The Zelda universe, born in video games, is vast and full of adventures that have fascinated generations of players over the years. Now, with the long-awaited live-action Zelda game confirmed by Nintendo, it’s time to prepare to dive even deeper into this realm of magic and mystery. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what you need to know and expect from the highly anticipated film, from the origins of the Zelda universe to the iconic characters that bring this epic journey to life.
What is Zelda?
Before we get into the details, it’s essential to understand what the game is actually about. Zelda is a fantasy game series created by Nintendo, which began in 1986 with the game “The Legend of Zelda”. Developed primarily by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, Zelda has become a successful franchise, with dozens of titles released for various platforms over the years.
The series is known for its unique blend of adventure, exploration, puzzle, and combat elements, all set in a vast and richly detailed world called Hyrule. The main protagonist of the series is Link, often accompanied by Princess Zelda, from whom the series is named, and the recurring antagonist Ganondorf.
Main characters:
Despite having had countless endearing characters throughout its history, the Zelda franchise has three characters that tend to take center stage whenever there’s a new narrative and it’s certain that these will be in the live-action Zelda:
Link is the recurring hero of the Zelda series, often portrayed as a brave young man wearing a green tunic and iconic cap and sporting his classic pointy ears. Your mission is to defeat Ganondorf and save Princess Zelda, as well as protect the kingdom of Hyrule. Link is known for his swordsmanship, strategic intelligence, and pure heart.
Zelda is the princess of Hyrule and often plays an integral role in the plot. She is a wise and courageous character, often possessing magical powers. While she was captured by Ganondorf in some iterations of the series, she Zelda is also known for her ability to defend herself and even fight alongside Link.
Ganondorf is the main antagonist of the Zelda series. He is generally portrayed as a powerful and evil sorcerer seeking to gain the power of the Triforce, a sacred relic in Hyrule. Ganondorf is cunning, powerful, and a constant threat to the kingdom of Hyrule and Link. If we can already think of a villain for live-action Zelda, there is no better choice than the most iconic of the series.
The story you need to know
The central plot of the Zelda series revolves around the conflict between Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf over the Triforce and the fate of Hyrule. The Triforce is a relic made up of three pieces: Power, Wisdom and Courage. Each of these pieces is associated with one of the main characters.
Ganondorf seeks the ultimate power of the Triforce to conquer Hyrule and dominate the kingdom. Link, as the chosen hero, seeks the courage to face the challenges that come his way. Zelda, as the wielder of Wisdom, plays a crucial role in understanding and resolving the events that threaten Hyrule.
Over the course of the games, players explore dungeons, face monsters, and solve puzzles to progress the story. Each title adds new elements to the narrative, expanding the Zelda universe and deepening the connection between the main characters.
Zelda Timeline:
A unique feature of the Zelda series is its complex timeline. The games are not released in chronological order and do not necessarily have sequels to each other, nor do they even take place in the same universe, being more accepted by fans that it is truly a legend, told in different ways, ways and eras. Despite this, we can assume that three timelines exist:
- The result of the failure of the hero Link in “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time”. This leads to divergent events in two branches, creating two alternate realities.
- A timeline where Link defeats Ganon in “Ocarina of Time” and subsequent events lead to an era of peace.
- A timeline where Link is defeated in “Ocarina of Time”, resulting in a world where Ganon rules Hyrule.
Knowing this history will most likely have no impact on what we can have in a live-action Zelda game, as it alone has minimal impact on releases, but it’s still worth knowing.
Other media and parallel stories:
In addition to the mainline games, long before the announcement of the live-action Zelda, the franchise expanded its universe to other forms of media, including manga, books, and animated series. These media often explore aspects of the Zelda universe that may not be fully covered in the mainline games.
Zelda manga, for example, offer a more detailed look at characters and events, often expanding or reinterpreting the narrative. The books also provide further insight, exploring Hyrule’s mythology and the backgrounds of the main characters.
However, it’s important to note that the live-action Zelda film could follow its own interpretation of Zelda’s story. Adaptations have the freedom to explore new elements and different points of view, or delve into previously underused aspects and, probably, the live-action Zelda will follow this line, where there will probably be no need for prior knowledge of the franchise.
With a live-action Zelda film in the offing, it’s exciting to consider the possibilities this film adaptation could offer fans of the series and new viewers alike. With iconic characters, a rich storyline, and decades of lore to explore, the Zelda universe is ready to come to life in a whole new way.
While nothing about the plot has actually been revealed, we can definitely expect an epic journey, full of magic, action, and a narrative that has stood the test of time. This guide aims to provide a solid foundation of knowledge so you can dive headfirst into the experience, preparing you not only for the film, but for all the richness of the Zelda universe that precedes it.
Whether you’re a series veteran or someone just discovering the enchantment of Zelda for the first time, the live-action film promises to be a heartwarming celebration of one of the most beloved and enduring franchises in video game history.
The post What Do You Need to Know Before Watching Zelda Live? appeared first on Olhar Digital.
Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
