These Zelda games would actually make a great movie

Release of the film After Acting Coy Tears Of The KingdomNintendo announced what was unthinkable but still inevitable: the live-action Legend of Zelda movie. Produced by Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad (Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse, Morbius), the film, which Miyamoto has said he has been at work on for “many years now,” now goes into formal development at Sony — of all studios! Wes Ball will be returning to the screen in 2024, after a successful debut with his Maze Runner trilogies. Kingdom of the Planet of the ApesThe director of the film is currently.

The announcement came with few details, but fans got right to work screaming about whether or not Timothée Chalamet is the right elf-like actor to play Link. (Meanwhile, here at Polygon, we’re more wondering if Jack Black playing Bowser in Super Mario Bros. Movie disqualifies him as a candidate for Ganondorf, because it shouldn’t.) Ball is a dreamer who has been dreaming about this chance for the entirety of his career. a tweet from 2010, the filmmaker proclaimed, “Since I could never even hope to have the chance to direct it… the next big mo-cap Avatar-like movie should be… THE LEGEND OF ZELDA.” Though he was way wrong about the first part, considering how Nintendo went to great lengths to preserve its iconography in the Mario movie and that Ball now has tons of experience in the motion-capture world after Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, it wouldn’t be surprising if the “live-action” Zelda movie looked more like Tintin AdventuresThe Lord of the Rings is better than The Lord of the Rings at the end.

But beyond the look of a Zelda movie, there are bigger questions about Nintendo’s approach. How do you do Zelda? As well asA movie? This franchise, known for more vibes, gameplay and designs than a sensible timeline or lore has seldom relied on narrative to capture the interest of its players. But there are plenty of bits for Miyamoto, Arad, Ball, and whichever writers score the golden opportunity to “adapt” it for the big screen. This makes us wonder which Zelda games would make for the most interesting source material to be turned into a film. Below, our die-hard Zelda buffs make the case for why a faithful take on Link’s adventures could actually work.

Breath of Wild to be the basis for a Zelda film?

Image: Nintendo EPD/Nintendo via Polygon

There’s basically no way that Breath Of The Wild won’t be a major inspiration for any Zelda movie — the game’s success and superlative visual design guarantee it. It’s simply too popular and too well known to not use as a template. At first, it may seem that the experience of the players is not the most cinematic. There’s no particular urgency to defeating Ganon, and no unexpected twists. It’s a story told through flashbacks that winds up to a quick (some might argue anticlimactic) ending.

It could be a lot more fun. Breath Of The WildNot just the visual vibes, but also the story could work. A hero with amnesia explores Hyrule’s different cultures to assemble a group of friends who can harness the forgotten technology in order to save a princess from an evil ancient. That’s an easy map to the kind of three-act structure that makes a crowd-pleasing blockbuster. Plus rock climbing. —Susana Polo

Is there a Zelda film based on Ocarina of Time?

Image: Nintendo

Ocarina Of Time It is the Zelda that brought the 3D age to the world, and has the legacy of bringing it into live action. The formula has not been changed in almost any other Zelda game. Ocarina Of TimePlays like an origin tale. We meet Link in Kokiri Forest as a young lad, see him heed the hero’s call to adventure, meet Zelda and Ganondorf in a frightening first-act set-piece, then embark on the actual quest that episodically introduces the Zora, the Goron, and the Gerudo. Miyamoto can speedrun the Nintendo-fied Lord of the Rings trilogy in one film. It has the benefit of a pre-installed musical palette. Much like Peter Jackson’s LOTR movies, a Zelda movie is going to live or die on just how big the themes can go and how intimate the soundtrack can get in pivotal moments. The least gimmicky way to adapt the gameplay might be to port over Link’s magical ocarina playing. A Legend of Zelda Movie could be You can also find out more about the following: for blockbuster fantasy films.

As far as outcomes, I imagine we’ll get a little of column A and a little of column B as far as an adaptation is concerned. By the time Wes Ball’s movie hits theaters, the N64 generation will be bringing the Switch generation. If Nintendo dresses up Ocarina Of Time The following are some examples of how to use Breath Of The Wild’s clothing, it might just have a Super Mario-level hit. —Matt Patches

A Zelda movie based on Majora’s Mask?

