'Legend of Zelda' Netflix Live Action Series News: Nintendo Open Talks
Netflix is reportedly looking to develop its own action-adventure series by teaming up with Nintendo. According to The Wall Street Journal, the streaming service is planning a live action adaptation of "The Legends of Zelda."
According to WSJ, Netflix is in the early stages of developing the series based on the best-selling videogame about a boy named Link who must rescue a princess named Zelda and save a fantasy world called Hyrule. The video streaming service is reportedly seeking writers to work on the show, and a source told the website that Netflix is describing it as "Game of Thrones" for a family audience.
Like "Game of Thrones," the "Legend of Zelda" games also feature swordfights and sorcery, but with a lighter tone.
"Legend of Zelda" inspired an animated series in 1989 that ran for 13 episodes, but has yet to have a live action incarnation. As Netflix turns to original shows to sign up new subscribers to enable it to rely less on content from studios and TV networks, a "Zelda" show would help it court gamers who already own videogame consoles through which they can access Netflix. 'Legend of Zelda' has a huge fan base that could certainly stay tuned for at least one season of an eventual show.
Right now, Netflix has new shows based on popular kid properties "The Magic School Bus" and "A Series of Unfortunate Events." The idea that Nintendo is agreeable to having one of its biggest titles developed into a TV series is said to be a big step for the gaming company.
For now, Nintendo has declined to comment on the project to The Wall Street Journal, saying it doesn't "comment on rumors and speculation." Netflix has yet to comment on the report.