The Live-Action ‘Zelda’ Movie Is Finally Happening

Another classic Nintendo franchise is headed to the big screen — in live-action.

According to recent announcements, a live-action “Legend of Zelda” movie, directed by Wes Ball (known for “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes”), is set to hit theaters in 2027. Notably, Ball has been behind the camera for all three “Maze Runner” films as well.

Currently, there’s no official announcement regarding the cast of the movie. We can only hope that Timothée Chalamet will be chosen to play the character of Link, given his potential to portray the role magnificently.

In 1986, “The Legend of Zelda” made its first appearance on the original Nintendo Entertainment System. This fantasy adventure game was developed by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, and it quickly became one of the most beloved NES games. Over the years, as Nintendo introduced new consoles, this game has consistently been a staple in their collection. The latest addition to the series, “Tears of the Kingdom,” was launched in 2023.

Zelda has never had a full-length movie of its own, with the closest approximation possibly being the animated Zelda segments from the late 1980s’ Super Mario Bros. Super Show. However, following the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Nintendo has started working on a live-action Zelda film, in stark contrast to the animated format of the Mario series. Remembering the reception of the live-action Super Mario Bros. movie, we’ll keep our fingers crossed for this new project!

Miyamoto is teaming up with Avi Arad, famous for his work on Sony’s continuous Spider-Man film series, to create the movie. The live-action Zelda was initially unveiled by Nintendo and Sony in 2023, marking the first time a release date has been confirmed for the project, suggesting that production is truly underway.

The Legend of Zelda movie is scheduled to open in theaters on March 26, 2027.

The Best Sequels Made From Bad Movies

15. Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (2012)

Originally, I didn’t have high hopes for the third Madagascar (2005) movie given my feelings towards the first two installments in this rather tame animated animal series. However, Europe’s Most Wanted could be one of the most drug-inspired children’s movies since Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Unlike its predecessors, Europe’s Most Wanted doesn’t excel in storytelling coherence – it revolves around our heroes attempting to return to New York City while evading a relentless animal control officer (Frances McDormand). Nevertheless, it possesses the fast-paced narrative flow and over-the-top silliness reminiscent of classic Looney Tunes cartoons.

14. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)

A Fresh Perspective: The 2007 movie, titled Ghost Rider, sees an improvement in its sequel, Spirit of Vengeance. However, the sequel doesn’t quite reach the over-the-top intensity that a Nic Cage superhero film by Neveldine/Taylor should offer. The portrayal of Ghost Rider and his motorcycle in this film is superior, with a grittier design, but screen time for the character is limited. In comparison to the first film, Cage’s performance is less eccentric here, with only a few scenes showcasing his unusual behavior. The original Ghost Rider featured an unusual Elvis-like accent from Cage and more distinctive idiosyncrasies. In this sequel, Cage’s dialogue and freakout scenes are fewer. Despite the potential for Ghost Rider to become a unique and memorable franchise, the absence of a third film prevents it from reaching its full potential.

13. xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017)

Reframing the passage for a smoother and more conversational tone:

From a Fresh Perspective: xXx (2002)

Vin Diesel, clever enough to acknowledge the absurdity of a 50-year-old man portraying an anti-establishment extreme sports enthusiast turned secret agent in 2017’s Return of Xander Cage, opted to approach the role with a touch of humor. Instead of his serious action hero scowl from the original xXx, Diesel chose to sport a cheeky grin. Although his outrageous tattoos are the only thing linking him to the character from the first movie, Big Deez appears to be genuinely enjoying himself; this might just be one of Diesel’s most relaxed performances ever.

The original xXx now seems more outdated than the old James Bond movies it was intended to “modernize.” However, Return of Xander Cage plays everything with a knowing wink, so it still manages to work.

12. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (2005)

A Rewording of: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999)

Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith is widely regarded as superior among the prequel trilogy, albeit akin to preferring a severe bout of nausea over two other instances of vomiting profusely in the bathroom. The transformation of Anakin into Darth Vader, and later into a monster, seems more ridiculous than George Lucas intended, but the concluding scenes of Vader and the Emperor watching the Death Star are genuinely spine-tingling. Moreover, most blockbusters are characterized by an unrealistic sense of joy, so it’s difficult not to appreciate or at least grudgingly admire one that culminates with nearly all major characters either dying or serving as pawns for an evil Emperor.

11. Desperado (1995)

A Rewritten Version: Originally Made on a Shoestring Budget: El Mariachi (1992)

The legend of how Robert Rodriguez made his movie, El Mariachi, is so astounding it’s simple to disregard the film’s modest production quality. For his subsequent project, Rodriguez received a Hollywood budget and fresh talents such as Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek. This sequel surpassed the original in every imaginable aspect, offering more convincing performances, clearer direction, and more thrilling action.

10. Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (2012)

Reinterpretation:

Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning, in my opinion, perfectly encapsulates the essence of a straight-to-video sequel. It leverages an established brand merely as a pretext to create a bizarre film that wouldn’t have been greenlit otherwise, had it not been billed as a follow-up to a commercially viable franchise. The original Universal Soldier (1992) is a relatively insignificant Jean-Claude Van Damme flick from his prime period in the ’90s. Day of Reckoning, which is, interestingly enough, the sixth installment in the series about resurrected warriors used as programmable killers, presents an unusual blend of surrealism and psychedelia. Van Damme portrays a sort of undead rendition of Marlon Brando’s Col. Kurtz from Apocalypse Now, who is accumulating an army to execute his twisted decrees while a character reminiscent of Captain Willard (Scott Adkins) is assigned the mission to track him down and neutralize him. On paper, this plotline may appear derivative, but the execution is far from it; featuring false memories, dreamlike sequences, and intense combat scenes, this sequel stands out as a truly exceptional addition to the series.

9. Undisputed III: Redemption (2010)

A Fresh Perspective: Originally released in 2002 as “Undisputed,” the film directed by Walter Hill isn’t poor quality; rather, it’s a competent B-movie that can be compared to “The Longest Yard” but for boxing, featuring convicts engaging in fights within prison walls. The third installment of “Undisputed” reintroduces the villain from the previous sequel, Boyka (portrayed by Scott Adkins, known for his impressive contributions to direct-to-video sequels following his role in “Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning”). In this film, Boyka transforms into an anti-hero seeking early release from prison by participating in a high-stakes MMA tournament within the penitentiary. The narrative may not be elaborate, yet the fights are grand and breathtaking, with intense choreography skillfully captured through dramatic long shots by director Isaac Florentine. Merely contemplating this film makes me eager to rewatch it.

8. The Suicide Squad (2021)

Originally from:

An Improvement From: Suicide Squad (2016)

Marvel missed a beat when they let go of James Gunn temporarily for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, potentially opening the door for him to switch allegiances and revamp the faltering Suicide Squad series at DC. Instead of sticking with the disaster Warner Bros. created last time, Gunn salvaged key characters like Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller, while dropping the rest (unfortunately for Jared Leto).

In their stead, Gunn injected more humor and introduced several fresh faces, including Idris Elba’s Bloodsport and John Cena’s Peacemaker, whose muscular superhuman physique (and offbeat sense of humor) make him an ideal fit for the twisted parody of overzealous, patriotic heroes. Brimming with gore, laughter, and a strange, captivating beauty, The Suicide Squad is the film that many had hoped the first Suicide Squad would be.

7. Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)

A Revised Version:

Originally titled Ouija (2014), this movie was essentially a product promotion for a toy company. However, its sequel (which is actually a prequel) managed to exceed expectations under the same conditions. Kudos to Mike Flanagan, who later became renowned for his horror series on Netflix like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, for transforming what could have been a mere commercial endeavor into a somber and truly unsettling tale about the spirits that haunt those who mourn the loss of loved ones, regardless of whether they use a Ouija board to communicate with them.

