Netflix is developing a live-action series based on “The Legend of Zelda” series of games. While I want this to be true and I want it to be good, there’s still lots of places where this could fly off the rails very easily.
So, strike one? The trustworthyness of the source. File this under “confirmed rumor” since The Wall Street Journal cites an unnamed sourced at Netflix, who reveals the show is “about an ordinary boy named Link who must rescue a princess named Zelda and save a fantasy world called Hyrule, said a person familiar with the matter. As it seeks writers to work on the show, Netflix is describing it as “Game of Thrones” for a family audience, this person said.”
Nintendo and Netflix both declined to comment for the story, and let’s remember that WSJ is owned by the same company that owns Fox News, the New York Post, the Sun, and dozens of other tabloids, so let’s not get our hopes up too much.
Strike two? Also in the vein of not getting our hopes up, Nintendo’s track record for adapting its games to film and tv is spotty at best. Who can forget the weekly Zelda cartoon show from the late 80’s? Our own Neverbot certainly can’t, and you can read his Saturday Morning Cartoon column all about it here.
Strike three? It’s really early in the process. They need writers. They need producers and crew. They need a single concept (which version of Hyrule?) They’ll need to get their Zelda lore straight. They’ll need a cast. Then they’ll likely do at least some test footage, if not a full-blown pilot episode. Then Netflix and Nintendo order a full series, and we’ll get it several months to a year later.
Ok, well, actually, that’s more of a check swing that makes some contact with the ball and it loops over into foul territory. So, this isn’t out, per se. But it’s not on base yet.
But here’s the most important reasons this should happen: because it would be awesome. Who doesn’t want an awesome sword, archery, magic adventure based in the expansive world of Hyrule?
If they’re smart, they’ll most closely tie this in to upcoming release of the new Zelda game for the Wii U, whose gameplay looks absolutely gorgeous!
I also don’t know what they’re looking at in terms of budget, but being able to pull off some cool sword-fighting techniques, archery work like we saw in that recent viral video, and all of Link’s cool items would be great.
In fact, one of the mainstays of the Zelda series is the basic progression based on items and technique mastery. You need bombs to reach this area, you need the iron boots and Zora tunic to reach the water temple, you need the raft and ladder to get to the next level, etc. This sort of linear progression lends itself well to episodic format.
In episode 1, Link could find a sword and shield, receiving basic training with it, then fights off a threat to his local village. Then in ep 2 he could find out about the princess or Ganon or both, and is off to investigate, gets a boomerang and hookshot and is able to scale the castle walls and distract the guards to get in, then meets the princess and receives an enchanted musical instrument. . . there’s lots of room here for this to be very Lord of the Rings meets Indiana Jones, as so much of Zelda is also about puzzle-solving, decoding the lore of various ancient temples.
It would also be great to see all of the various creatures of the Zelda universe, from allies like the Goron and Zora to enemies like octoroks, tektikes, moblins, stalfos. Unfortunately, that probably means a lot more lead time, as all of those would need to be either CG or puppets. But I really want to see them. And bosses like Gohma, or Gleeok, or (zomg!) Koloktos!
Also? Just imagine the score we’re going to get. Zelda music!
The only other thing I can think that would make this even better would be if Netflix can offer early access to this show only to Netflix subscribers using a Wii U or 3DS. It would be a nice nod to those of us playing the Zelda games.
I really want this to be true. And considering the project is so early in its life they’re looking for writers. . .well, I know some robots who would be available.
The new 3DS version of Majora’s Mask drops next week, and we should see the Wii U Zelda game later this year. Let’s hope a tv series isn’t too far behind.