Highlights
- Nintendo secures a live-action The Legend of Zelda film with Sony Pictures after the success of Illumination's Super Mario Bros. Movie.
- Fans hope Sony chooses the right game to base the Zelda film on, considering games like Ocarina of Time and Twilight Princess as potential options.
- The Zelda movie should capture the coming-of-age story of protagonist Link, with relatable themes for young viewers, and showcase the strong and adventurous character of Princess Zelda.
After the incredible success of Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, many Nintendo fans expected movie studios to seize on the opportunity and adapt one of the company's many other iconic franchises. Thankfully, Nintendo's cinematic future has already been secured, with Sony Pictures producing a live-action The Legend of Zelda film.
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Directed by Wes Ball of The Maze Runner series, fans have high expectations for a Zelda film, especially a live-action one, following the success of Nintendo's animation with Mario. Although with Miyamoto involved there will be little to worry about, these are ten things fans hope Sony doesn't get wrong about this beloved adventure franchise on screen.
10 Which Game Should It Be Based On?
The Zelda Franchise Has Taken On Many Forms
When contemplating the idea of a potential Zelda movie, there are a few games in the franchise that fans might think of first. The obvious choice is the Nintendo 64's Ocarina of Time, seen as one of the greatest video games ever made and a fundamental entry in the series' current interpretation. However, there are other options Sony could go with.
The Wind Waker and Breath of the Wild would be easy choices, but considering the determination to make this Zelda movie live-action, those games might seem too cartoonish. Twilight Princess could be the most accurate reference point for what a grounded fantasy world of Hyrule might look like on the big screen, in both tone and aesthetic.
9 Link's Story Is A Coming Of Age Tale
Zelda Is All About Change
Several names have already been thrown out in regard to casting the mute hero of Hyrule, from the MCU's Tom Holland to Walker Scobell, who is set to play Percy Jackson in the upcoming Disney+ series. There's also the matter of whether Sony will cast dual roles for a younger and older Link to represent the passage of time in games like Ocarina of Time.
No matter if time travel is a plot device in the Zelda movie or not, the games' stories often revolve around Link's coming-of-age. Whether it's transitioning from a farm boy to a realm-crossing hero in Twilight Princess, or literally aging in Ocarina of Time, or even just adjusting to a changed world in Breath of the Wild, Link's story should be relatable to young people.
8 Zelda Is Both Elegant And Fierce
A Damsel In Distress Who Gets Put To The Test
There have been many interpretations of Princess Zelda throughout the franchise. Some games, like Twilight Princess, depict her as the regal figurehead of Hyrule. Others, like Ocarina of Time and The Wind Waker, show that Zelda can assume alter egos and isn't scared of a little adventure, especially when the fate of Hyrule depends on it.
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Nintendo has already done a good job of turning their damsels into heroes with Princess Peach in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, so hopefully Zelda follows suit. Plus, some fans are eager to see Euphoria star Hunter Schafer take on the role of Princess Zelda, considering how much the actress resembles the character's on-screen appearances.
7 Ganondorf Has Charm For A Villain
Who Can Nail That Iconic Smirk?
Fans will expect Ganondorf to be a much more sinister villain than Jack Black's goofy Bowser was in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Although Ganondorf's motives include a hunger for power, and he is known to be ruthless in his determination to steal the Triforce, he's also a cunning character, and often uses his charisma to lure in allies, such as Hyrule's king.
Thankfully, some fans have had great ideas as to who should don the role of Ganondorf in the film. Ron Perlman has experience intimidating people on-screen playing characters like Hellboy, though other fans have floated Idris Elba as another potential cast member. Elba has already shown interest in video game adaptations by playing Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
6 The Many Races Of Hyrule
Hyrule Is A Densely Populated Land
Aside from the main trio of Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf, fans may also expect Sony to introduce live-action versions of Hyrule's most notable races. The Gerudo, Zora, and Goron are among those who appear in almost every iteration of the Zelda franchise, but there are also races like Rito, Korok, and Zonai who have played huge roles in recent games.
