

This week has been filled to the brim with game anniversaries: [Stardew Valley](https://kotaku.com/stardew-valley-marriage-candidates-new-update-1-7-qi-2000674093) reached its 10th year, [Pokémon](https://kotaku.com/pokemon-day-30-anniversary-go-anime-cosplay-stream-2000672824) celebrated 30 years, and *The Legend of Zelda* marked its 40th anniversary — though one wouldn’t fault you for overlooking that last one. Zelda’s milestone earlier this week was observed with minimal excitement; no new games or remakes were revealed, nor any updates regarding the anticipated live-action film. The only offerings were some [miniature weapon replicas](https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-mostly-ignored-the-legend-of-zeldas-40th-anniversary-but-heres-some-toy-versions-of-classic-weapons), and even those are limited to select retailers in Japan.
As it seems Nintendo is too preoccupied with [celebrating Pokémon](https://kotaku.com/pokemon-presents-30-anniversary-stream-recap-winds-waves-2000674383), [IGN](https://www.ign.com/articles/as-zelda-turns-40-voice-actress-patricia-summersett-reveals-hopes-for-the-future-and-clarifies-her-thoughts-on-link-and-zeldas-gorgeous-relationship) has stepped in to honor the iconic Zelda franchise via an interview with the voice of Zelda, Patricia Summersett.
Summersett has been an ardent Zelda fan throughout her life and has provided the voice for Princess Zelda for the past decade. She has appeared in both *Breath of the Wild* and *Tears of the Kingdom*, in addition to the spin-offs *Age of Calamity* and *Age of Imprisonment*.
### Inside the Casting for Princess Zelda
When inquired about the audition process, Summersett shared that she was unaware she was auditioning for Princess Zelda: “The best way to describe it was as a bleached script, where you have a certain degree of information about the character archetypes and the general world — for instance, that it resembles an RPG fantasy — but you have no clue what the actual roles are or what the game is. There would have been no way to predict that it was Zelda since she had no voice before. I would never have guessed that was the game I was auditioning for.”
Summersett also clarifies that Zelda’s British accent was not specified by Nintendo, but rather a choice influenced by her education in London and Zelda’s royal lineage. “It’s somewhat easier to describe this as a Hylian accent rather than just a specific UK accent,” she states.
### Thoughts on the Live-Action Movie
Regarding the forthcoming [live-action Zelda adaptation](https://kotaku.com/zelda-live-action-movie-link-bragason-ainsworth-leak-2000644816), Summersett commented, “Clearly Bo Bragason is going to nail it, she will be fantastic. I’m thrilled to have participated in any way, despite not knowing where it’s going, apart from the fact that it’s been 10 years now. I’m just astonished that I’ve been part of this franchise for a quarter of that time.”
“Certainly [the movie] will be a significant collaboration between those new to the series and those who are well-versed in it. [I believe] you will witness a strong portrayal of Zelda. I’m sure there will be a strong lead character in Zelda. And Link, I have no clue, will he speak? They certainly haven’t hinted that he will, as of yet.”
### So, Are Link and Zelda Officially Dating? (No)
Previously, Summersett expressed her personal opinions on the dynamics of Link and Zelda’s relationship, which were later [misinterpreted](https://x.com/Summersett_/status/1660658772824530944) in a widely shared article. “I have various personal theories about what [their relationship] could entail, but I believe there’s something beautiful in the ambiguity; it remains in a sort of — if there are romantic hints, they exist in an unrequited manner. There’s undoubtedly a profound friendship and protectorship between them. It’s a beautiful relationship and continues to evolve while remaining open in numerous iterations of this.”
“And what that signifies for me, as someone who represents the character at events like conventions, is that anyone can approach me with their interpretation of what they view Link and Zelda to be. Much of it manifests in the form of couples.