Image: Nintendo

Yes, it would be simple enough for a filmmaker to go the route of the more traditional hero’s journeys laid out in Breath Of The Wild, Ocarina Of TimeEven if you don’t have a smartphone, it is still possible to use a tablet or even. Twilight Princess. But here’s my thing: Get weird. Why not create a film that captures that creepiness we often ignore when discussing The Legend of Zelda. Majora’s MaskThis is a Lynchian adventure through an absurd dream world filled with people who are coming to terms with the end of their world. It’s about grief, loneliness, regret, and transformation — you could even view its approaching apocalypse (the moon is literally plummeting toward the world of Termina) as a metaphor for climate change. It’s Groundhog DayThe time-loop is also a fertile field for narrative flourishes that are worthy of the big screen. This is all to say, that in an age when video games are too safe, or just plain unnecessary, a retelling Majora’s MaskSome people might be surprised. —Mike Mahardy

The Wind Waker is the basis for a Zelda film?

Image: Nintendo

While the cel-shaded art style of this game would lend itself better to an animated adaptation, I still think there’s a solid argument to support a movie inspired by The Wind Waker. I’m a fan of the Zelda franchise.Wind WakerIt has one the most emotional premises in a story. After witnessing his little sister’s abduction, Link joins a pirate band. Link waving goodbye to grandma on a ship as it sails away remains one of the more emotional cinematic moments ever seen in a Zelda video game.

And while the game has a cartoony look, there’s still a lot visually to play with that would make for good set-pieces in a movie. The King of Red Lions could be a very cool CGI movie. Outside of effects, if this movie gets the Mario treatment and perhaps reimagines the role of Zelda as a damsel, it’s possible Tetra’s story could get a rewrite to embrace the exuberance she possessed before transforming into Zelda. Nintendo may be looking to make a film that is family friendly and has enough content for it to become a movie. The Wind WakerCould be. —Ana Diaz

Spirit Tracks based Zelda film?

Image: Nintendo

Love you as much I do Spirit Tracks, I’m not going pretend this DS entry isn’t a minor Zelda. But there’s one thing that makes it particularly well suited to adaptation: This is the only game in the series in which Link and Zelda hang out and interact all the way through.

Admittedly, she’s a ghost, but it’s still an adorable, innocent kids’ love affair — Ponyo style — that would make for a delightfully sweet Zelda film. Plus, it has choo-choo trains, and who doesn’t love a bit of train action at the movies? —Oli Welsh

What is the basis for a Zelda film?

Image: Fagiani

You can also Like Super Mario Bros. Movie, the live-action Legend of Zelda film will likely have as many references to as many games as possible so that every fan’s desires are represented.

In terms of the storyline, however, I would like the film to reboot the Legend of Zelda franchise. The following are some of the most important things to consider. Tears Of The Kingdom’s rather definitive ending (and exhaustive, multi-tiered exploration of Hyrule), it’s time to introduce something that fans have never seen before — whether it means altering the canon of previous games or introducing a new mega baddie on the level of Ganondorf that’s all new to the series, I’m game for a huge shake-up rather than merely a 90-minute fan service play. Link also needs to talk. —Cameron Faulkner

The Legend of Zelda television show is the basis for a Zelda film?

Image: DiC Entertainment/Nintendo

Nintendo needs to remake The Game.Legend of Zelda cartoon that first aired in 1989 — a simple story about how Link just wanted a little kiss.

It’ll be easy to adapt, because there’s no real running throughline, beyond kissing and fighting Ganon for the talking Triforces. There’s a lot of room there for Miyamoto and Arad to play around with storylines, just so long as they keep the MoonlightingLink and Zelda have a relationship similar to that of a. The Legend of Zelda Never had any live action bits themselves, but Super Mario Bros. Super Show!It was possible to get some vibes out of certain segments. Worst case scenario, Nintendo’s got a “so bad it’s good” cult classic on its hands with the live-action movie. —Nicole Carpenter

Which Zelda game should Nintendo adapt? Make your case now! Skyward Sword…