The Legend of Zelda is, at once, an excellent and terrible candidate for a video game movie. It’s a massive, sweeping, epic fantasy that would probably play out brilliantly on the big screen with the right execution. On the other hand, it’s such an iconic series that everyone in the world has a different vision of the finished product. One of the most fascinating elements of the Zelda movie is its implications for a wider Nintendo film franchise.
Video game movies have a long and terrible history. One of the most common failures of the genre used to be setting aside large elements of the source material. Movies would find new tones, presentations, and inspirations to carry the game to the screen. Take the original Super Mario Bros. movie. It’s a bizarre cyberpunk action comedy with few links to the original games. While more recent adaptations seem to capture the spirit of the games, they still aren’t as adventurous as they could be with their selections.
The Legend of Zelda Will Be a Unique Video Game Movie
There are a lot of different ways to tackle The Legend of Zelda movie. The key will likely be capturing the epic nature of the source material. It’s a series about exploration. The audience should discover the world through fresh eyes, immersing themselves through sight and sound. There are over a dozen stories the filmmakers could tell. The tone isn’t set in stone, but magic and wonder should be the dominant emotions. This isn’t a totally new horizon for video game movies, but it remains an ambitious goal. Duncan Jones’ 2016 Warcraft movie sought to introduce newcomers to a familiar fantasy world through a new medium. The Legend of Zelda will hopefully accomplish that goal a bit more impressively than Warcraft. The tone will be critical in this endeavor.
The Legend of Zelda movie may be a lot of things, but it should be relatively serious. That term has unique connotations. The concept implies a grim tone, mature subject matter, or a distinct lack of fun. One might picture Game of Thrones with the occasional set of elf ears or unique fantasy species. In this case, the term should refer to a sense of grounded realism within the context of the world of Hyrule. Hyrule operates on a distinct logic and set of rules. The Legend of Zelda movie should feel like an exploration of a real ecosystem. It should not be a goofy kids movie more concerned with making jokes and selling toys than it is with storytelling. Nintendo’s first and only modern film project provides a perfect example of what not to do.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is a Bad Example
Sure, the Mario movie looks good and features a few fun sequences. It is not, however, serious in its attempt to adapt the source material. It’s a family-friendly romp, capitalizing on the brand recognition of its central characters. The pop songs, weak comedy, and constant movement suggest nothing so much as a standard-issue kids’ movie. It’s just as notable for what it lacks as for what it features. The film lacks any notable character development, avoids making choices at every turn, and bears the usual signs of Nintendo being risk-averse. The Legend of Zelda can’t exist under the same circumstances. Whatever the film does, it has to do with the genuine spirit of creativity that contributed to most of the franchise. It can’t just be another cash-in with enjoyable animation and suitable callbacks. It has to be a sincere translation of the source material. If The Legend of Zelda is willing to take that risk, it could open the door to several future Nintendo projects.
Other Nintendo Movies that can Follow The Legend of Zelda Movie
If The Legend of Zelda works out and proves that Nintendo can handle other tones in its films, it opens doors to a wide variety of options. Here are just a few potential future Nintendo movies:
- Metroid: Nintendo probably won’t reach for an R-rating and attempt to make something in the vein of Ridley Scott’s Alien. They could, however, make a PG-13 action horror film with a similar aesthetic and several moments that leave young viewers’ jaws on the floor.
- F-Zero: Someone needs to make this movie about radical spacefaring bounty hunters participating in the most dangerous race in the galaxy. It’s Redline in live-action with a few killer hand-to-hand combat scenes. This franchise hasn’t been treated well over the years, but it deserves a win.
- Star Fox: The tale of a team of anthropomorphic animals who pilot interstellar fighter jets against armies of robots feels like it should have been a film franchise ages ago. It might fit an anime series better than it would a major motion picture.
- Fire Emblem: Speaking of anime, this classic tactical RPG features several beloved anime archetypes and a variety of unique stories. Imagine watching the big-budget version of one of those turn-based army fights on the big screen.
- Splatoon: This one probably should still be a kids’ movie, but it could be one of the weirdest kids’ movies of all time. Let the cyberpunk future feature all the squids and kids it can possibly pack in.
The Legend of Zelda deserves a sincere, genuine cinematic portrayal that sells what people love about the franchise. If Nintendo is willing to take the risk on that project, they’ll have the goodwill they need to move into unfamiliar territory. Some video game series are less sure bets, but they could still make great movies. Nintendo could easily make money off of young audiences with another dozen bland, predictable, and pointless adaptations that thrive on aesthetics. The Legend of Zelda could break that habit and encourage Nintendo to continue.
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