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

Tingle creator Takaya Imamura has a surprising choice for who should play the eccentric character in the upcoming live-action Zelda movie! Read on to discover his ideal casting.

Takaya Imamura's Dream Tingle: A Zelda Movie Casting Choice

Forget Jason Momoa and Jack Black – Imamura's Pick is…

The upcoming Legend of Zelda movie has fans buzzing with questions. Who will wield the Master Sword? What will Princess Zelda's attire be? But beyond Link and Zelda, a crucial question remains: will the balloon-loving Tingle appear, and if so, who could possibly embody his unique spirit? Takaya Imamura, Tingle's creator, has revealed his top choice.

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

Oka, best known 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, Oka's comedic timing and infectious energy seem perfectly suited to Tingle's boundless enthusiasm. 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 Zelda movie as a "live-action Miyazaki" film suggests a whimsical tone, potentially aligning with Tingle's eccentric balloon-selling antics.

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 to the franchise 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 more on the Legend of Zelda live-action film, check out our related article!