Exciting developments are brewing in the world of Zelda, as recent reports indicate that Nintendo is in talks with Universal Pictures for an animated film adaptation of the video game, The Legend of Zelda. Following the smashing success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Nintendo’s ambition to bring its iconic franchises to the big screens has received a major boost and the recent prospect of a Zelda film movie serves as further evidence of the company’s strong desire. The gaming giant’s extensive roster of IPs presents a promising opportunity for the creation of movie franchises and even an interconnected cinematic universe.
During a recent episode of The Hot Mic podcast, film critic Jeff Sneider disclosed some intriguing information about Universal Pictures potentially securing the rights to a beloved Nintendo title. “I’m told that Universal is, in fact, closing a ‘big deal’ with the Nintendo corporation for The Legend of Zelda,” he revealed. “Zelda is looking like the next big Illumination-Nintendo franchise, which we were all sort of expecting. I’m told that is happening.”
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Although there is no official announcement yet and both parties have remained silent about this progress, the prospects of a Zelda movie have never been higher. Sneider further went on to add that Illumination, the animation studio behind the new Mario movie is likely to spearhead the project. Additionally, he emphasized that Universal is prepared to invest a substantial amount in bringing the Zelda adaptation to life, considering the incredible success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which grossed a staggering $1 billion USD worldwide.
The collaboration between Universal and Nintendo could pave the way for not just a single movie, but an entire franchise centered around the immensely popular video game series. The expansive nature of the Zelda franchise will allow filmmakers to delve into new and captivating narratives, completely separate from the games. However, one aspect that remains to be seen is how the characters are adapted for the movies. Link, the beloved protagonist of Zelda games, is traditionally portrayed as a silent character. This presents an exciting challenge for the creators to explore new dimensions of Link’s personality and development, ensuring that his on-screen presence captures the hearts of fans with a vibrant portrayal.
