The Legend of Zelda turned 40 this week. Nintendo marked the anniversary with limited merchandise in select regions and nothing else. No game announcements. No updates on the live-action movie. Other franchises get events and reveals for milestone birthdays. Zelda got a quiet Tuesday.
Patricia Summersett, who has voiced Princess Zelda since The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, spoke about her nearly decade-long run with the character. She returned for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and spinoffs like Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment. Her version of Zelda is the first fully voiced portrayal in the mainline series.
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How Summersett landed the role
When Summersett auditioned for Zelda, she had no idea what she was reading for. The script was scrubbed clean of identifying details, a casting tactic known as a "bleached script." She got broad character archetypes and genre hints, but no names. Because Zelda had never been fully voiced before, there was nothing to connect the audition to the franchise.
Zelda's British-influenced accent was Summersett's call, not Nintendo's. She studied in London and thought the accent fit a fantasy royal. She calls it a "Hylian accent" to separate it from any real-world region. Nintendo didn't ask for it. She just showed up with it.
Her take on the live-action movie
The live-action Zelda film is still in development. Bo Bragason is attached to the project. Summersett said she expects the film will deliver a strong take on the character, with input from both longtime fans and people new to the series.
Summersett thinks audiences will see a capable, central Zelda. She also mentioned the speculation around Link, specifically whether the traditionally silent hero will talk in the movie. Nothing has been confirmed yet.
The Link and Zelda relationship question
Summersett clarified her stance after previous comments were misread online. She has personal theories about Link and Zelda's relationship, but she thinks the ambiguity is deliberate. The games never confirm it one way or the other.
Across multiple Zelda games, Link and Zelda share trust, loyalty, and responsibility. Romantic undertones appear sometimes but are never explicit. Summersett said the openness lets fans interpret the bond however they want. At conventions, she's seen fans use the pairing in engagement proposals. Others see them as close partners without romance.
A fan first, voice actor second
Summersett played Zelda games before she voiced Zelda. She calls Breath of the Wild her personal favorite and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time foundational to her understanding of the series. She also lists the original The Legend of Zelda and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess among her top entries.
She went deep on Twilight Princess. While preparing for Breath of the Wild, she studied Hylian script in the companion book Hyrule Historia. She learned to write in the Twilight Princess version of the alphabet and now uses it when signing autographs.
What's next for Zelda at 40
The franchise is entering its fifth decade with no major announcements. The live-action film is still in progress, but details remain scarce. Interest in the series hasn't dropped. The recent mainline games performed well, and fan engagement is steady.
Summersett's perspective comes from both sides: professional involvement and longtime fandom. She's spent nearly a decade voicing Zelda for a new generation of players, even as the series continues to shift.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there a live-action Legend of Zelda movie in development?
Yes. A live-action Zelda movie is in development. Bo Bragason is attached. Plot details and production updates remain limited.
Will Link speak in the Zelda live-action movie?
Nothing confirmed. Link is silent in the games. The movie's approach to the character hasn't been detailed.
Are Link and Zelda officially dating in the games?
No. The games show a deep bond rooted in trust and shared destiny. Romantic undertones appear sometimes, but their relationship is left open to interpretation.
Who voices Princess Zelda in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom?
Patricia Summersett voices Princess Zelda in Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and related spinoffs.
What are Patricia Summersett's favorite Zelda games?
Summersett lists Breath of the Wild, Ocarina of Time, the original Legend of Zelda, and Twilight Princess among her favorites.