If there are plans to tell a Zelda story fans haven't heard yet, many would likely be interested in seeing a film that centers on the Sheikah tribe. For a long time, Sheikah appeared briefly in the series as a long-extinct race in Hyrule, but Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom depict them as still thriving. Perhaps the Zelda movie will prominently feature them.
5 Recurring Faces From The Games Of The Past
The Iconic Zelda Characters We Need To See Appear
Aside from the many tribes and races of Hyrule that have appeared in numerous games, there are also individual characters who fans would love to see make the transition to live-action. Some of the obvious ones include Impa, Zelda's personal bodyguard, and the Great Deku Tree, guardian of the Kokiri Forest and Link's former father figure in Ocarina of Time.
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Another face fans might be desperate to see is Tingle, who canonically is a 35-year-old man who is desperate to be a Kokiri and has gotten several spin-offs throughout the series. Tingle's presence could obviously be more comedic relief than is necessary to the plot, but it would still be great to see the character be paid tribute to in the live-action film.
4 Hyrule Isn't Always A Dark Place
The Legend Of Zelda Should Be A Fun Film
As games like Majora's Mask and Twilight Princess might suggest to some fans, The Legend of Zelda can be a fairly twisted and sinister series, encompassing horror-esque moments and dark themes. However, many other titles in the series are very lighthearted, such as the bright, open seas of The Wind Waker or the peculiar NPCs of Breath of the Wild.
For a film to accurately capture the aesthetic and charm of The Legend of Zelda, there will have to be a bit of balance to satisfy all fans. Those who love the darkness of Twilight Princess will want dramatic action and stakes, while those who love The Wind Waker will want to see the silly side of Hyrule from time to time.
3 Iconic Music All Over The Movie
The Soundtrack Could Be More Popular Than The Film Itself
The Super Mario Bros. Movie does a great job of representing some iconic musical moments from the Mario franchise. Courtesy of Brian Tyler's score, there are musical interpretations of the original theme song, the "DK Rap" from Donkey Kong 64, and Mario Kart-themed tracks. However, the film also has original music, such as Jack Black's "Peaches."
For a film based on The Legend of Zelda, it will be just as important to do justice to the franchise's musical history. Tracks like "Saria's Song" and "Gerudo Valley" will be key moments fans look for, while leitmotifs like the puzzle-solving jingle should also appear at some point. Perhaps a live-action Link will also show off his musical prowess with the ocarina.
2 Where Does It Take Place On The Timeline?
Zelda Fans Love Their Lore
Many Zelda fans have spent years debating the validity and inconsistencies of the official Zelda timeline, which was finally established by Nintendo upon the release of Skyward Sword for the Nintendo Wii. While it clarified many convoluted aspects of Zelda lore, it has also been completely done away with as of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
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Since the Zelda timeline is a bit in disarray, Nintendo could utilize a live-action The Legend of Zelda movie to either reset it or clarify things fans have always been confused by. This will also make the film a great entry point for new fans, reintroducing the characters, the world, and its origins to those who have never played a Zelda game before.
1 The Promise Of Live-Action Miyazaki
Will Sony Regret Their Words?
There will be a lot of pressure on director Wes Ball to get The Legend of Zelda right, especially given the ambition of Sony to produce a live-action film as opposed to an animated one with Illumination. Ball has already over-delivered on fan expectations, referring to their plans for the film as a "live-action Miyazaki film," which certainly sets the bar high.
While some Zelda fans might prefer a 2D animated Zelda film that literally resembles Miyazaki's work like Howl's Moving Castle or Princess Mononoke, Sony will have a lot of fans keep happy with this film. Given how well Illumination did with The Super Mario Bros. Movie, getting Zelda right will require them to live up to Ball's ambitious promise.
