Zelda movie makes worrying changes - if it gets made at all

Zelda movie makes worrying changes - if it gets made at all
Images via Nintendo

Written by 

Tom Chapman

Published 

18th Jul 2023 13:18

By now, we've come to accept that some sort of The Legend of Zelda movie or series is on the way. While those posters of Tom Holland, Emma Watson, and Idris Elba swinging their swords for a live-action adaptation turned out to be a bust, that doesn't mean we can't hear a melodic ocarina just over the horizon.

Following the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie breaking records, Nintendo is likely on the warpath when it comes to adapting its biggest IPs. Chris Pratt has pretty much confirmed a Mario sequel, and we know Brie Larson is ready for a Metroid movie, but that's nothing compared to the potential of a Zelda movie.

Zelda movie has some interesting rumours

Shocked Link Zelda Wind Waker
Click to enlarge
Nintendo

Despite whispers that Illumination is working on an animated Zelda movie in the vein of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, those at the top have downplayed the idea. After the idea caught on, Illumination CEO Chris Mellandri told The Wrap, "I don't know where that came from." Then again, he would say that.

Now, trusted Nintendo leaker Zippo is here with a smorgasbord of updates on where Illumination's potential slate of movies is up to. Posting on their site, Zippo claims the studio is moving ahead with a Luigi's Mansion spin-off for Charlie Day's character, as well as a Zelda movie.

We've heard all of this before, but it's the other details that have piqued our interest. Instead of focusing on a specific game from the Zelda verse, Zippo says the mythical movie will "be an amalgamation of very different Zelda games, rather than a straight adaption of like, say... Ocarina of Time, Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, etc."

Similar to The Super Mario Bros. Movie not trying to adapt a specific game like Super Mario 64 (we wish), a Zelda movie would be wise to tell an overall story with potential Easter eggs or characters from the franchise's impressive back catalogue. After all, this worked well for Universal's Sonic the Hedgehog movie.

Will Link talk in the Zelda movie?

The Legend of Zelda Animated Series
Click to enlarge
Saban Productions

The only potential worry we have is the idea that Link will talk. While Link has always made the odd grunt or shocked noise, he's never uttered an actual line of dialogue in the games. Yes, he technically spoke in the non-canon Philips CD-i games of the '90s and the animated The Legend of Zelda series from 1989, but that's not the same.

It's only recently that we've really had anyone talk in Zelda, with a fully-voiced Princess Zelda being a part of Tears of the Kingdom. Putting Link in a Zelda movie, it makes sense that he talks, but to be honest, we dread to think who they'll get to voice him. Knowing Tinsel Town, it'll probably be Holland.

Zippo points out that as well as all of the above being rumours, the ongoing WGA (Writers Guild Of America) and SGA (Screen Actors Guild) strikes have f****d Hollywood, meaning we shouldn't expect a Zelda movie anytime soon...if it's even real.

Tom Chapman
About the author
Tom Chapman
Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.
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