Live-Action LEGEND OF ZELDA Director Wants Film to Be "Serious and Cool, but Fun and Whimsical"
Director Wes Ball (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) is currently developing the long-awaited live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda. The project is still in early development so we don’t have a lot of information, but the director continues to share his vision for the tone of the film.
During a recent interview with GameFragger, the director shared that he’s looking for the movie to be both serious and whimsical. He said:
"I have this awesome idea. I’ve been thinking about it for a long freakin’ time, of how cool a Zelda movie would be... I want to fulfill people’s greatest desires. I know it’s important, this [Zelda] franchise, to people and I want it to be a serious movie. A real movie that can give people an escape. That’s the thing I want to try to create – it’s got to feel like something real. Something serious and cool, but fun and whimsical."
That tone is right in line with the kinds of films that Studio Ghibli makes. Ball did previously explain that the movie will be more inspired by the work of Hayao Miyazaki and less like The Lord of the Rings. Ball said: “This awesome fantasy-adventure movie that isn’t like Lord of the Rings, it’s its own thing. I've always said, I would love to see a live-action Miyazaki. That wonder and whimsy that he brings to things, I would love to see something like that."
A lot of fans have always wanted to see Studio Ghibli adapt Zelda, and that seems to feel like the right direction for the movie. Ball went on to say: "It’s going to be awesome. My whole life has led up to this moment. I grew up on Zelda and it is the most important property, I think, that’s untapped IP, if you will. So we very much are working hard to do something. We’re not just trying to do it because we can. We want to make something really special."
Ball went on to offer an update on the film’s development: "We’re working on the script, and whether it’s the next one or not, it’s hard to say exactly. But certainly the plan is, after Apes is done, to have a little bit of a rest for a moment, and then dive into [Zelda] and hopefully give fans what they’re hoping for, and also invite new people in. I think Nintendo's desire is to introduce people to this world that’s been around for 40 years now."
Nintendo and Sony Pictures are co-producing the movie, with Derek Connolly (Jurassic World) writing the screenplay.
The Legend of Zelda follows the adventures of a young hero named Link, who is often tasked with rescuing Princess Zelda and battling the malevolent villain Ganon. The series is praised for its engaging, open-world exploration, intricate puzzles, and rich storytelling. Each game typically takes place in the fantasy realm of Hyrule and features a mix of action, puzzle-solving, and exploration. With a history spanning over three decades, The Legend of Zelda has consistently delivered great entertainment to gamers and fans.