After the massive success of “The Super Marios Bros. Movie,” Universal Pictures may be setting its sights on “The Legend of Zelda” as its next big video game adaptation. According to reports from Hollywood insider Jeff Sneider, the studio is in the process of closing a deal with Nintendo and Illumination to make this a reality.
“I’m told that Universal is, in fact, closing a ‘big deal’ with the Nintendo corporation for The Legend of Zelda,” said Sneider said on The Hot Mic podcast. “Zelda is looking like the next big Illumination-Nintendo franchise, which we were all sort of expecting. I’m told that is happening.” Adding that this will cost Universal a “pretty penny.”
But that shouldn’t be an issue considering “The Super Marios Bros. Movie” has raked in $1 billion worldwide so far. Not to mention it’s well on its way to becoming the highest-grossing video game movie adaptation. And it’s really hard to think of many video game franchises with as much staying power as “Marios Bros.” or “The Legend of Zelda.”
This also isn’t the first time Zelda has been looked at for adaptation. Back in 2015, a story was leaked about Netflix working on a live-action series based on the popular franchise. After the leak, and possibly due to fan outcry, Nintendo pulled the plug on both Zelda and a claymation “Starfox” series which was also in development. Since then, there have been rumors every few years about another attempt.
The first game in “The Legend of Zelda” series hit stores in 1987 for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Since then it has racked up 19 mainline-entry video games, several spinoffs, and a short-lived animated series in 1989. The last video game entry into the franchise is 2017’s “Breath of the Wild.” Which sold over 10 million copies in its first three days of release. The newest game “Tears of the Kingdom,” will hit stores this May.
So, to say a partnership between this series and Universal could be huge, is an understatement. We’ll keep you posted on updated about a “The Legend of Zelda” movie if/when they become available.
