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

Tingle's creator, Takaya Imamura, has revealed his top choice to play the eccentric character in the upcoming live-action Zelda movie! Discover his ideal casting below.

Takaya Imamura's Dream Tingle: A Revelation

Forget Jason Momoa and Jack Black—the speculation surrounding the Legend of Zelda movie is rampant, covering everything from Link's Master Sword to Zelda's attire. But one question burns brighter than most: will Tingle appear, and if so, who could possibly fill those green tights? Takaya Imamura has spoken, and his choice is… surprising.

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

Oka, famous for his memorable role as Hiro Nakamura in Heroes, boasts a diverse filmography. From action hits like Bullet Train and The Meg to the acclaimed Hawaii Five-O reboot, his comedic timing and infectious energy seem perfectly suited to Tingle’s unique brand of manic enthusiasm. The resemblance between Oka's signature "yatta!" pose and Tingle's poses in certain artwork further strengthens the case.

Whether director Wes Ball will heed Imamura's suggestion, or even include Tingle at all, remains to be seen. However, Ball's description of the film as a "live-action Miyazaki" film hints at a potential whimsical tone that could accommodate Tingle's balloon-selling antics. Hope remains!

Announced in November 2023, the Legend of Zelda live-action movie is being directed by Wes Ball and produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad. Ball himself stated in March 2024, "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 more on the Legend of Zelda live-action film, check out our related article!