Remember that story about Netflix working on a live-action Zelda series? It got people pretty excited - and understandably so, given the popularity of the franchise.
However, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has poured a big old bucket of disappointment over the whole venture by pointing out that the original source isn't actually reliable.
Speaking to Time, Iwata said:
As of now, I have nothing new to share with you in regard to the use of our IPs for any TV shows or films, but I can at least confirm that the article in question is not based on correct information.
Of course, those comments stopped short of saying the series isn't happening - just that the information is incorrect. What that could possibly mean is anyone's guess; perhaps it's not Netflix but another firm which is working on the series, or perhaps Zelda isn't the subject but one of Nintendo's other franchises? Or maybe the whole rumour was a big pile of Epona dung?
Share your own verdict on Iwata's comments by posting one of your own below.
Image credit: The one and only Zelda rap video, natch.
[source time.com]
Comments (55)
Well i'm glad.
@thegreninja47 So am I.
Meh, I wasn't holding my breath.
Dang it, I really want this Zelda live tv thing.
@thegreninja47 I am also glad
Thank god!
Thank the gods!! Ok, but some CG films along the lines of the pikmin films would be great. I have big money for you, Nintendo.
May naga be praised. XD
Well, I, for one, now have a sad. If anyone would like to share this sad with me, feel free to join me in the corner. The handkerchiefs are complimentary.
yeah lets not do a zelda tv show. Nor a metroid movie either. Hell they couldn't even get Mario right back in the 90s with his movie.
I'd prefer animation anyway. Maybe it'll come eventually; we never know.
They couldn't find A MONKEY to play the parts right so the canceled it before it BOB-OMBED.
Live action Zelda would probably be Hollywood-ized and awkward looking anyway. Do not want.
Animated, on the other hand, could work.
I'm kind of glad, actually.
And... why didn't they debunk this sooner, I don't know. But at least this opens up the possibilities for an animated Zelda TV series or movie instead, if they ever wish to make one. Animation fits Zelda much more than live-action.
I'm going for Epona dung... I don't think there will be a Zelda TV Show.
I thought Nintendo didn't comment on rumors or speculation. I guess this one was just being presented as truth?
There was once a series of Zelda... it was corny and bad. And when I look at this Link and Zelda, all I can say is PLEASE NO! Never make a real movie out of a video game or haven't you learned from the infamous Super Mario Movie?
Good.
@bro2dragons (grabs handkerchief)
...wait...
...this handkerchief isn't used, is it?
I'm going to play everyone's favorite badguy again and say it.
Animes/cartoons/movies/tv shows based on video games are a STEP DOWN. It's like relinquishing power from the player and putting it in the hands of the writers.
Not that it can't be good, it just usually isn't.
@AugustusOxy Pokemon, nothing more to say.
Huzzah.
I was...hopeful. My excitement was contingent on them doing this right, of course, which is not a given. But season-long adaptations of one game at a time, if done well, could have been epic.
@CharlyDunst with the fantasy/comic book genre as big as it is I actually could see Zelda working. Especially if you get someone who passionate and respectful of the IP. Bonus points of they could manage a film where Link didn't say a peep.
Super Mario is the type of movie/series that simply doesn't work as live action. Can? Yes. It would actually pretty kick butt. But live action? Nah! Unless it's this gem:
@Sir_JBizzle "Like new."
Shame. Was looking forward to see how this turned out.
@bro2dragons so... It's been washed before?
Eeeehhhh... I should've known. Nintendo is very stingy with their properties, and will rarely let anyone use them for anything. They even turned down Archie Comics' offers to do a comic series based on their properties. (You can find images of the pitch online.) Which is a shame, 'cause Archie does a good job on Megaman & their Sonic comics.
Honestly, I'm a li'l disapointed, and further disapointed to see close-minded Nintendo fans in the comments HAPPY that it isn't real. I know game movies, and such media haven't worked well in the past, but consider this. People who played those video games as children/teens, are now in the entertainment industry, and know more about the series then the people back in the late '80s who made "Captain N," and such.
So honestly, i think now is a better time for something like that to happen. In fact, the people who make the Megaman & Sonic comics were fans of those series in their childhood, and I feel they do a good job on them, and know alot about said franchises.
Heck, Sonic got a new TV show (that's actually pretty amusing) and Mario hasn't had a new show sense 1991. (Considering Sega has allowed the official Sonic comic to last over 20 years tells me that's one thing they have Nintendo kinda "beat" in. They're not afraid to explore other media with their characters, or license things.) I wish Nintendo wasn't so stingy/overprotective of it's properties sometimes.
