Last year, in line with the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., Nintendo confirmed it has plans for a Mario animated movie. Set to be co-produced by Universal and Illumination (the team behind the Minions films), this full-length feature is scheduled to be released in 2022, so is just around the corner. Moreover, this confirmation has gotten fans thinking: if Mario got a movie for his 35th birthday, will Link get the same treatment for his? On top of that, will his latest adventure, Breath Of The Wild be the inspiration?
Indeed, 2021 is the 35th anniversary of the original Legend of Zelda game, so many industry insiders have been predicting a big-screen adaptation for a while now. Rumors of various Zelda-related projects have been circulating online for years (including a Netflix series and even a version starring Tom Holland), but many believe that this is finally the time for Hollywood to visit Hyrule. Furthermore, given the unprecedented critical and commercial response to 2017’s Breath of the Wild, the majority of fans are hoping studios will choose this game as their inspiration. So, assuming that the film will primarily borrow from BOTW and that it will be live-action, here are who fans are hoping will bring the game’s key characters to life.
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A firm fan-favorite for a while now, Thomas Brodie-Sangster has been the front-runner for the role of protagonist Link ever since he rose to prominence as Jojen Reed in Game of Thrones. Gifted with the same quasi-Elf-like features as the Hyrulian hero, many feel that Brodie-Sangster looks so similar to Link, it would be an utter waste not to cast him.
Moreover, Brodie-Sangster has the acting chops to back it up. Whether as Reed in Game of Thrones, Benny Watts in The Queen’s Gambit, or even Ferb in Phineas and Ferb, the actor has had a prodigious career of quiet-yet-endearing characters, perfectly suiting him to wield the Triforce of Courage.
An up-and-comer in Hollywood, Thomasin has nevertheless made a splash through a series of impressive roles. First gaining steam in 2018’s Leave No Trace, the actress has since appeared in 2019’s Jojo Rabbit, and will have a big part in Edgar Wright’s upcoming Last Night in Soho. With these great performances under her belt, many feel she would be fantastic as Zelda.
Indeed, like Brodie-Sangster, she too sports Elf-like features that would seemingly make her at-home in Hyrule. This uncanny appearance, paired with her phenomenal acting ability, has made the 20-year-old a favorite for the part.
Ostensibly the youngest of the Champions of Hyrule, Mipha is the custodian of the Divine Beast Vah Ruta, and the princess of the Zora people. Modest and even a little shy, the actress lending their voice to Mipha would need to be able to convey the character’s youth and timidity.
So, who better than Kiersey Clemons? The young American actress first came to fame through the 2015 film Dope, but has plenty of experience voice-acting through roles like Darling in 2019’s Lady and the Tramp, and Dee Dee Skyes in 2020’s Scoob!. Given the pedigree of her vocal talents, Clemons would be a top choice for Mipha.
The Gerudo Champion who pilots the Divine Beast Vah Nabouris, Urbosa is a no-nonsense powerhouse; a truly intimidating force. Unafraid to challenge both Calamity Ganon and the annoying Yiga Clan, the character deserves someone equally fearsome to voice her.
Having played Gamora, Uhura, and Neytiri in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Star Trek (2009), and Avatar (2009), respectively, Zoe Saldana is the obvious choice. With a long and impressive history of playing female, no-nonsense characters, Saldaña brings charisma and expertise to the role in a way that few others could.
Easily the most annoying and arrogant of the Hyrule Champions, Revali is the Rito pilot of the Divine Beast Vah Medoh. Competitive, sardonic, and weirdly British, the character is incredibly memorable, and needs a voice actor who can deliver on these pivotal qualities.
With experience being competitive and sardonic (and yes – even British) in films like Starter for 10 (2006) and Atonement (2007) and series like Sherlock (2010), Benedict Cumberbatch is a pitch-perfect choice for Revali. Throughout his career, Cumberbatch has brought irritating but engaging characters to life, so the Rito archer so be no worry for him
As boisterous and loud as he is large, Daruk is the Goron Champion of the Divine Beast Vah Rudania. With a booming voice and cheery outlook, the actor lending his vocal talents to this Goron needs to possess a distinctive style and a witty turn of phrase.
So, obviously, the top choice should be Danny DeVito. With comedy experience through shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and voice acting experience through films like Space Jam (1996), Hercules (1997), and The Lorax (2012), DeVito is a super solid choice for Daruk… plus it would be immensely funny to imagine a character as big as Daruk being voiced by someone as small as DeVito!
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