The Legend of Zelda Movie Needs to Stand on Its Own Before It Becomes a Trilogy

by

The story of “The Legend of Zelda” has been a source of both excitement and concern when it comes to Hollywood movies. On one side, fans have longed for decades to witness the series’ iconic elements on the big screen. However, the large budgets associated with films can sometimes bring unnecessary complications. Many fans were worried when Nintendo announced their “Zelda” movie would be live-action. Although it remains unclear if the film will fully embody the issues of today’s blockbuster industry, it has already ventured into dubious territory by reportedly planning a trilogy before the first installment even debuts in cinemas.

One significant challenge in today’s entertainment industry lies in its unpredictability. Major production studios appear to read the future in tea leaves and frequently reshuffle their entire lineup of productions every few weeks. This issue is more pronounced on streaming platforms, where fans have witnessed unexpected projects get greenlit, vanish from release schedules, and resurface under a different studio. It’s a challenging period for enthusiasts of various forms of entertainment, but Nintendo remains relatively fresh in the realm of franchise cinema. There’s still much room for things to go awry, yet only the rights holders have the power to decide how turbulent the journey becomes.

The Legend of Zelda Movie Might Be a Trilogy

Director Wes Ball
Writers Derek Connolly
Studios Sony and Nintendo
Release Date March 26, 2027

Based on a tip from a well-known Hollywood source, there’s speculation that the forthcoming “Legend of Zelda” film might be divided into a series of three movies, rather than one. If this is true, the initial installment could hit theaters in 2027, with the subsequent films following over the next few years. This production would span six years and feature a fixed main cast. At present, information is scarce, and this remains just a rumor. However, it seems plausible that Nintendo and Sony might be considering the franchise potential for this project. If accurate, spreading the “Legend of Zelda” story across a trilogy instead of a single film could potentially limit its impact.

The Legend of Zelda Movie Needs to Stand on Its Own

Adapting “The Legend of Zelda” for the big screen is a challenging task due to its rich iconography and exploratory nature, each game offering a unique world to explore. A film adaptation could either focus on one specific entry or create a new version of Hyrule, both options promising plenty of creative freedom. However, compressing such an expansive story into a single feature-length film is no small feat.

In the games, Link’s adventures usually revolve around saving the world from Ganon, with various levels filled with puzzles, battles, and endearing side characters. This wealth of material can make it difficult for a filmmaker to capture it all in a single movie.

Starting with the intention of three films might seem promising, but it could potentially dilute the impact of the first film and jeopardize future plans. The initial “Zelda” movie should stand alone as an epic fantasy adventure before anything else. Such films thrive on their own merit and cannot rely solely on the anticipation of future quests. A well-known fantasy franchise has mastered this concept for decades.

Star Wars is a Great Example

Reflecting on it now, it’s hard to comprehend that at one point, Star Wars was merely an extraordinary blockbuster movie. When George Lucas and his talented team produced the iconic 1977 film, their aim was straightforward – they wanted to encapsulate what they admired about the art that inspired them. They envisioned a single story with a clear start, progression, and conclusion. It wasn’t until the movie revolutionized cinema that they proceeded to create the subsequent films. Only after this trilogy redefined cinematic standards did Lucas think about returning to flesh out the missing chapters, thereby labeling what was initially a standalone film as Episode IV. Unlike many modern hits, one can enjoy Star Wars without delving into any other film, series, comic, or game in the franchise and still feel fulfilled. This contrasts sharply with most contemporary successes.

In one feature-length movie, The Legend of Zelda has the potential to deliver a lot. Star Wars demonstrated this, and though it’s challenging to compare anything to that benchmark, the team working on this Nintendo adaptation should strive for greatness. If they genuinely intend to create a trilogy before their initial project, they must ensure a compelling first installation without leaving crucial elements for subsequent films to resolve.

Read More

2025-04-10 17:12