Recently the news broke that Netflix are planning another of their original TV series exclusive to Netflix subscribers.
Nothing surprising there then, we all knew Netflix would keep creating these in-house TV series purely because of the quality of these products and how lucrative they have proven to be for the company. However what is surprising is that the TV show is to be an adaptation  of the world-famous video game series: LEGEND OF ZELDA. In fact that doesn’t quite cut it, I would go as far as to say that LEGEND OF ZELDA is a property that is synonymous with the art form.
This is exciting, if Netflix really go for it with the special effects and cinematography they could create some beautiful settings and impressive fictional creatures straight out of the video games. Â One of the best things about the LEGEND OF ZELDAÂ game series was the beautiful environments combined with amazing soundtrack that created a really unique feel to each level. Some of the game environments made you feel like you could explore them forever. This was down to the fact that the environments were so beautiful. That wasn’t down to high quality HD graphics though, the Zelda series was far from high-definition. It was down to the affection and passion that went into the design of the environments and orchestrating of the soundtrack. The creators put everything into creating an incredibly absorbing experience that you wanted to get lost in. Art always trumps technology in this case. If the TV series could somehow capture this magic Netflix could be onto something incredible.
Although the series will clearly have to take liberties with the plot to make a good story that works on TV, I would like for the show to have some similarities with the source material. It would be nice if the iconic themes from the games series’ scores carry over to the TV show. For example it would be nice to have TV versions of the iconic pieces of music in the show. It would create a nice continuity for the fans should they hear the iconic Zelda theme chime in when she first appears on-screen.
This series has so much potential, it could have a really cool style unlike anything else out there. An insider has been quoted as saying that Netflix’s LEGEND OF ZELDAÂ series is to be “GAME OF THRONESÂ for a family audience”. Personally I hope the series isn’t too childish or too adult either. As long as there is a balance of dark and light this show could hit the spot with a lot of people.
At the moment this series is a huge question mark. There are so many possible directions to take it, think about it, there are a number of different versions of the same story in the Legend Of Zelda franchise. There are multiple versions of the world of Hyrule and multiple versions of the character of Link in which he has a different origin. In one game they vastly changed the lore sending civilisation into the clouds, the surface of the planet being long left alone, with Link’s people flying around from one flying island to another on giant birds. There are no rules, the writers can do what they want, the only restriction is budget. It would be great if like with the game series they change it up and restart every season, they could do the story of Ocarina Of Time one season and then Skyward Sword the next.
Netflix has declined to comment and Nintendo’s official line on the matter is that they “don’t comment on rumours and speculation” however sources assure us that Nintendo and Netflix are indeed working closely on a live action version of the most popular video game franchise of all time.
