Along with the unprecedented rise of comic book movie adaptations, video game movies are one of the most beloved genres out there. The roster is a mixed bag in terms of quality, but everyone loves seeing their favorite characters take to the silver screen, even if they end updisappointed at the live-action result. Video game movies give us another opportunity to dive into our most treasured fictional universes, often from an entirely different angle. Fans have been petitioning for certain games to get the official film treatment for years, andThe Legend of Zeldahas topped fan surveys as the most wanted game-to-movie adaptation.
Update July 03, 2025: This article has been updated following the announcement ofThe Legend of Zeldamovie by Nintendo and Sony Pictures.
Now, fans of the beloved game are seemingly getting their wish fulfilled. On July 25, 2025,Nintendo announced a live-actionThe Legend of Zeldamovieis in pre-production. Wes Ball, who helmed theMaze Runnertrilogy, will direct. It will be produced by Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad, former founder and CEO of Marvel Studios. However, plot details are being kept under wraps, and filmmakers have plenty ofZeldastorylines to consider.Zeldaweaves a narrative of courage, power, and wisdom, and fans are hesitant to trust most film companies with the source material. If Ball aims to produce aZeldafilm that the fanbase will enjoy, he’ll need to meet a few specific requirements. Here’s what it will take to make a successfulLegend of Zeldalive-action movie.
A Plot That Doesn’t Muddle the Timeline
The beloved video game series follows Link, a hero chosen by the gods to save his world. As part of a sacred trio destined to reincarnate in a never-ending cycle, Link’s tale has changed andevolved over 27 entries in the series. TheZeldatimeline is infamous in the gaming community, mostly for its complexity and confusing split. Twenty-seven games are hard enough to keep track of in the canon, andOcarina of Timedivides the timeline into three parts based on how the story could end. Any multiverse timeline is prone to be confusing, but fans of theZeldagames are serious about figuring out where new games fit into place. The series already has tons of established lore, and new additions need to make sense of it all.
8 Video Games That Would Make Great Live-Action Movie Adaptations
It feels like Hollywood is still not tapping into the full potential video games have to offer. Here are 8 video games that would make great movies.
A goodZeldamovie should fit somewhere in the timeline and coordinate with the other stories around it. There is the option of adding to the end of the timeline, but the movie still needs to make sense with whichever games precede it. It shouldn’t change things that have already happened in the universe or alter the personalities of any canonical characters. Most fans understand that an original story will be different from their beloved games, so all we ask for is a little fidelity.
The Full Orchestra Treatment
Music is something that sets this series apart from all others. ThevariousLegend of Zeldasoundtracksare incredibly diverse and packed with memorable melodies, and the music is recognizable even to those who have never played a game. While most video game movie adaptations don’t get a fully orchestrated soundtrack, aZeldamovie absolutely needs one.
The sounds of the franchise’s universe are too beautiful not to be heard at the hands of talented orchestral musicians. Whether the directors compose entirely new pieces or take inspiration from past series' masterpieces, they should be heard in all their lovingly crafted glory. One common criticism ofThe Super Mario Bros. Movewas the overuse of pop music needle drops. The hope is that since Illumination Entertainment is not in charge and instead it is Sony, the studio will look to feature more of the game’s iconic music.
A Diverse Cast That Makes Sense
The Legend of Zeldaseldom uses any voice acting, thoughBreath of the Wildis an exception. Otherwise, character vocalizations are limited to sighs, grunts, and other forms of onomatopoeia. Despite this, Link’s world is alive with unique characters, and everyone has a distinct personality. Knowing this, movie crews need to consider a few possibilities.
First, the casting needs to be diverse. From the powerful grace of the desert-dwelling Gerudo women to the rocky visages of the Gorons, we need to see a cast of actors from all walks of life. To limit Hyrule’s representations of ethnicity and body type is to do the franchise (and its fans) serious injustice. As soon as the movie was announced, fans took to social media to suggest casting suggestions, withEuphoriastarHunter Schafer topping many lists to play Zelda. Actors such as Jacob Tremblay, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Justice Smith have been suggested for Link. Even more diverse suggestions have included William Gao ofHeartstopperand Caleb McLaughlin ofStranger Thingsfor that role.
This also raises the question of if the movie will keep Link as a silent protagonist. It certainly would be a risk for a big-budget fantasy movie to feature a main character who does not speak, but if the studio wants to stick to the tone of the original games, they will not have Link speak, or if so, make him a man of few words.
Solid Choreography For Combat
The Legend of Zeldafocuses largely on combat, especially swordplay. Throughout the series, we see Link develop an impressive repertoire of skills with all sorts of weapons. The developers have always done a beautiful job showing us the precision and power behind his attacks, and it’s one of the most enjoyable parts of the franchise. As such, anyZeldamovie must dedicate plenty of time and effort toward its combat choreography.
Should Donkey Kong Get Adapted for the Big Screen?
Donkey Kong is a character that has been around for just as long as Link and Mario. Unfortunately, he has never had his own movie. Should he?
Good combat lends to a beautiful aesthetic that draws viewers in and keeps them engaged for the entirety of a scene, and the quality of fight scenes can make or break a movie. TakeAssassin’s Creedfrom 2016, for example — it isn’t a perfect video game adaptation by any means, but it has gorgeous fight sequences that lift the overall quality of the film. If aZeldamovie were to follow suit with solid choreographyandgive us a good story, it might end up being one of the best video game movies of all time!
A Believable Yet Magical Atmosphere
Magic is an extremely prevalent theme in the story, but the world also feels believable and real. Along with fairy fountains hidden in the earth and giant talking trees are political happenings, commerce, and people homesteading across the country. The game’s otherworldly elements don’t feel otherworldly; they feel like they belong and have a sense of beauty to them.
AZeldaadaptation needs to show the balance between magical adventures and a grounded world. The environment resembles King Arthur and his knights, who lead believable lives even with mythical swords and lake priestesses. It shouldn’t just feel like an enchanted wonderland or an ancient medieval society, either. There are several races of people in theZeldauniverse, and each society has its own original culture and lifestyle. The film creators need to accurately represent Hyrule and its many residents.
While filmmakers might be tempted to make a big-scale epic similar toThe Lord of the Rings,The Legend of Zelda’s world fits better as a simple fantasy. It should stick closer in tone to something likeLegend(which rumors circulated for years thatThe Legend of Zeldagame was supposed to be inspired by) or a film likeKubo and the Two Strings. It shouldskew more toward a fairy talethan a major fantasy epic.
Fans will have to wait and see how the final film plays out. The live-action adaptation is still in early development and likely won’t reach screens until 2025 at the earliest.
