Movie adaptations of video games consistently generate enthusiasm among fans, who eagerly anticipate a fresh visual experience and a new dimension to their beloved stories. Following the triumphant global release of the animated The Super Mario Bros. Movie in April this year, Nintendo has once more stirred excitement by revealing plans for a live-action Zelda movie based on their enduringly popular franchise, The Legend of Zelda series. This announcement has reignited fervour among Zelda enthusiasts, prompting discussions to delve deeper into the details of this upcoming live-action Zelda movie.
What Did the Nintendo Officials Say About the Live-Action Zelda Movie?
On Wednesday, November 8, 2023, Nintendo revealed plans for a live-action Zelda movie, an adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, currently in the developmental stages, and will develop it in the Kyoto-based firm’s latest push beyond its core gaming business.
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A Successful Predecessor
Nintendo achieved significant success with its animated film The Super Mario Bros. Movie this year, highlighting the strong box-office performance of video game adaptations and contributing to increased demand for its ageing Switch console. Following Nintendo’s report of selling 6.84 million Switch units in the first half of the financial year, boosted by incremental hardware updates and titles featuring its popular character lineup, shares experienced a 6% surge.
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More Details on the Live-Action Zelda Movie – Who’s in Charge?
The production will be a collaboration between Nintendo and Arad Productions, and will be directed by Wes Ball, renowned for directing the Maze Runner trilogy and the forthcoming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, will take the helm as the director for the film.
Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of The Legend of Zelda, will take on a producer role, similar to his involvement in this year’s animated Super Mario Bros. Movie. He will collaborate with Avi Arad, known as the veteran producer of movies such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse in the production process.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Shigeru Miyamoto writes, “I have been working on the live-action film of The Legend of Zelda for many years now with Avi Arad-san, who has produced many mega hit films.” “I’ve asked Avi-san to co-produce this movie with me, and we’ve officially begun work on it, with Nintendo playing a major role in the production. Though it will take some time to complete, I hope you will be excited to see it.”
Nintendo and Sony, which are also having success adapting video game franchises, will co-finance the live-action Zelda Movie. Nintendo will contribute over 50% of the project’s funding, while Sony Pictures will cover the remaining costs and oversee distribution, as stated in a press release.
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About the Game – The Legend of Zelda
To those who do not know the story of the game The Legend of Zelda, here’s a brief introduction of the game’s storyline. The Legend of Zelda is an iconic action-adventure video game series first introduced in 1986, the franchise follows the adventures of Link, the courageous hero, as he embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Zelda and thwart the plans of the evil Ganon. Set in the mythical land of Hyrule, the series is renowned for its innovative gameplay, intricate puzzles, and rich narrative. Over the years, The Legend of Zelda has become a cornerstone of gaming culture, captivating players with its timeless blend of exploration, fantasy, and heroism.
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The Legend of Zelda Sales Status
Nintendo said on Tuesday they had sold 19.5 million units of the latest The Legend of Zelda game at September-end as the series continues to deliver hits almost 40 years after its first instalment. When The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was released in May of last year, it sold 10 million copies in three days, making it the fastest-selling Zelda game to date. Empire, The Guardian, Metro, the Daily Mirror, and Radio Times all gave it five stars. Besides, an estimated 30 million copies of the previous Zelda game, Breath of the Wild, were sold.
Nintendo’s primary source of revenue is still gaming, but in the first half of the current fiscal year, sales in their mobile and IP-related businesses more than doubled to 55 billion yen ($365.86 million).
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Final Thoughts
At present, the announcement of the live-action Zelda movie has not disclosed any specifics regarding the plot. However, this upcoming project faces the challenge of meeting the expectations of dedicated The Legend of Zelda fans. Given the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, there is anticipation that the live-action Zelda movie will achieve similar or greater acclaim.
Nevertheless, film adaptations from games come with their own set of challenges, as evidenced by the mixed success of previous attempts like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter. As the development of the live-action Zelda movie progresses, we can only hope that the creators put forth their utmost effort to deliver a pleasant surprise. Stay tuned for more updates on this project, and be sure to follow us for the latest news.
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