In news that should excite everyone who remembers playing the games on the original Nintendo Entertainment System, Netflix has begun developing a live action adaptation of THE LEGEND OF ZELDA. While both Nintendo and Netflix have declined to comment on the story, sources say that the project is in the very early stages of development.
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA remains one of Nintendo's flagship franchises along with Super Mario Bros. After the debacle that was the feature film based on that game, Nintendo has held their properties close and there have been no further feature films using their homegrown characters. THE LEGEND OF ZELDA has always had a very cinematic flair to it, especially in recent games, and would easily share audiences with fans of THE LORD OF THE RINGS and GAME OF THRONES.
For those unfamiliar with the games, THE LEGEND OF ZELDA follows a young boy turned warrior named Link who must save Princess Zelda from the clutches of the evil villain Ganon. Each game has had slight variations, but the central theme of good versus evil has always been shown using the concept of the Triforce. While a feature film could easily be made, a long form series would be a huge success if given the righr budget and talent.
The Wall Street Journal cites their source as saying Netflix is looking for writers to develop THE LEGEND OF ZELDA as a "family-friendly" variation on GAME OF THRONES. I wouldn't expect to see this series for at least a couple of years but this is definitely the closest we have ever been to seeing a live action take on the games.