The Epic Potential of a Silent Hero: Why a Legend of Zelda Movie Could Outshine This Sci-Fi Masterpiece
A potential Legend of Zelda movie, still a rumor, may faithfully capture the essence of the video game series Exploring the concept of a silent protagonist, this article discusses how the film 'No One Will Save You' successfully portrays a hero who never speaks
Highlights
Following the triumph of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, enthusiasts are left pondering which beloved childhood video game will undergo adaptation next, with The Legend of Zelda emerging as a frontrunner. The extensive heritage of Hyrule promises to bestow the screenwriter with a more effortless task.
Adapting The Legend of Zelda poses its greatest challenge in capturing the essence of Link's character. As a silent protagonist, centering a series around him may prove more challenging than anticipated by fans.
Despite the seemingly overwhelming task of maintaining Link's silence in the film adaptation, a recent sci-fi movie demonstrates that a silent protagonist can serve as an effective tool for storytelling.
After the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie featuring Chris Pratt and Jack Black, fans are eager to know which other cherished video game from their childhood will make its way to the silver screen. Among them, the iconic character of Link from The Legend of Zelda stands out. The unique nature of this property allows for both live-action and animated adaptations, both of which would greatly delight fans who long to see their beloved heroic elf come to life on the big screen. The vast and captivating world of Hyrule, with its rich history, offers a fertile ground for any talented writer.
However, the biggest challenge lies in capturing the essence of Link's character. Although he may appear simple in the games, game developers have always relied on the players' ability to project themselves onto Link and infuse him with their own personalities throughout their gameplay. Link is what is commonly referred to as a silent protagonist, a character who never utters a single word. This characteristic remains consistent in every iteration of Link in every Legend of Zelda game. Crafting a series or movie with such a character as the protagonist presents a more complex task than fans might initially expect. Nevertheless, there is at least one movie that has already demonstrated that it is indeed possible.
The Legend of Zelda Movie is Still Just a Rumor
Universal and Netflix have both expressed interest in adapting The Legend of Zelda, but there is currently no concrete evidence of a movie being in the works. All rumors surrounding a potential adaptation have originated from unofficial sources on Twitter. However, fans of the franchise can see the immense potential for a Zelda movie, considering the abundance of material available from games like Ocarina of Time and Tears of the Kingdom.
Among the various options for adaptation, Breath of the Wild stands out as a logical choice due to its straightforward storyline and detailed map of Hyrule. A live-action adaptation could take the form of a series of movies that sequentially adapt different games, or it could be developed as an anthology TV series. Regardless of the format chosen, the main character should not be portrayed as a foolish character akin to the '80s cartoon version. The Legend of Zelda holds great potential for a successful adaptation.
Link has (Mostly) Been a Silent Protagonist
Link, the protagonist of the Legend of Zelda games, is known for his lack of dialogue. However, he is not the only silent protagonist in the gaming world. Other notable examples include Gordon Freeman from Half-Life, Chell from Portal, and the playable character from Grand Theft Auto III. Link's silence was not explicitly explained until the release of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Prior to that, gamers assumed the developers wanted to emphasize the game's world or allow players to project their own personalities onto Link. According to Zelda, Link chooses to remain silent so as not to burden others with his own struggles.
It's remarkable that Link has maintained his silent nature for such a long time, especially considering how frequently he interacts with characters like Navi and Zelda, who speak directly to him. They can have entire conversations with him, yet he never utters a word. Despite this, Link remains one of the most iconic and influential characters in video game history. The absence of dialogue has led some to speculate whether Zelda should take the lead in any potential live-action adaptations of the series. After all, the franchise is named after her, and it is challenging to imagine how a movie could focus on a character who doesn't speak.
No One Will Save You Showed how to Have a Hero who Never Speaks
Introducing No One Will Save You, a captivating science fiction film that surprised audiences when it premiered on Hulu in September 2023. The unexpected twist ending and the protagonist's minimal dialogue added to the intrigue. In fact, the main character only utters two lines, and even those are spoken quietly to herself. If a Legend of Zelda movie wants to replicate this unique approach of a quiet protagonist, they should seek inspiration from the brilliant writer/director Brian Duffield.
Brynn's silence in the movie is not a deliberate vow of silence or a code of honor. Instead, she lives as a secluded outcast in a desolate location. Due to her past actions as a teenager, her neighbors ostracize her. In response, she respects their desire for distance and avoids engaging in unnecessary conversations. Though maintaining Link's silence throughout the entire film may prove challenging, it wouldn't be impossible to introduce a vow of silence for him - a creative solution to stay loyal to the original Legend of Zelda storyline.
