YouTube superstar and 100 Thieves co-owner Rachell “Valkyrae” Hofstetter has spoken out about her surprising absence from the highly anticipated Minecraft movie, revealing details that stunned fans and raised eyebrows about the behind-the-scenes process.

What was meant to be a high-profile cameo in one of 2025’s most talked-about releases has turned into a cautionary tale about the unpredictability of Hollywood.

A Promising Cameo Cut Down to Seconds

In a recent livestream, Valkyrae candidly addressed questions about her involvement in the upcoming Minecraft movie, which stars Jason Momoa and is slated for release on April 4, 2025. Though she had traveled to New Zealand to film her part and spent ten days on set, the final result was far from what anyone expected.

“Let’s just say I’m not gonna touch too much on it,” Valkyrae began, trying to remain diplomatic. “As much as you guys saw the other creators that were in it… it would have been the equal amount that you saw me in it. Which is, like, 30 seconds.”

Yes, just 30 seconds. Despite the long shoot, travel, and preparation, Valkyrae’s screen time was reduced to a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance. Rather than express anger, she remained composed and even grateful, stating, “I would much rather not have that 30 seconds than be sued. So, it’s all good.”

New Zealand Shoot Was a Silver Lining

Despite the disappointment, Valkyrae described the filming experience in New Zealand as a silver lining. She emphasized how grateful she was to visit the country and shared that the overall experience, though brief on film, was memorable.

“It really was a wonderful ten days in New Zealand for that 30 seconds,” she said with a laugh. “And I’m really glad I got to visit New Zealand. I feel like things could have been so much worse, you know what I mean? So that’s all I’m gonna say about it.”

Her attempt to remain upbeat couldn’t hide the undercurrent of frustration and confusion that fans picked up on. Many were shocked to hear that one of YouTube’s most influential creators was left nearly invisible in what should have been a major pop culture event.

Not Minecraft’s Fault, Valkyrae Clarifies

In a surprising twist, Valkyrae went out of her way to absolve the production team and the film studio of any blame. “It’s not even Minecraft,” she clarified. “It is not. It’s not even their fault. Don’t even worry. Don’t worry.”

She even defended the film itself from online critics. “No, the movie did not suck. I thought it was good. I actually thought it was good,” she insisted. “They had a lot of Easter eggs… It’s a cute Minecraft movie.”

Behind-the-Scenes Tensions: Jason Momoa’s Alleged Behavior Raises Concerns

While Valkyrae refrained from directly criticizing the production team for cutting her role, she did recount a more troubling incident on set involving the film’s star, Jason Momoa.

During a separate conversation, Valkyrae revealed that she witnessed Momoa yelling at crew members after an emotional scene didn’t go as planned. According to her, the actor was upset over a technical issue with the shot setup, which created a tense and uncomfortable environment for the cast and crew.

“It was pretty disappointing,” she reportedly said, suggesting that the atmosphere on set was at times difficult to endure. While she stopped short of accusing Momoa of ongoing misconduct, her remarks painted a picture of a shoot that wasn’t always as smooth as the final product might suggest.

A Missed Opportunity in a Massive Release

The Minecraft movie, expected to be one of the biggest family films of the year, is a monumental project built around the beloved video game franchise. With Jason Momoa leading the cast and a host of popular online creators originally intended to appear, Valkyrae’s cameo could have bridged gaming and cinema in a major way.

Instead, fans are left wondering what could have been.

Though Valkyrae took the high road, the situation serves as a reminder of how unpredictable the entertainment industry can be, even for the biggest names on the internet. Her experience, though handled with grace, left many fans stunned and sympathetic, questioning how such a small role came from such a major effort.

For now, Valkyrae seems content with having turned the experience into a personal journey rather than a professional milestone. “It’s all good,” she repeated, her signature optimism still intact with the disappointment clearly beneath the surface.

Fans React with Outrage and Support

Across social media, fans flooded Valkyrae with messages of support and outrage. Many questioned the decision-making behind cutting her role down to mere seconds, especially given her global influence and dedicated following.

One fan on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Ten days for thirty seconds? Valkyrae deserved better.” Others echoed the sentiment, with one user adding, “Imagine flying to another country, filming for a major movie, and then getting edited out. I’d be furious.”

While Valkyrae has chosen to move on gracefully, it’s clear that her supporters are still grappling with the industry’s sometimes harsh realities.

The Minecraft Movie: Still a Box Office Contender

Despite the drama, early buzz around the Minecraft movie remains strong. The film reportedly includes countless Easter eggs for longtime fans of the game and is being positioned as a fun, family-friendly blockbuster. Whether Valkyrae’s cameo will make the final cut or be extended in a possible director’s cut remains to be seen.

But for now, one thing is clear. Even in just 30 seconds, Valkyrae managed to make waves.