The upcoming live-action film adaptation ofThe Legend of Zeldais set to bring one of the most popular video game series of all time to the big screen, and given Nintendo’s track record, it is likely to be a huge success when released. Speculation has run rampant as to who will play the games' most iconic characters, such as Link, Zelda, and Ganon.
However, there is more to The Legend of Zelda than just those three names, and several important side characters are likely to fill out the cast. While it’s possible original characters will be created just for the movie, there are several supporting players from the games who could make the jump to theaters.
Debut
The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (2000)
The short, green-clad Tingle made his debut in The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, where he gives Link maps to help him find his way around Termina. Since then, he has been a recurring ally throughout the series, and has given Link advice and items which have been helpful on his journeys. In fact, this colorful character has oftenoutshined the mute heroin his appearances.
His popularity in his native Japan even led to him starring in a number of spin-off games for the Nintendo DS. However, his lighthearted personality was less well-received by western audiences, and said spin-offs were never released elsewhere as a result. Like in the games, Tingle could provide a good sense of comic relief should he be included in the movie.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998)
Saria, a green-haired member of the Kokiri Tribe, is Link’s childhood best friend in Ocarina of Time. In the game, she gives Link the Fairy Ocarina, which he uses to contact her by playing a melody she teaches him called Saria’s Song. Saria’s Song would go on to become one of the most recognizable songs in the Zelda series, so it would be fitting for its namesake to appear in the movie.
Link’s backstory will be a crucial source of exposition for a film adaptation, and Saria is the perfect character to be an early ally towards Link, and later a key motivator in his journey. And fans of the game know there’s a great pay-off for her arc should it be explored.
Mido, the leader of the Kokiri, is introduced in Ocarina of Time as a rival and bully to Link. In the game, he is constantly taunting and belittling the Hero of Time, and is willing to blame him if anything bad happens. Part of that animosity is because Mido is in love with Saria, who prefers Link over him.
Mido’s bullying is a source of motivation for our protagonist, as his doubts about Link’s abilities encourages him to find a sword and shield and fight his way through the Great Deku Tree. Completing that mission and proving Mido wrong provides both Link and the player with a great sense of catharsis, and the movie could do so too with a similar set-up.
The Legend of Zelda (1986)
Impa is themost reoccurring character in the series outside the main trio, and is often seen as Zelda’s nurse or bodyguard. Her portrayal varies across her numerous incarnations, from being a muscular woman in Ocarina of Time to a short, old lady in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Whenever Zelda is captured by Ganon, Impa is usually the person who informs Link about her. The films will likely do the same should she appear, and she’ll provide countless words of wisdom for the boy in green. It’s also possible, like in the Hyrule Warriors games, that she’ll be part of the action as well.
Navi, the fairy who accompanies Link on his journey in Ocarina of Time, has given players countless helpful hints. However, those same fans have been less than receptive to her advice, as her constant shouting of “Hey! Listen!” whenever she has something to say can get on people’s nerves fast.
Regardless, there is still a role for Navi in a Zelda movie, as she’ll likely be someone Link can talk to whenever he is lost and alone. And while it’s possible to play her straight as a helpful friend, the writers also have the option to lean into her infamous reputation and play up her more annoying attributes.
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (1987)
While Hyrule’s royal family has usually focused on the titular Princess Zelda, her father has also been an important player occasionally. His portrayals have varied across different games, from his King of Red Lions boat form being a father figure to Link in the Wind Waker, to the internet-immortalized comic relief of King Harkinian from the Zelda CD-i games.
An alternate route was to make him an ineffectual or antagonistic ruler whose decisions harm his kingdom and empower the villains. Ocarina of Time explored this when the king’s dismissive attitude toward Zelda’s warnings forced the princess to take leadership of her own, expanding her character beyond just being a damsel in distress.
Nabooru is a member of the Gerudo tribe, which Ganondorf belongs to, in Ocarina of Time. Despite their shared heritage, she has no loyalty towards the would-be tyrant and is the leader of a Gerudo resistance against him.
After Link’s time-jump, Nabooru has been brainwashed by Ganondorf, and is now an axe-wielding soldier known as an Iron Knuckle. After Link defeats it and the evil Twinrova, she is freed from its curse. A similar story could play out on the big screen, should an adaptation of Ocarina of Time happen.
While originally introduced in Ocarina of Time, it is the game’s sequel, Majora’s Mask, where the Skull Kid really shined. Between the events of the two games, the Skull Kid discovered the titular mask and wascorrupted by its power. He then summons the moon to drop over the land of Termina in three days, and it’s up to Link to save the day.
While a Majora’s Mask movie likely won’t come before Ocarina of Time is adapted, the films could do what the games did and tease the next installment by setting up a story about the Skull Kid, and use a post-credits scene to show him finding Majora’s Mask.
