Want A Good Zelda Netflix Adaptation? Leave Link Out

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We learned a few weeks ago that Netflix was shopping scripts for a Legend of Zelda inspired TV series. Based on rumors the concept is a family friendly version of Game of Thrones. The comparison makes sense, the Zelda games have a huge fan base and the same mix of medieval and magical elements that GoT has made popular. While the similarities may make TV producers salivate at the potential, the noteworthy difference between the franchises is the source material; Game of Thrones is based on novels while the Zelda TV series would be an adaptation of a video game. It’s a significant difference.

Video games are made, primarily, to be fun to play. Gameplay is king. The elements that make a video game fun can include engaging storytelling and immersive plot, but generally stories are told as necessary. We know gameplay before plot is the Nintendo way, which has given us great games, but not necessarily well-rounded characters. Fans may not realize how the demands of gameplay have stifled character development in the Zelda games, especially that of Link, the series’ main protagonist. We’ve known Link for almost 29 years, but how well do we really know him? Have we mistaken familiarity for insight? How do you portray Link, a silent one-dimensional character, in a live action TV show? You don’t.


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Give Link a voice?

Link, the main character of the Zelda franchise, has been silent in the games for almost 29 years. And when I say silent, I mean silent. None of the Zelda games to this point have had full voice acting, but Link hasn’t even had on screen text or dialogue (with some exceptions in AoL). Nothing. There are times in the games when we see Link in the act of speaking but we only get the message from context or from another character. Nintendo seems to have made the conscious decision at this point to keep Link mute as they’ve implied that, in addition to being a “link” between past and future, Link is meant to be an avatar for the player, a “link” to the game world. It makes sense then to leave Link’s exact words and thoughts undefined so the player can fill in the gaps. So would Nintendo want a screenwriter and an actor, after 29 years, to give Link a voice that the games never have? To define their character in a way that Nintendo never has? For a company that is notoriously protective of its franchises, does that make sense creatively or commercially?


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3-D

Despite being a silent, mostly one-dimensional character, Link has developed some personality traits over the series. We know he’s a day-dreamer because we’ve seen him sleep in to begin several games; we know he’s amiable because we’ve seen how he interacts with other characters; and we know he’s a hero because he draws his sword and shield when danger threatens.The things we know about Link we know because the games have shown us. Actions speak louder than words, in life and in storytelling. Show don’t tell.

And still, as a character, Link falls flat. Because we don’t know what Link thinks or says, we don’t know what Link wants or fears or how he feels in a meaningful way. Beyond his immediate situation we don’t know what he’s thinking about on a basic level, which is fine for a video game, because we don’t need him to be three-dimensional. All we need to know is that he’s the good guy and that he’s a hero. That’s enough, but only because it’s a video game. The video game player has a particular expectation and makes a different invest than does a Netflix viewer. People watching TV, whether they know it or not, want characters with depth, characters that are conflicted and human and relatable. Link, in this sense, has not yet made the successful jump to 3-D, and a TV series is probably not the best place to start.


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Hyrule Historia

Despite the difficulties a Zelda live action adaptation poses, I’m not against the idea altogether. The Zelda Universe is rich with source material to be exploited, it’s just a matter of doing it right. I say set the story in Hyrule then go from there. Whether it’s creating new characters or working with existing ones, let them loose in a Hyrule that’s somewhat familiar to fans but write new stories and leave Link out of it. It’s easier that way. I know there are people that will scoff at the suggestion of a Zelda TV series without Link, but the less writers have to worry about stepping on or around the sacred ground of the existing historia, the better.

 

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About Author

Cole is an attorney in Chicago, IL. He's been a Zelda fan since Ocarina of Time taught him what true power, wisdom, and courage really are.In his free time you can find Cole at the fishing hole or playing hockey.

  • Ruben Wulms

    I agree… Filling in parts of the saga that have to this day been filled in by the imagination of the player will lead to a decline in the series.
    It can be done however, mabye if they set it in the 7 years that link spend in the sacred realm in OoT… this way the characters will be able to discuss link, but he himself won’t be shown.

    • Noah Glaser

      I think that is a good idea. There is definitely so much lore to the series that Link is not needed to drive the story