The Legend of Zelda Movie: Why Link's Absence is Essential

When news of a movie adaptation of The Legend of Zelda surfaced, it sparked a debate: Should main character Link have dialogue? Many feel passionately that the silent protagonist should remain that way, citing past examples of unsuccessful attempts to give him a voice. The fear is that adding dialogue may detract from the character's appeal, either by making him obnoxious and arrogant, as in a 1989 cartoon adaptation, or by reducing him to a one-dimensional, uninteresting personality, as in a recent Super Mario Bros. movie adaptation.

Regardless of the perspective, there seems to be a consensus that everyone is mistaken. Whether or not Link has a voice is irrelevant, as the series is not named "The Legend of Link." The focus of a potential Legend of Zelda movie should truly be on the franchise's most compelling and multi-dimensional character, whose name is right in the title.

Unlike Link, Zelda is a character who not only speaks in the games, but also possesses a notable personality. Throughout the years, there have been various iterations of Zelda, each defined by significant traits, offering a wide range of options for any adaptation. She has been portrayed as a wise sage, a noble and dutiful monarch, and even a sorceress with the ability to manipulate time. She has experienced visions of impending calamity as a child and even appeared as a ghostly presence in Link's dreams. Additionally, she has taken on roles such as an archaeologist, the leader of a group of heroes utilizing giant robots to save the world, a covert ninja, and a formidable pirate captain.

It can seem like all the different versions of her imply she's constantly evolving as a character, much like Link. Whether she's a ninja, archaeologist, pirate, or divine instrument, adding a personality to Link for the sake of drama doesn't seem all that different. However, despite the various interpretations of Zelda, they all share the essential elements of her personality. This means a movie wouldn't have to create her from scratch, unlike with Link. Zelda is consistently depicted as a natural leader, constantly seeking knowledge, marked by a poignant and selfless wisdom, and always compassionate and driven by her sense of duty to others. Despite the numerous portrayals of Zelda, she remains a well-defined and recognizable character. She's typically the one driving the action - the one with the knowledge of how to defeat evil and the one guiding Link on where to go and what to do.

Honestly, simply mentioning "secret ninja" or "pirate captain" should be enough to convince you that any Legend of Zelda movie should revolve around the legendary Zelda. But if you need further persuasion, look no further than the two most recent mainline Zelda games. Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom primarily feature Link in terms of gameplay, but in every narrative aspect, they are Zelda games. As a result, they deliver the best, most character-focused stories the series has ever seen. The only issue is that you have to put in the effort to uncover and piece together that story yourself.

Breath of the Wild centers around Zelda's struggle with her apparent destiny. Ganon, an apocalypse-in-human-form, is expected to awaken after being defeated millennia earlier, and it falls to Zelda to seal him away with magic before he ravages Hyrule once more. However, unlocking her hereditary magical power proves to be challenging, causing her to feel like a failure and impacting her relationships. When she meets Link, her appointed bodyguard, she initially dislikes him due to his lack of speech and apparent lack of character or motivation. She eventually embarks on a journey to unite and lead heroes who can stand against Ganon, but they ultimately fail, leading to the end of the world. Zelda and Link are then on the run as they try to avoid being annihilated by the ancient evil Zelda has been told her entire life that it's her job to stop.

Despite being buried by Nintendo, the story is compelling as it delves into Zelda's struggles with her responsibilities as a princess and a legendary figure. Her frustration in unlocking her supposed magical abilities and battling feelings of inadequacy are palpable, but she eventually grows as a person, overcoming her self-doubt and proving her strength as a leader. Tears of the Kingdom further explores this growth by putting Zelda in a time-travel story where she sacrifices for the greater good.

In contrast, Link's journey in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom mainly involves his presence during the aforementioned events. He demonstrates his resilience by refusing to succumb at crucial junctures, and displays courage and prowess in wielding a sword.

It's simply incomparable. Moreover, we have already experienced numerous games depicting Link's adventures in traversing the world, awakening sages, extracting swords from rocks, combating monsters, and even engaging in quirky encounters with chickens. The story would not significantly benefit from adaptation into a movie, regardless of any added or omitted character traits. With the existing Legend of Zelda narratives featuring Link, accessible through interactive gameplay, there is little purpose in merely observing someone else portray them.

The focus of the movie should be on the person at the center of the story, who is often overshadowed in the games. If Link is included, he could be depicted as Zelda's faithful bodyguard, adding dimension to Zelda's character and creating a decent-ish romance. However, Link's presence is not essential to the main story, as he primarily serves as a tool for players to navigate the game. The movie should primarily focus on Zelda's development as a character, with occasional glimpses of Link's actions, leading up to a climactic moment where he assists Zelda in defeating their enemy.

For a top-notch Legend of Zelda movie, look no further than a Zelda film--that's just the truth. Whether it's pirates, ninjas, sorcery, or time travel, she can handle it all. You could delve into a fantasy Indiana Jones adventure like Breath of the Wild, or explore a world filled with monsters akin to Waterworld in Wind Waker, or even tell a tale of post-apocalyptic bravery like Ocarina of Time. The possibilities are endless. The Legend of Zelda movie is an opportunity for Zelda to truly shine.

Editor's P/S

1. I agree with the author that the Legend of Zelda movie should focus on the character of Zelda rather than Link. Link is a silent protagonist, and his lack of dialogue is one of the things that makes him so iconic. Giving him a voice would fundamentally change the character and could potentially ruin him.

2. Zelda, on the other hand, is a much more complex and well-developed character. She has a strong personality and a clear motivation, and she is the driving force behind the story. A movie adaptation of The Legend of Zelda should focus on Zelda's journey and her struggle to save Hyrule from the evil forces of Ganon.