Tingle Movie Casting: 'Heroes' Star Masi Oka Eyed for Role

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! Find out who he envisions bringing Tingle to life.

Takaya Imamura's Ideal Tingle Casting for the Zelda Movie

Forget Jason Momoa and Jack Black – Imamura's pick is quite different.

The highly anticipated Legend of Zelda movie has fans buzzing with questions. Who will wield the Master Sword? What will Zelda's attire be? But beyond Link and Zelda, another crucial question looms: will the balloon-loving Tingle appear, and if so, who should play him? Imamura recently shared his perfect choice.

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

Oka, famous for his memorable role as Hiro Nakamura in Heroes, possesses the comedic timing and infectious energy perfectly suited to Tingle's unique personality. His signature "yatta!" exclamation and poses even bear a striking resemblance to Tingle's iconic style. Since Heroes and its sequel, Oka has showcased his versatility in various films and shows, from action-packed movies like Bullet Train and The Meg to the critically acclaimed Hawaii Five-O reboot.

Whether director Wes Ball will heed Imamura's suggestion or even include Tingle remains uncertain. However, Ball's description of the film as a "live-action Miyazaki" movie suggests a whimsical tone that could accommodate Tingle's eccentric 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's commitment to creating a "serious movie" that fulfills fans' expectations adds intrigue to the possibility of Tingle's inclusion.

For further updates on the Legend of Zelda live-action film, check out our related article!