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Netflix Reportedly Producing Zelda Television Series

by Alex Osborn - February 6, 2015, 4:39 pm EST
Total comments: 24 Source: Wall Street Journal

Something tells me Link won't be a silent hero this time around.

A television series based on The Legend of Zelda is reportedly in the works at Netflix.

The Wall Street Journal has heard from a "person familiar with the matter" that the alleged series will be a full-blown live-action production that aims to be like a family-friendly version of Game of Thrones.

As one would expect, the popular streaming service is working closely with Nintendo in the show's production. After all, this is one of the Big N's most prized and recognizable franchises.

Neither Netflix nor Nintendo have commented on the matter, so we'll have to treat this as rumor for the time being. That said, sound off in the comments below and let us know whether or not you'd like to see a live-action adventure in Hyrule.

Talkback

Ian SaneFebruary 06, 2015

I have a feeling this will either be really cool or embarrassingly poor.  With videogame adaptations you don't seem to get average stuff.  Now if this takes off will we get Legend of Zelda: The Show: The Game? :D

When I was younger a live-action Zelda seemed like an awesome idea but that was back when videogame stories were not so fleshed out.  When it was released Ocarina of Time's story didn't seem particularly simplistic by videogame standards but these days it does and the storytelling in later Zelda games hasn't really evolved much.  And we'll just forget about the complications of the stupid timeline which back when I looked forward to a Zelda movie or show was also easier to keep track of.  Link isn't much of a character (I like him being a player avatar in the game but that would obviously not work in a show), the storylines are usually too simple for non-videogame fiction, and what overall arc there is is a confusing illogical mess.  That's going to be a challenge to make a decent show out of, particularly if we're making Game of Thrones comparisons.

The basic design of the IP though lends itself to a good show.  If you knew you were doing you could make something cool.

kokumakerFebruary 06, 2015

Leave it alone. Please, for the love of all that is holy, just LEAVE IT ALONE.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorFebruary 06, 2015

We already have live-action Legend of Zelda.  It's called The Legend of Neil and is amazing.

TheXenocideFebruary 06, 2015

Thanks, Wallstreet journal! It was supposed to be a secret to everybody!

StrawHousePigFebruary 06, 2015

:o

Maybe they'll do a good job this time. I won't hold my breath.

broodwarsFebruary 06, 2015

Honestly, after 10+ years of Lord of the Rings; The Hobbit; and Game of Thrones, I feel tapped out on live action medieval fantasy. I feel like whatever craving this series would've filled a decade ago has already been satiated. We'll see how this goes, but if this does become a reality I'm not buying a Netflix subscription to watch it.

WindyManSteven Rodriguez, Staff AlumnusFebruary 06, 2015

Speak of the devil. I just came across this leak about the same time I heard the news.


http://i.imgur.com/y4N7pm2.jpg
I think the series is in good hands, guys.

marvel_moviefan_2012February 06, 2015

I already have  Netflix so I won't be signing up just to check it out. I think it could be good. I don't watch Game of Thrones so I have no idea what its even about. I hope they ditch the whole silent hero concept because its not going to be the same as the cartoon so comparisons to that are just idiotic.

Leo13February 06, 2015

I can't wait!

SorenFebruary 06, 2015

Call me crazy but I kinda want them to keep the silent hero just to see if they could pull it off.

TheXenocideFebruary 06, 2015

I want a fairy who is basically Groot. She can only say "Hey!" "Look!" or "Listen!" but her companion still somehow understands her complete meaning.

CaterkillerMatthew Osborne, Contributing WriterFebruary 07, 2015

Well I'm excited to see what they do. In this day and age making Zelda creatures look real shouldn't be a big deal.

I'm really pushing myself now and if I don't get to work on this series I'm going to throw a hissy fit!

AdrockFebruary 07, 2015

Netflix has a pretty good reputation for original content though "family friendly version of Game of Thrones" sounds like a terrible descriptor. The best parts of the show are when it challenges convention (e.g. "My what a lovely wedding... Oh dear sweet Jebus... Nooooooooo..."). Game of Thrones carries its rating like a badge of honor.

Instead, the focus should simply aspire to be "a good Zelda show." Also, I wish this was either CG or traditionally animated. Personally, I'd use The Wind Waker as the basis for the tone. And while I like the art style, I'd rather see the show have its own aesthetic.

Or hire the Avatar: The Last Airbender/The Legend of Korra showrunners and let them go to TV-PG.

marvel_moviefan_2012February 07, 2015

Quote from: Adrock

Netflix has a pretty good reputation for original content though "family friendly version of Game of Thrones" sounds like a terrible descriptor. The best parts of the show are when it challenges convention (e.g. "My what a lovely wedding... Oh dear sweet Jebus... Nooooooooo..."). Game of Thrones carries its rating like a badge of honor.

Instead, the focus should simply aspire to be "a good Zelda show." Also, I wish this was either CG or traditionally animated. Personally, I'd use The Wind Waker as the basis for the tone. And while I like the art style, I'd rather see the show have its own aesthetic.

Or hire the Avatar: The Last Airbender/The Legend of Korra showrunners and let them go to TV-PG.

Cartoons have limited appeal they are going for mass appeal and live action is the way to go there.

Mop it upFebruary 07, 2015

I don't think I'd watch this even if it turned out good, but I don't care that it exists.

AdrockFebruary 07, 2015

Quote from: marvel_moviefan_2012

Cartoons have limited appeal they are going for mass appeal and live action is the way to go there.

