The Legend of Zelda Movie Can Learn From One Video Game Adaptation’s Big Mistakes

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The Legend of Zelda Movie Can Learn From One Video Game Adaptation's Big Mistakes

Highlights

  • Wes Ball aims to avoid Uncharted’s casting mistake in The Legend of Zelda movie, focusing on fan-favorite choices over star power.
  • The potential cast for The Legend of Zelda includes Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Link and Florence Pugh, Hunter Schafer, or Elle Fanning as Princess Zelda.
  • Wes Ball is dedicated to creating a serious and real adaptation of The Legend of Zelda, promising fans a movie that does the franchise justice.

As a seasoned gamer with memories of countless adventures spanning decades, I can confidently say that Wes Ball’s approach to The Legend of Zelda movie is a breath of fresh air. Unlike some productions that seem more interested in cashing in on star power than staying true to their source material, Ball appears dedicated to delivering a serious and respectful adaptation.

It appears that the live-action version of “The Legend of Zelda” is progressing nicely, but for Wes Ball to make the adaptation successful among viewers, he should likely steer clear of a significant mistake made in the “Uncharted” adaptation. The 2022 live-action adaptation of the popular Naughty Dog franchise, “Uncharted,” was led by Ruben Fleischer, director of “Venom” and “Zombieland.” Tom Holland, who starred as famous treasure hunter Nathan Drake in this adaptation, initially seemed like a good choice. However, it ultimately proved to be a misstep that Ball would be wise not to repeat with “The Legend of Zelda.”

The movie adaptation of “Uncharted” has been in the works since before 2009, with Nathan Fillion initially being considered for the role of Nathan Drake. Similarly, the development of the “Uncharted” video game was a lengthy process. Although Fillion didn’t end up playing Drake in Hollywood, he did star in a fan-made short film that garnered positive feedback. Several actors, including Mark Wahlberg, Chris Pratt, and Jamie Dornan, were considered for the part of Nathan Drake. However, Tom Holland was eventually cast as a young Nathan Drake, with the film serving as a prequel to the games and delving into Drake’s backstory.

Although choosing Tom Holland for the role might have hindered the film’s potential to rank alongside top video game adaptations like the Sonic the Hedgehog series, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and the Resident Evil saga, it’s worth noting that at the time of release, Holland was 25, while Wahlberg, Pratt, and Dornan were 51, 43, and 39 respectively. This age difference, even between Holland and Dornan who is 39, is quite significant. In Uncharted 4, the game on which the movie is based, Nathan Drake was 38 years old, an age more in line with actors like Dornan or Pratt than Holland.

Potential Legend of Zelda Live-Action Fan Cast Without Focus On Star Power

The Legend of Zelda Movie Can Learn From One Video Game Adaptation's Big Mistakes

During that period, Tom Holland had recently played Spider-Man in Marvel’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” a film that ranks third among the highest-grossing Marvel movies, following “Avengers: Endgame” and “Avengers: Infinity War.” Given Holland’s popularity, it seemed logical for Sony to leverage his fame. However, it appeared that he might not have been the ideal choice to replace Nathan. To prevent the lukewarm reception that “Uncharted” experienced, “The Legend of Zelda” should consider casting beyond star power if they want to steer clear of such reactions.

Currently, there isn’t an officially confirmed cast for “The Legend of Zelda”. Nevertheless, various suggestions have been floating around online for both Link and Princess Zelda. Thomas Brodie-Sangster is a popular pick for Link, given his previous collaboration with director Wes Ball on the “Maze Runner” series. This seems like a perfect match. As for Princess Zelda, it’s a bit more challenging to predict, but Florence Pugh from “Midsommar”, Hunter Schafer from “Euphoria”, and Elle Fanning from “Maleficent” are among the names often mentioned as potential candidates. While Pugh is a more mainstream choice, both Schafer and Fanning could be equally fitting for the role.

Wes Ball Determined To Make Legend of Zelda a Love Letter to Fans

The Legend of Zelda Movie Can Learn From One Video Game Adaptation's Big Mistakes

In March, Wes Ball shared his plans for the Legend of Zelda film, emphasizing his desire to create a “genuine” adaptation that resonates with audiences, given his affection for the The Legend of Zelda series. More recently, Ball has been involved in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the latest installment in the revamped Planet of the Apes saga. In a chat with Total Film, Ball expressed his understanding of the franchise’s significance to fans and his commitment to doing it proud. “My goal is to meet the highest expectations. I understand how crucial this [Zelda] franchise is to people, and I want it to be a thoughtful film that offers an immersive experience,” Ball stated.

Although Tom Holland’s portrayal of Nathan Drake in the movie ‘Uncharted’ garnered positive reviews from critics, it seemed that the general public felt Holland didn’t quite embody Nathan Drake as they preferred. In a discussion on Reddit, many users agreed that while Holland might not have been the ideal choice, his acting skills were undeniably competent. However, the main issues cited were a weak script and the casting of Mark Wahlberg as Sully, who is Drake’s mentor figure, which dampened the ‘Uncharted’ experience for many viewers. Interestingly, Nathan Fillion was mentioned by some fans as a potential fit for an older Nathan Drake.

As long as “The Legend of Zelda” avoids using trendy names in its search for the ideal Link and Zelda, it could excel where “Uncharted” fell short. If public opinion is factored in, “The Legend of Zelda” movie may follow the success of “Super Mario Bros. Movie.” If Ball is indeed creating a film that caters to both fans and non-fans alike, the casting decisions will determine whether the upcoming “Legend of Zelda” movie becomes an ode to the fanbase or another money-making venture for Hollywood.

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2024-08-01 00:33