Should Link Speak in a Zelda Movie?

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This has been a question asked by thousands of Zelda fans, should Link speak in future games or even a possible movie? There have actually been a few occasions in games such as “The Adventure of Link” and the unofficial CDi titles in which he did in fact speak. In Zelda II, it was only small dialogue in text forms in which he would state, “I found a mirror under this table” and while reading a sign in old Kasuto town stating “strange, it seems deserted.” He had an actual voice actor in one of the CDi Zelda titles throughout the entire game. Here are some clips from the game Faces of Evil, please note that this game is unofficial.

Many of you would also remember how Link speaks in the classic Legend of Zelda cartoons. I for one am alright with Link having a voice in the cartoons, it brought out Link’s personality and made the series enjoyable to watch. If you are curious about the voice acting done in the cartoons, watch this small clip below.

But besides all of that, Link has always been known to be the silent type in all the video games. Even the creator Shigeru Miyamoto has stated, he wants the player to feel as if they are Link themselves in the game, part of the reason they named him Link, for players to link to the game. So how would that be done in a movie? Should we keep Link silent in a sense that the viewers feel themselves as Link as they watch the movie. However it would be pretty hard to pull it off when Link goes and speaks with townspeople for help and hints on what to do next. There is always the option of treating Link as a deaf mute in which he has to acquire and present messages to everyone in the game. But I feel Link would need some sort of personality and I truly think he would need a very good voice actor for the job.

I really do not think if Link spoke in a live action flick then his persona of being Link would be taken away. What are your thoughts on the matter? This topic is an open discussion article for everyone!

  • The Wanderer

    I believe Link should speak unless the director is incredibly talented at making even a mute a deep character with understandable emotions and goals. The reason Link is mute in the games is to make players feel more like they’re in his shoes, solving puzzles, defeating monsters, and exploring a new world. There are no players for a movie; Link acts on his own apart from outsider input. Without dialogue or specific actions, Link becomes a highly uninteresting protagonist with whom the audience can’t relate to.

    If Link was mute (and my following idea is growing on me more and more), the movie shouldn’t take itself too seriously – as, in fact, many Zelda fan movies are dark and morbid. If it’s an epic tale about grit and determination in a cold, harsh kingdom overrun by Ganon, Link’s reticence and lack of expression would make him bland and boring. Even if he WAS expressive in this setting, it would seem too out of place. But if the movie makes regular use of humor (without necessarily being a comedy) and gives Link expression and almost-exaggerated reactions without words, he could be an amusing character the audience would care for. I’d very much like a deep setting with its serious and mature moments, but frequent levity would enable a silent Link to show his emotions without speaking. It could work.

    But for a serious work intending to develop Link’s character in a typical format, Link would have to talk to be interesting. If he was silent, the movie would have to remain fairly lighthearted.