Zelda's Tingle Creator Wants Masi Oka of Heroes Fame to Play Tingle in Movie

The creator of the eccentric Zelda character Tingle, Takaya Imamura, has revealed his top choice to portray the character in the upcoming live-action Zelda film! Discover his surprising pick below.

Takaya Imamura's Ideal Tingle Casting Choice for the Zelda Movie

Forget Jason Momoa and Jack Black – Imamura's Choice is Unexpected

The highly anticipated Legend of Zelda movie has generated countless questions. Who will wield the Master Sword? What will Zelda's attire be? But amidst the speculation surrounding Link and Zelda, one question burns brightly: will the balloon-loving Tingle appear, and if so, who should play him? Takaya Imamura has offered his definitive answer.

In a recent VGC interview, Imamura stated, "Masi Oka. You know the TV series Heroes? The Japanese character who yells ‘yatta!’ – I’d like him to do it."

Oka, renowned for his memorable portrayal of Hiro Nakamura in Heroes, possesses a diverse acting portfolio. From action-packed roles in Bullet Train and The Meg to the critically acclaimed Hawaii Five-O reboot, Oka's comedic timing and infectious energy seem perfectly suited to Tingle's unique personality. His signature "yatta!" pose from Heroes even bears a striking resemblance to Tingle's poses in some artwork.

Whether director Wes Ball will heed Imamura's suggestion, or even include Tingle in the film, remains uncertain. However, Ball's description of the film as a "live-action Miyazaki" film suggests a whimsical tone that might accommodate Tingle's eccentric balloon-selling antics. The possibility remains.

Announced in November 2023, the Legend of Zelda live-action movie is directed by Wes Ball and produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad. Ball expressed his commitment in March 2024, stating, "I want to fulfill people’s greatest desires… I know it’s important, this [Zelda] franchise, to people and I want it to be a serious movie."

For further details on the Legend of Zelda live-action film, explore our related article!