205 replies to this topic

[lord-of-shadow]

Yeah - the essence of Zelda is going to be different for everyone.

Exactly. And the essence, as I see it, cannot even hope to be conveyed in a movie. Maybe your idea of what makes Zelda so great can be, but mine cannot, and therefore the idea of a Zelda movie disgusts me.

We've already established the fact that we're all set in our ways here; continuing this debate is pointless. Chronicle, I suggest you just leave them. They'll undoubtedly enjoy themselves more by discussing things like actors and whatnot, and it'll save everyone a futile argument.

[Reflectionist]

Whoa there, let's not get all defensive, please. Thank you.

I'm attempting to put together a script right now, it's looking pretty good, by my standards, and apparently yours. I have what I *think* is good dialogue, that isn't my best area there, maybe someone would want to help me? For now, I'm directly importing the quotes form the games themselves as a sort of 'place holder' for when I can think of something else that envokes the same type of response out of a person.

I don't have a lot of stuff, considering this is a six part series, collectively known as the Legend of Zelda, which one would recall is the story about the Triforce of Courage. In my story, it is going to be held down throughout the Knight's Bloodline, through a series of tests and trials which they have been destined for for centuries. Does that make sense? And over every movie, or two movies, you get to see how these different people carry themselves over their fate, and trials, and whatnot. The six movies I have planned out as of now are as follows, but aren't set in stone yet: In this order, OoT (very condensed, ultimately features the backstory to AoL, and whatnot) Majora's Mask (which I am doubtful of, since it has little relevance to this story) The Wind Waker (An Integral part of Hyrule's History) A Link to the Past (This will Tie up the Master Sword's Story), Legend of Zelda (to introduce the Final Hero of Legend, more than anything) and, obviously Adventure of Link.

Comments...? Questions....? Gripes? Complaints?

Suggestions?

[Reflectionist]

You know what? I think I'm going to attempt to go straight into WW from OoT... and then LttP, and then maybe some four swords stuff. Maybe, maybe not. Maybe i'll leave it how it is.

Thank you Chronicle, that was very helpful.

[Kairu Hakubi]

I don't know about a two hour movie, but a short anime series (akin to the manga, but hopefully a bit different in what they elaborate on and what they skip) would be grand. or, you know, if you like live action.. a short Odyssey-esque series on sci-fi channel or something... and that'd be one series per game..

[Reflectionist]

Hey Chronicle, if you're still around here... lol...

Any more suggestions, besides.... don't? I'm open to anything within reason.

what do you mean by a theme that is true for all people?

[Marth]

I must ask you the same thing, Chronicle, about why you like Zelda so much since you imply there is no deep story in the game. Stating such would give all game stories a bad reputation considering Zelda has the greatest storyline, by popular majority, so basically video games have no overwhelming storyline. Though, that is a false statement because people are often in awe at the end of a game with a great story such as Zelda, I have seen it happen many times before. Maybe the Zelda games recently have not brought out the same view or it was hard to see the greatest behind the obvious good vs. evil representation that is in most video games. What exactly would you say makes Zelda stand out from all the others to you than if not the storyline. The games do not have breath-taking graphics, there are no voice overs, the gameplay is decent and not too difficult, and the backround music is acceptable for the game. What sticks out in the Zelda games is the in-depth storyline and by what you stated, it is the same for movies as well.
As for why I do not believe the Zelda series might not hold its ground in the market is the decline in sales of the games since Ocarina of Time. Majora's Mask, at best, sold about half as many games than Ocarina of Time and the Wind Waker sold about 4 to 5 million copies which was still greatly less than Ocarina of Time. The reason to bring Zelda to the theatres is a matter of cost, to buy a video game system is more than 100 dollars at least and then to purchase a game is 50-60 dollars when they first come out. That is a lot of money to throw out for a single game one may find interesting such as Zelda, and a game such as holds a very low amount of replay value just because of the type of game it is. Basically, you have just wasted 160 dollars to buy a Zelda game which you can play 1-3 times before you are bored of it. To go to the movies and simply watch the Zelda series to see what it is all about would only cost someone less than 10 dollars in the theatres. Thus, a lot more than 7 million people would go to watch the Zelda movie which would greatly increase Zelda's popularity by a vast majority if the movie is very good. Chances are it will be very good or at least good enough to catch the attention of more fans than the video games could because the movie industry is a bigger market.