I'm glad. I hope they don't abandon the idea of bringing their IP to TV/streaming devices though. I mean with Pokemon and Yokai Watch (and maybe Inazuma Eleven, I don't know how big that IP is) having regular cartoons backing up the game series and doing really well as a result, you'd hope they'd see the merit.
Star Fox would make an amazing Saturday morning cartoon! Kid Icarus has proven itself with the shorts they released as has Pikmin. And I still think Sin & Punishment would make an awesome anime, albeit one of pure spectacle over actual plot. I struggle to see Zelda work.
I think this is a good thing. I wouldn't trust Netflix to produce anything worthy of the name and I'd rather not see the IP's reputition getting damaged.
Good news.
I wonder what part of the information was incorrect...
Honestly, I'd prefer that this TV series never came to fruition. The Legend of Zelda should stay as games in my opinion. It's better that way.
Way to ruin everything, Iwata. He should've said this earlier before everyone got all hyped for it.
Ugh! Was looking forward to it
Honestly, It doesn't bother me. I'm much more of a fan of anime rather than live action, so I would rather they would possibly consider an anime.
Nothing good could've come from this!
All he said was the that the article wasn't based on correct information. That just means something is incorrect about it. Or everything. Just saying that later when there is a Zelda TV show but it doesn't happen just like the article, let's try not to call Iwata a liar.
y u do dis to me?!
Laaaaaaaaaaamme.
Netflix has been putting out quality material, this would be a great avenue for Nintendo to promote their properties if handle correctly but whatever. :-/
why would he wait this long to deconfirm if it isn't happening seems weird to me
There's always the chance they've checked out enough Zelda fan-films to know it can look pretty freaking ridiculous in live-action.
Still, this doesn't rule out the possibility of a CGI or insanely well-drawn series.
Good, now we don't have to worry if it sucks if one is in the making.
@Onion851 Same here.It would have been better than the Zelda smartphone game that it's probably coming.
Good.
Nice turn around, a least it boosted the share value for awhile!
I heard many years ago that a movie was going to be made for theaters and the writer's wanted Spielberg to direct. That was about 15 years ago, and they stopped that. Unless the right director picks this up, and I would only see Spielberg being able to bring the world to life, I don't think anyone else should touch it. This is an epic game, which means it would have to be an epic movie, and since almost all of the other video-game movies end up flopping, who would pick it up thinking there would be a hit, plus, who would take Link's voice (as he never had one in the game), which would then lead nintendo to giving him a voice in the games. There would be too many special effects and visual effects in this film that it would look too fake. I'd love to see one happen, if it's in the right hands, but I would see it also being a hit or miss.
@Sir_JBizzle Yeah, I have to agree that I liked this series when I was young (even though I don't understand why, now that I'm an adult). Still, I'm against real movie adaptations of video games. I just remembered how horrible Resident Evil was. The CG movies were acceptable, but only because they had the original characters and voices for Clair and Leon (at least I guess so).
If they would make a CG for Zelda, sure, I would give it a try but as you mentioned, only if Link is the silent hero because this game go wrong on so many levels... I only say "Excuuuse me Princess"... uhhhh!
What we need is a smash bros anime
A Zelda live action series would be so easy to mess up its not funny. But for me it would have to be absolutely perfect to be enjoyable. Most videogame to movie adaptions have been pretty bad. They always goofy them up somehow. This is not one that needs that special goofiness which Hollywood seems to think makes a good on screen transformation
@Spoony_Tech Love the new avatar! Awesome
His quote doesn't deny anything, at the very most it calls into question the description of the possible show.
Fans who fear any sort of show or movie need to get with the times. It all seems to stem from that 80s cartoon. Which is ridiculous. Of course that cartoon was horrible, most cartoons from the 80s were.
I doubt this will happen, I'm going with epona dung. ><
I think Zelda could work well if done with correctly with care and respect for the IP, but I also see that some people are not going to take the risk of spending lots to make the show quality because if the show failed, money?=Gone. Also I'm pretty sure Nintendo are never gonna let anyone make a proper movie/TV show out of they're IPs ever again after the Mario Bros. Movie. Sadly they just cannot trust anymore.
Hopefully it just means it won't be like Game of Thrones. That would make my day.
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