Recently, there have been fairly believable rumours that there is a live-action Zelda series in the making for Netflix. Only time will tell if this show becomes a reality, but it appears that in the meantime fans are taking it upon themselves to fulfil that need for a cinematic live-action Zelda.
A project recently popped up on YouTube that is a collaboration between The Zelda Project and Player Piano to re-enact the final battle between Link and Ganondorf. The Zelda Project is a fan run website based in Los Angeles, California that focuses on recreating various scenes and locales from the Zelda series via photography, film, and art. Player Piano is a YouTube channel run by Filmmaker Tom Grey that primarily focuses on classically-trained musician, Sonya Belousova, recreating video game music on a piano. Both of these groups appear to be quite talented, so this fan-film could definitely be worth a watch when it's completed. Here's the teaser for the film:
What do you think of this? What would you like to see out of a live-action Zelda film or show? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 35
aaaaaand it's gone.
@Tsurii897 also yeah, that Navi was awful lol.
Even though there are no lines, that Link came across as pretty bad acting.
I also think it's trying too hard to stay close to the source material. It feels fan fiction-y and silly. (The shield colors, navi sound effect and "hey!", etc.)
It's still quite impressive, and I'm sure they had fun making it!
I was hoping it to be animated but eh ok.
I'm sure they know it's not like a professional movie, no need to point that out. They still did a great job, so looking forward to seeing the "Final Battle"!
It's difficult to translate the Legend of Zelda to other mediums. Though cheesy, I appreciate them trying
The cinematography looked great, but everything else made it look corny.
That's the problem with live action Zelda. This was very well made, things looked just as they should. But it simply doesn't work. The series belongs in another medium.
It was great up until Navi. They should have just stuck with a little ball of light with wings.
I am still curious to see how it will turn out though.
@Tsurii897 Yep.
Looks decent for a fan film, I'll give it a B- at best. I just don't like those three shots with Link still riding on Epona. They could had just rotate the camera to make it follow Link more.
I thought it was okay until I saw Navi. @DBPirate I agree, she should've stayed as a ball of light
Love the tagline. I read it in the movie announcer voice
Truthfully, I'd rather see a more Twilight Princess inspired Link fighting a Twilight Princess inspired Ganondorf. WITHOUT THE NAVI.
Also, giving Link a voice isn't even bad as long as the writing's good.
Ah man, makes me excited for the Zelda Netflix series. Anyways, subscribed to these guys
Link needs to get his eyebrows lightened. They should use an actor who is naturally fair haired to play him, that guy looks odd because of his dark eyebrows.
I'm surprised by the costume quality. Or lack of it. I know this is not a professional production, but you can get an actual metal, authentic-looking Hylian shield replica for $100 or less. That one is very obviously cheap plastic and kills the illusion from only seconds into the trailer. Also, I'm no equestrian, but that horse appears to be galloping very slowly, which leads me to believe the actor has had very little riding practice. And it jarringly cuts from Link riding along the path to riding in the grass to back on the path.
I wouldn't hold a fan film like this to a very high standard, but these are cheap, easy and obvious things to address. What I do expect from fan productions is at least a higher level of care than this shows so far.
So...
Impressive ambition, some nice integrated environment effects and tone.
After all that work the Navi thing was just incredibly ouch.
And yes, that beautiful horse was just not going fast enough to match the music, but how many fan films have tried to pull of Epona riding at high speed? So again good on the ambition, painful on the execution.
There were parts of the costume I actually liked. If you are going to do the white tights thing, I like that they went for some texture with it rather than, you know, tights.
Can't wait to see what professional costume and production designers do with this material if/when the live action Netflix series comes to pass.
Also... why didn't he ride Epona a little (read: much) closer before walking?
This is all stuff that can be learned with experience though and I love watching people execute on stuff like this.
Watched it again and that costume and even the look of Link isn't too bad (yeah a natural blonde would be better). It's really the shield that kills it and even with the texture on the white clothing, the pants just can't be white like that. Just makes no sense. Still, the look of link with the right proportioned ears and natural greens are probably the best part. That and the empty landscapes were nice.
The whole Link outfit really contrasts the grim feel they're trying to pull off and kills it. If they would use hair that's not so blonde (a dirt blonde, like the Twilight Princess Link's hair) and got a better shield it would do wonders.
This really looks promising, it's only Navi's depiction that sounds and looks really silly and stupid. I think if they're going to make her visible she must look more cartoonish than like a human girl (like she does in that trailer). And her voice is really awful.
Honestly I'd rather prefer if it were based on Twilight Princess (maybe with Midna?) or Skyward Sword (seeing Fi would be awesome!).
Oh a live action version of a tennis match.
The visual effects were stunning, but the audio effects were not.
I like the Australian Navi. Well done!
@BlatantlyHeroic
Yeah, the shield definitely needs to be a few shades darker. I thought Link looked pretty good though.
Uuurrrgggg...
See, this is why I'm skeptical of any Zelda live-action film.
The games are whimsical fairytales - but translated to the silver screen, it just looks so damn goofy. I've seen many people try to play Link over the years, but it simply doesn't work. They simply copy the games' aesthetic, without really thinking if it's suitable for the filmic medium.
And that Navi voice made me shudder something fierce...
Who knows, maybe one day someone will get it right; but I'd be just as happy to stick with the games!
Thought everything was pretty good...yeah...except Navi. She looked fine, just...dat voice. I was like WUUUUT.
@Kage_88
I agree completely. It's EXTREMELY hard to nail an adaption of something like Zelda. Although I have to say the costume side of things in this looked better than most. Usually people make the world around him all realistic and then his sword and shield and clothes are like cosplay items- bright and colorful with no natural wear and tear.
Anyway, I'm still clinging to hope with these live-action possibilities through Netflix. Let's all remember that the Lord of the Rings was once upon a time deemed 'unfilmable'. And PJ's original trilogy was a nearly perfect adaption. Let's just hope Zelda and Link get as much justice.
It has promise. I'll definitely check out the final version.
A 3D CGI movie collaboration between Nintendo and Disney would be the way to go for Zelda I reckon.
I like this up until the end because of navi. Another things is even though link could go as just being silent I think he also need to talk. I mean he had the " come on" in wind waker. Plus it would be kind of wierd if he didn't talk cuz then it would be him just doing a lot of nodding and stuff when the characters are talking but they could make it so that didn't happen if he's going to be silent. Also if he's going to talk they would need to find a really good actor and not just some regular American actor. Not being racist here I'd just prefer link to have a British or Australian voice. Plus if the actors don't have the right voices I wouldn't like the tv show as much.
@Aslanmagic:
What? The whole Zelda franchise is cheesy as hell.
I was beggining to like it, then Navi came
@opeter Blasphemy!!! Really enjoying Majora's Mask though
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