In November of 2023, Nintendo announced that, alongside Sony Pictures, it would be producing a live-action The Legend of Zelda feature-length film. For years, fans have both shown interest and disdain for an adaptation of the decades-long series. Now, for better or for worse, Link and Princess Zelda are headed for the big screen.
The Legend of Zelda does not tell a singular chronological story, instead opting for connected standalone stories with recurring characters — heroes and villains alike. This gives director Wes Ball and executive co-producers Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad a lot of storylines to choose from. The Legend of Zelda has a rich history, but there are a few storylines that stick out as strong choices for our favorite green-clad warrior’s silver screen debut.
Here, we’ll be looking at specific plot threads from throughout the series that could be taken from their respective games and be used in a movie.
If you want to check out which Zelda games as a whole should be made into a movie, check out our article on that too!
7 Link Goes To The Sacred Realm – And Sleeps For 7 Years
One of the key moments in Ocarina of Time sees Link hopping into a spiritual holy world called the Sacred Realm. While it first appeared in A Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time’s rendition also involves Link obtaining the Master Sword in the Sacred Realm and subsequently being trapped there for 7 years.
This would serve as an easy way to do a sort of timeskip mid-movie. Link could start the movie as a child but end up as an adolescent by the end, providing a broader scope for the character, while also giving the world around him some time to develop offscreen. It doesn’t need to happen exactly as it does in Ocarina, but it would be cool to at least see multiple realms explored.
This also opens the door to getting the Seven Sages involved, which would make a lot of classic Zelda fans happy. A seven year timeskip in the middle of a movie isn’t common, but if done right, could provide audiences with a unique and fresh fantasy narrative much like Ocarina of Time did back in 1998.
6 Sheik – Survivor Of The Sheikah
Sheik only appeared in one game, the aforementioned Ocarina of Time. However, their cultural impact goes much deeper than just that single appearance. Sheik, who is revealed to be Princess Zelda’s post-timeskip persona, is a mysterious warrior who aids Link in his quest to defeat Ganon. This role can be filled by other characters as well, maybe even an original character for the film. This storyline is particularly resonant, as it aschews traditional gender roles in fantasy settings.
While screenwriter Derick Conolly doesn’t necessarily need to match this storyline beat for beat, it does make for a great third act reveal. It also gives Princess Zelda agency and her own set of badass powers, flipping the idea of a damsel in distress on its head. And besides, who doesn’t want to see Sheik in live action?
5 “It’s Dangerous To Go Alone! Take This.”
Okay, admittedly, this is less of a storyline and more of a… line of dialogue. First spoken by an old man with no name who gives Link his first weapon, “It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this.” has become a popular meme for gamers of all ages. However, it is also the first line of dialogue spoken in The Legend of Zelda series, and serves as a leaping off point for Link’s journey.
Though seemingly just a throwaway line, it prepares the audience for Link’s solitary fight against the forces of evil, while also beginning his classical hero’s journey. This is Link’s ‘stepping through the threshold’ moment, where there is no turning back. Not only that, but he also gets his first weapon. In the film, this would be an Easter egg or a story beat that people cheer for and talk about, while also holding a deeper sense of new beginnings. If it kicked off the beloved video game series, it would only make sense for it to kick off its film adaptation.
4 Multiple Links
This is definitely one of the trickier storylines to nail, but could appear in a sort of modulated way. Originally, Link is split into ‘Links’ when he pulls the legendary Four Sword out of a pedestal to defeat the mage of the winds, Vaati, in the game Four Swords. The four links would go on to appear in Four Swords Adventures as well, with an expanded storyline. This concept was revolutionary for the series, as it introduced an unprecedented multiplayer option.
While it wouldn’t need to be central to the storyline of the film, it would be a fun moment to have multiple Links onscreen at once. And, if we’re being extra bold, it could also introduce a multiverse of sorts. In Four Swords, Link splits into four different versions of the same person — but what if, in the movie, we see multiple Links from multiple timelines. The Legend of Zelda chronology allows for this, and it could be a fun way to acknowledge where the movie sits in the grand scheme of the series.
3 The Great Calamity
The Great Calamity and its following Second Great Calamity sets the backdrop for both Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. Exploring this world and aesthetic would give the film a sort of post-apocalyptic vibe that would resonate with audiences today. Using the Great Calamity as the movie’s backstory would also set up the different cultures and species that reside in Hyrule.
If the moviemakers decide to go this route, it would be wise to include the four Champions, whose Divine Beasts would be seriously awesome to see come to life in live action. While some of the attention would be pulled away from Link, The Great Calamity storyline creates what feels like a living, breathing, and established world for the characters to reside — and for the filmmakers to play in.
2 Link Has To Build Up His Armory
In almost every modern Zelda game, Link does not start as a legendary hero, kitted out with the best sword, armor, and shield. Instead, he starts humble and ready to rumble — with basic gear and a dream. It would be amazing to see the movie follow a similar track. Slowly, Link could obtain items like the Master Sword, the Hylian Shield, and if the writers are feeling especially nostalgic, some silver arrows as well.
This storyline would be amazing, as it pays homage to the entire series as a whole and also adds very game-like element to the plot. It also makes the final confrontation with Ganon feel earned — Link has had to work up to this moment, gathering the right supplies and making sure he has enough hearts to take on the dastardly villain.
1 A Ganondorf With Depth
Ganondorf is usually the embodiment of evil, which makes him a pretty one-dimensional character. It would be fascinating to see him developed into a deeper villain with real wants and needs. The filmmakers could even take notes from The Wind Waker and have Ganondorf be manipulated by some external force.
Regardless of how they go about it, the movie could truly be a cut above by giving Ganondorf space to be a truly dynamic character, rather than the stock big bad evil guy we’re used to. He can be both, too. On one hand, he is an evil king who is actively hurting Hyrule; on the other, he could have some sympathetic moments — or at least a reason as to why he is so villainous.