Takaya Imamura, the creator of the eccentric Zelda character Tingle, has revealed his top choice to portray the character in the upcoming live-action film: Masi Oka, known for his role in the TV series Heroes.
Imamura's ideal casting choice for Tingle was shared in a recent interview with VGC. He specifically mentioned Oka's "yatta!" exclamation and enthusiastic portrayal of Hiro Nakamura in Heroes as fitting Tingle's energetic personality. Oka's diverse acting career, ranging from action films like Bullet Train and The Meg to the acclaimed Hawaii Five-O, showcases his comedic timing and boundless energy—qualities perfectly suited to Tingle's unique character. The resemblance between Oka's signature pose and Tingle's artwork further solidifies Imamura's choice.
While director Wes Ball's consideration of this suggestion remains uncertain, Ball's description of the Zelda movie as a "live-action Miyazaki" film hints at a potential inclusion of Tingle, given the whimsical nature of Miyazaki's works. Tingle's balloon-selling antics could certainly add to this whimsical element.
Announced in November 2023, the live-action Legend of Zelda movie is directed by Wes Ball and produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad. Ball's commitment to creating a "serious" and impactful adaptation of the franchise adds another layer of intrigue to the potential casting of Tingle. Will Oka's infectious energy bring Tingle to life on the big screen? Only time will tell.