[Husse]

That's what I want. More fans for the amazing underratedness, should a movie be pulled off, which is FULLY POSSIBLE if someone halfway decent takes up the task.

[NightStar]

A novel is a nice idea, but Zelda is such a visual and interactive thing. Now, I'm not saying it would be impossible to make a book, but it would be quite a task. If you could do it, though, I would give you the utmost respect.

[Black Knight]

*smacks* He. He I'd like it to be a live action version of OoT.

[Husse]

So would I, black Knight. So would many.

And, Lany79, what book, per se, are you writing? I'm writing a novel on OoT so far, 50 pages, in the Story Board, that no one STILL, has bothered to look at. (The first chapter only is posted, not 50 pages.)

Tell me your ideas, and, if you don't mind, could you critique mine?

[thabto81]

Regardless of how many series standards you throw in, it is impossible for a movie to capture the essence of Zelda.

The very idea is ludicrous.

Just so you know, L-O-S, they said the same thing about Lord of the Rings.

TSA: do you have anything else past a first act? All I keep reading is the same thing. It's hard to judge an entire screenplay on just your first act alone. Oh and another thing, why is your first act sixty pages? How long are you planning on making this thing?

And, if anyone's interested, I have my own full-length script I did a while ago. You're all welcome to read it if you want.

[NightStar]

And NightStar, I know it is a big task. However, I tend to write quite detailed, so I don't think I'd have a problem giving enough information and description to properly involve the reader, and give them the visuals. I hope anyway.

Well good for you! I think that it would be interesting, but I'd like to see a movie made live action style (as I have already voted for)

[Reflectionist]

Did I not say I'm working on something?

[Husse]

This argument hurts, rather than helps your theory.

If LOTR was so complex, yet was made into a movie and did NOT anger fans across the globe, (maybe a couple over-the-top ones,) then the "less complex," Zelda series should be slightly easier to adapt.

As for the theory of immersement, that's bull. Many people detest video games, but love movies. People will get attached to a movie earlier because there are no controls to learn. Gamers, while not a rare species, are overwhelmed by non-gamers. People just don't FEEL like they are INSIDE a video game. A movie? Perhaps. Perhaps indeed. We don't need to include subquests, and yes, we must change story details, (Link can't ALWAYS run from dungeon to dungeon,) but a Zelda movie can and would be awesome!

[thabto81]

^I concur with what Husse said. Games tend to be more of a personal and intimate experience with just one person or a few people whereas movies tend to be more audience based.

And, although Husse pretty much responded to Chronicle the way I would have, I want to elaborate on one detail. When I mentioned LOTR I was not mentioning it with regards to story complexity or character depth, but merely with regards to people's preconceived notion that "it can't be done." If we spend all of our time convincing ourselves that something "can't be done" then we never will know. As long as the film version of zelda remains true to the essence of the games it will do just fine.

I also think that people who are so definite about not having a zelda film should really look at the bigger picture. The two mediums are not the same. Even if your worst nightmares do come true and they do make the game into a film, that doesn't necessarily erase from the planet the games as well. The games will always be there. Nothing will change that. And if the movie does come out and it is horrible, look on the bright side, it will most likely renew your love of the games and make you see them in an entirely whole new light.

[Darunia]

I'm reminded of another movie based on a video game, The Wizard. It was made in 1989, and starred Fred Savage. I mean, the movie totally sucked and bombed at the box office, yet the game they debuted there (Super Mario Bros. 3) went on to become the biggest-selling videogame of all time. If nothing else, a movie can inspire people to check out a game series, even if the movie itself blows.

Just my 5 cents...

[Husse]

Well, Mortal Kombat was the most successful, but otherwise, all the directors have been low-rate and sucky, so that can account for that. And there's ALWAYS a first, did you know that? Every thing in the world, there was a first.

[thabto81]

Problem is, Thabto, a horrible movie changes preconceptions people have about the games.  Fewer people will buy them, and they will no longer be made.

Sure, I'll still have the old ones, but that doesn't mean anything if new ones don't come out to renew interest.

There has never, ever been an enjoyable movie based on a video game.

