Summary

  • To ensure success, the live-action Legend of Zelda movie must hire composer Kōji Kondō to recreate the iconic soundtrack from the video games.
  • The movie needs to accurately depict the visually stunning fantasy land of Hyrule, including important locations like Tarrey Town and Hyrule Castle.
  • The choreography of the sword fights must be compelling to watch, as Link's battles with the Master Sword are a crucial aspect of the Legend of Zelda games.

The live-action live-action Legend of Zelda Netflix TV series leaked. Unfortunately, the leak caused Nintendo to cancel production.

Since then, it has been a waiting game to see if Nintendo would work towards another Zelda adaptation. In November 2023, Nintendo provided confirmation of a live-action Legend of Zelda movie, reigniting excitement within the gaming community. The excitement bodes well for the Legend of Zelda movie but also leads to higher expectations. If the live-action Legend of Zelda movie wants to be a success, there are several major franchise elements the movie needs to get right..

Related
10 Reasons Legend Of Zelda's Movie Will Be So Much Harder Than Super Mario Bros

Reports indicate that Nintendo and Universal are making a Legend of Zelda film, something that could prove more difficult than Super Mario Bros.

10 Kōji Kondō Scores The Legend Of Zelda Movie

The Film Score

Link overlooks a mountain in The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda soundtracks are some of the most memorable aspects of the video games. They perfectly encapsulate the spirit of adventure and wonder. Every change in tone and mood hits just right with the plot. This is all thanks to composer Kōji Kondō, who scored every video game in the franchise. For the live-action Legend of Zelda to succeed, the producers need to hire Kondō to write the score. The movie will tie into the game franchise by bringing back the composer. Additionally, a score by Kondō will elevate the emotional depth and plot of the film.

9 The Legend of Zelda Movie Recreates Hyrule

The Legend of Zelda's Setting

The Legend of Zelda games are set in the kingdom of Hyrule, a visually stunning fantasy land with tall mountains, wide lakes, and ancient temples. If The Legend of Zelda's movie hopes to find success, it must make a live-action version of Hyrule that properly depicts the well-developed video game setting. The live-action Legend of Zelda movie could replicate important locations like Tarrey Town, Hyrule Field, and Hyrule Castle. Moreover, the film can recreate specific establishing shots from the franchise, like Link stepping onto a cliff overlooking Hyrule in Breath of the Wild.

Choreographing The Battles

Link holding the Master Sword out in front of him in Tears of the Kingdom, studying the blade.

Link is known for using the Master Sword to fight enemies and vanquish evil throughout the Legend of Zelda games. The sword is imbued with the power to destroy barriers, break curses, and vanquish evil forces. It's crucial that the live-action Legend of Zelda movie properly represents the magical item and its abilities. The movie will also need to focus on choreographing the sword fights well. Even if every other aspect of the movie is excellent, a Legend of Zelda movie will fail if the combat isn't compelling to watch.

Related
Casting Link For The Live-Action Legend Of Zelda Movie: 12 Actors Who'd Be Perfect

The toughest job ahead of the Legend of Zelda movie will be casting the iconic characters—but we have a few suggestions for the hero, Link.

7 The Legend Of Zelda Movie Explains The Triforce

Important Lore From The Franchise

The Triforce from The Legend of Zelda in front of a stone relief showing a conflict from a Tears of the Kingdom trailer.

The Triforce is the lifeblood of all things The Legend of Zelda. Left behind by the three Golden Goddesses, the relic has the ability to grant wishes that impact all of Hyrule. When in the hands of someone pure-hearted, the Triforce brings about prosperity, but it causes harm when used by someone with nefarious intentions. The live-action Legend of Zelda movie needs to explain the lore and magic surrounding the Triforce since almost every Zelda plot comes back to the object.

6 Ganondorf Transforms Into Ganon

An Iconic Video Game Moment

Ganondorf Dragmire is the primary villain in all the Legend of Zelda games. While he usually looks like a muscled Gerudo sorcerer, he can also transform into a bore-like demon called Ganon with the help of the Triforce. The live-action Legend of Zelda movie should include this moment, most famously seen at the end of Ocarina of Time. The transformation shows what can happen when someone corrupt gets a hold of the Triforce. Moreover, the movie must ensure the iconic moment looks scary and threatening. Transformations like the ones seen in the Legend of Zelda video games can easily look campy if done poorly.

The Climax Of Ocarina of Time

This image shows Ganon tower as it's collapsing.

After Link defeats Ganondorf in Ocarina of Time, the sorcerer uses his power to bring the castle down. Link and Zelda have three minutes to escape with their lives before they get crushed in the rubble. This scene from the video game needs to appear as an action sequence in the Legend of Zelda movie. Not only is it fast-paced and high-stakes, but the race to escape Ganon's tower also brings about the game’s climax, where Ganondorf transforms into Ganon – another element the movie needs to depict.

4 Zelda Plays A More Central Role In The Legend Of Zelda Movie

Developing The Character Past The Games

One of the longest-running gags in the Legend of Zelda fandom is the joke that the titular character barely plays a role in the games. When Princess Zelda does appear, she takes a less active role in the battles, leaving it to Link to fight enemies. The character spends more time in the action when disguised as Sheik. Princess Zelda should not be a damsel in distress in the live-action Legend of Zelda movie. Zelda needs to have a larger role in the movie, taking part in some of the action sequences. After all, the entire franchise is named after her.

The Iconic Battle In Ocarina Of Time

Link faces Dark Link in Ocarina of Time.

Possibly the most iconic battle in the Legend of Zelda franchise is when Link battles Dark Link in the illusionary room of the Water Temple in Ocarina of Time. Dark Link is considered one of the most difficult enemies to beat in the video games because he can easily counter most of Link’s attacks. Regardless of whether the live-action Legend of Zelda movie follows Ocarina of Time, the director should find a way to incorporate this battle. It will offer fan service, interesting visual effects, and an epic fight.

Related
Is Legend Of Zelda Connected To The Super Mario Bros Movie? Nintendo Shared Universe Plans Explained

The news about a Legend of Zelda movie so soon after The Super Mario Bros Movie's success implies a Nintendo cinematic universe - is this the case?

2 The Great Deku Tree Dies In The Legend Of Zelda Movie

An Important Character-Building Moment

Young Link stands before the Great Deku Tree in Zelda: Ocarina of Time

The Legend of Zelda video games mostly focus on adventuring through Hyrule to stop Ganondorf; however, one important storyline diverges from this, holding emotional depth. After Ganondorf places a curse on him, the Great Deku Tree withers and dies. In his last breath, he gives Link the task of saving Hyrule from Ganondorf. This tragic death should appear in the live-action Legend of Zelda movie due to its impact on the main character and plot. The Great Deku Tree helps shape Link since the tree functions as a father figure to the children of the forest, and his death provides emotion and sadness in an otherwise action-packed story.

Casting The Main Character

Link in close-up in Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom

The most contentious part of the Legend of Zelda movie is the casting of Link. The fandom is very divided on who should play the heroic elf, and there is concern that the live-action Legend of Zelda movie may cast Tom Holland or another A-list actor just for their name recognition. Whoever takes on the role will potentially need to convey thoughts and emotions without any dialogue. Moreover, they’ll have to understand his personality well, which may be hard since he has no lines in the video games.