6. Star Trek: First Contact (1996)

In a more fluid rephrasing, let me offer:

Originally, the film saga based on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” had a bumpy beginning with “Generations” (1994). This initial attempt to bring the show’s intellectual allure to the big screen felt clumsy. However, the producers rectified the situation with the subsequent installment, “First Contact,” which featured Captain Picard and his crew traveling back in time to thwart the Borg from altering the course of history and preventing the Federation’s formation. With high-stakes drama and a standout performance by Patrick Stewart as Picard, who harbors deep resentment towards the Borg due to their actions during “Star Trek: The Next Generation” television series, “First Contact” is a film that can be compared favorably with “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

5. Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986)

The original “Friday the 13th” (1980) is a typical slasher movie capitalizing on the success of John Carpenter’s “Halloween.” However, it took several sequels for the series to fully establish its unique identity and introduce its iconic villain, Jason Voorhees. Interestingly, in the first film, Jason was not the main antagonist. The fourth film, titled “The Final Chapter,” surpassed the original in terms of scares, but for me, “Part VI: Jason Lives” is even better. This installment acknowledges the absurdity of the fictional world these movies create and makes fun of slasher movie rules, serving as a precursor to later self-referential horror films like “Scream.” Regardless of what you call it, one thing’s for sure – it’s more entertaining than the first “Friday the 13th” movie.

4. Fast Five (2011)

My Perspective: I’ve always been a die-hard fan of the Fast & Furious series, but it was with “Fast Five” that the franchise truly hit its stride. Instead of being just another street racing flick, this film transformed into an exhilarating heist movie, fueled by testosterone and nitrous oxide. Unlike other movies in this genre, the camaraderie between the characters in Fast Five shines brightly, making it more than just a group of professionals – they’re a family, united not by greed but by loyalty. When push comes to shove, they choose each other over personal gain, which sets this film apart from its peers.

3. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)

George Miller regarded “Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior” as a second chance, a chance to utilize the lessons learned from the challenging production of the initial “Mad Max” and translate them effectively onto the screen. Indeed, Miller demonstrates exceptional learning ability. While the first “Mad Max” is an unpolished film with a raw performance by Mel Gibson and a few outstanding car stunts, “The Road Warrior” transcends to the level of a mythical masterpiece; a profound tale about a weary hero whose inner strength is rekindled through action and self-sacrifice following past traumas. “The Road Warrior” expands its narrative canvas and strikes much deeper emotional chords than “Mad Max.” It surpasses its predecessor to such an extent that it essentially made the original redundant.

2. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)

The sequel, “Hellboy: The Golden Army” (2008), surpasses the original 2004 film in numerous aspects. Characters that were dull in the first movie have been replaced, with Hellboy himself having his milquetoast perspective character transferred to Antarctica as a joke. The antagonists in this film are far more intriguing, with their primary motivation being “Humanity sucks,” making them almost tragic heroes.

The effects are more refined, the creature designs are distinctively Del Toro-esque, and each character has higher stakes. Even the sidekick Abe Sapien, known for his quirky fish-man persona, gets a personal arc and even a love interest! If you ask me, Guillermo del Toro should have won his Oscar for this movie instead of “The Shape of Water.

1. Logan (2017)

A Revised Version of: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

The disparity in quality between a subpar initial film and an outstanding sequel might not be as vast as that between X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Logan. In contrast to its predecessor, Logan provided a fitting portrayal of the title character’s raw, tragic essence, shrouded in blood and sorrow. Its R-rating facilitated a grittier, more intense narrative, perfectly aligned with the tale of his approaching end. Moreover, it escalated the tension for a character whose regenerative ability made every conflict seem almost effortless.

By now, Hugh Jackman’s Logan is aging to the point where his mutant abilities are faltering, which wouldn’t be so problematic if he didn’t suddenly find a new purpose to live and battle for – a young girl named Laura (Dafne Keen), genetically linked to him, making her the closest thing to a child he will ever have. This sets an excellent foundation for Wolverine’s final story, and writer/director James Mangold crafted it with a poignant, melancholic atmosphere.

2025-03-28 17:28