It's based on a video game. It already has limited appeal.

Leo13February 07, 2015

Quote from: Adrock

Quote from: marvel_moviefan_2012

Cartoons have limited appeal they are going for mass appeal and live action is the way to go there.

It's based on a video game. It already has limited appeal.

I disagree, 10 years ago people would have said super hero movies had limited appeal; now nobody would say that because the batman trilogy, iron man and avengers were so good that almost everyone now enjoys the super hero movies

marvel_moviefan_2012February 07, 2015

Quote from: Leo13

Quote from: Adrock

Quote from: marvel_moviefan_2012

Cartoons have limited appeal they are going for mass appeal and live action is the way to go there.

It's based on a video game. It already has limited appeal.

I disagree, 10 years ago people would have said super hero movies had limited appeal; now nobody would say that because the batman trilogy, iron man and avengers were so good that almost everyone now enjoys the super hero movies

What are you talking about? We had Superman, Batman, The Mask, Men in Black, Blade, the list goes on, Comic book movies and super hero movies never had limited appeal what world do you live in?

broodwarsFebruary 07, 2015

Quote from: marvel_moviefan_2012

Quote from: Leo13

Quote from: Adrock

Quote from: marvel_moviefan_2012

Cartoons have limited appeal they are going for mass appeal and live action is the way to go there.

It's based on a video game. It already has limited appeal.

I disagree, 10 years ago people would have said super hero movies had limited appeal; now nobody would say that because the batman trilogy, iron man and avengers were so good that almost everyone now enjoys the super hero movies

What are you talking about? We had Superman, Batman, The Mask, Men in Black, Blade, the list goes on, Comic book movies and super hero movies never had limited appeal what world do you live in?

Between Batman Returns and the modern Marvel age started by the first Iron Man movie, comic book movies had a certain niche/campy stigma associated with them. The comic book films that were successful were such because they downplayed their comic book origins, whereas the modern films embrace them. With the exception of Spider-Man, they weren't generally done very well and weren't the pop culture phenomenon we have now. Iron Man and the resulting Avengers tie-in movies changed that, but it took a long time for geek culture to become the norm.

ShyGuyFebruary 07, 2015

Nintendo should make a deal where they fix the Wii U netflix app in exchange.

SorenFebruary 08, 2015

Actually the whole show's gonna be a nature series where Fi recounts useless facts about all kinds of Hylian flora and fauna.

Leo13February 08, 2015

Quote from: ShyGuy

Nintendo should make a deal where they fix the Wii U netflix app in exchange.

Nice idea send it to Reggie

marvel_moviefan_2012February 08, 2015

Quote from: broodwars

Quote from: marvel_moviefan_2012

Quote from: Leo13

Quote from: Adrock

Quote from: marvel_moviefan_2012

Cartoons have limited appeal they are going for mass appeal and live action is the way to go there.

It's based on a video game. It already has limited appeal.

I disagree, 10 years ago people would have said super hero movies had limited appeal; now nobody would say that because the batman trilogy, iron man and avengers were so good that almost everyone now enjoys the super hero movies

What are you talking about? We had Superman, Batman, The Mask, Men in Black, Blade, the list goes on, Comic book movies and super hero movies never had limited appeal what world do you live in?

Between Batman Returns and the modern Marvel age started by the first Iron Man movie, comic book movies had a certain niche/campy stigma associated with them. The comic book films that were successful were such because they downplayed their comic book origins, whereas the modern films embrace them. With the exception of Spider-Man, they weren't generally done very well and weren't the pop culture phenomenon we have now. Iron Man and the resulting Avengers tie-in movies changed that, but it took a long time for geek culture to become the norm.

No that is all fabricated in your mind, there were three X-Men blockbusters, three Matrix blockbusters, three Star Wars block busters, (well one Matrix movie bombed but whatever,) three Spider-man blockbusters, Ghost Rider, Aeon Flux, Punisher, Fantastic Four, Hulk, and quite a few others, plus the Nolan Batman films were all pretty serious stuff.

No you are flat wrong, comic book NERDS have issues with those movies for not being too close to the source material but general audiences ate them up so there was no stigma to speak of. Shit man I have heard countless commentary where filmmakers had to pitch their story *as* taken from a comic book to get the studios to back it this movement began LONG before Iron Man came about, that is just the point it became fully mainstream but the last 15 years have been dominated by sci-fi super hero blockbusters either based on comic books or similar material.


The claim was 10 years ago nobody would have seen comic book movies taking off which is BULLSHIT we have had dozens of them in the last 15 years so it was closer to 20 years ago this movement began and it really kicked off with X-Men in 2000 that is well documented among Hollywood historians and movie buffs the modern comic book age didn't begin with Iron Man that is just the point where Disney took over and began pouring insane amounts of money into it, hell even the Bayformers began before that period and those are based on a comic book story too.


NONE of that has any relevance to this discussion because who CARES what people said would be niche or not, the world has changed audience CRAVE this stuff now audiences don't give a shit what is based on a comic book or a novel, or a video game, or a cartoon, or a fucking board game, they eat it up that has been the trend for a long time now and video game adaptations aren't exactly new either hello nobody watched those Resident Evil films Bull shit those were blockfuckingbusters too. Some of you are mistaking great film with money making franchises, nobody is arguing those things were great cineme but they sure as hell made shit tons of money.

tyto_albaFebruary 08, 2015

Live action Cia! Bring it on!  :P:

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