Ever.

Never you say? Maybe you shouldn't be so absolute because you seem to have forgotten Super Mario Bros, Resident Evil and Mortal Kombat. Those were not very good and yet the subsequent games released after the movies are doing just fine.

The problem here seems to be that you're afraid your own preconceptions will change and are thus applying that fear to everybody in the whole world believing that they all believe the same thing. Rather presumptuous of you don't you think?

[Husse]

He is rather attached to many theories on Majora's Mask, seeing as the game is so mysterious. I think, just in Chronicle's case, that he's a little afraid that his theories are maybe even pure canon, will be absolutely butchered by a film.

IMO, if that happens, just toss it in the garbage and wait for someone better to try. I've seen the Zelda cartoons, they repulse me, but I quite frankly don't care. I'm talking about a Zelda movie done by a decent and intelligent director, like Peter Jackson, (OK, maybe that's stretching things,) or something like that.

Let me guess, no-moviers...can't happen? Well, everyone's entitled to their own opinion. SOMEDAY, someone's just going to stumble onto this little old thing called Zelda, maybe their nephew's playing it, and say, "Hey! We've got something here!"

[thabto81]

He is rather attached to many theories on Majora's Mask, seeing as the game is so mysterious. I think, just in Chronicle's case, that he's a little afraid that his theories are maybe even pure canon, will be absolutely butchered by a film.

If he's that worried about it then he doesn't have to go watch it. Funny thing is though, if they do make a movie I bet you a hundred bucks he'll be the first one in line.

IMO, if that happens, just toss it in the garbage and wait for someone better to try. I've seen the Zelda cartoons, they repulse me, but I quite frankly don't care. I'm talking about a Zelda movie done by a decent and intelligent director, like Peter Jackson, (OK, maybe that's stretching things,) or something like that.

The director definitely needs to be a fan of the games. Or if not, then somebody who's willing to do the research.

Let me guess, no-moviers...can't happen? Well, everyone's entitled to their own opinion. SOMEDAY, someone's just going to stumble onto this little old thing called Zelda, maybe their nephew's playing it, and say, "Hey! We've got something here!"

I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet.

[thabto81]

This is only partly true.  These games have become more and more... shall we say, Ignored?  People no longer view these games as groundbreaking or awesome.  They have been cheapened and overused.

Do you have any facts to back this claim up or will continue to treat your opinions as if they are.

Everyone in the whole world?  No.  Though it is my fear that people that have never played the games would never play them after seeing a horrible movie.

So they don't play them after watching the movie? What's the big deal?

I did not say that everyone is a fraid of that, you and many other people are not afraid of this outcome, or maybe you just don't understand the point I'm making.

Neither. I'm trying to understand why you even give a damn. It's pretty obvious you like the games. So stick to them and let everybody else have what they want to have.

Maybe you should try to see things from a different point of view instead of insulting everyone that has a view different than yours.  I think a movie is a horrible idea that will not only cheapen the series but destroy my respect for everyone involved with it.

Are you always this melodramatic?

Who are you betting?  I don't watch movies in theatres.

Then you don't watch movies, do you?; seeing as the majority of film is shot for movie theaters.

Not only that, I don't watch movies until my friends recommend it,

Are you even capable of making up your own mind?

even then I usually don't watch movies.

Again I ask: what do you care? If you don't watch movies and are so in love with games as to think any variation whatsoever is heresy then don't watch them!

Why is a Zelda movie such a big deal then?

You should be asking yourself that. You're the one that doesn't watch movies.

Because anything with the same title effects the games.  If I made a children's show called the Legend of Zelda, and it sucked, sales would dip until:
A. The show is cancelled, or
B. About twenty years pass

Of course, this has already happened.  Luckily, the show was cancelled, even though many still remember it.

The television show never ruined the series. If it had you wouldn't be anxiously awaiting for two new Zelda games, would you? The only the thing that can ruin the series are the games themselves. Nowhere is this more evident than with the release of AoL.

[Husse]

0_0.

Wow, thabto, that was very thourough and rude. A one-two punch. Seriously, though, I think an apology is in order. You're making the prosecution look bad...

And Chronicle, I didn't say your ideas were canon, I said your ideas OR canon may be violated, and you don't want that, correct?