In recent days there has been talk of a film adaptation of the video game The Legend of Zelda . This news comes after the huge success of Super Mario Bros.
which has exceeded one billion dollars in receipts globally. A result that would have prompted Universal to sign a new agreement with Nintendo , this time related to Zelda .
But is it really so? according to Chris Meledandri , head of Illumination Entertainment, it’s just a rumor. In a recent interview, the producer said:
I don’t know where this news came from. I guess people might think things like that because we obviously worked really well together. My relationship with Ninento now includes serving on their board of directors, so I understand one can come to conclusions like that. But specifically at the moment I’m only hearing rumors. Here’s what I can say about the new plans from Nintendo and Illumination – these are just rumors.
Jeff Sneider , who first launched the news in his podcast The Hot Mic , has however decided to respond immediately to these statements. Emphasizing that his source is 100% reliable and that the agreement concerns, in fact, Universal and Nintendo and not Chris Meledandri , who could come on board the project later
It was actually a Zelda/Universal rumor. Universal is the one closing the deal w/ Nintendo. Again, if you pay attention, I ASSUMED it would be Illumination given the success of MARIO, but Universal could also give the project to DWA. Let me know when UNIVERSAL denies this one. 😉 https://t.co/FUT6xGYF33
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) June 15, 2023
If you’re gonna debunk something, debunk it right. ZELDA tip came from my best source. I’m 100% confident in it. Universal is getting the rights. Illumination came up in the convo as a natural fit. Or maybe I’m wrong… it’s not like execs have ever lied ahead of a closed deal!
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) June 15, 2023
We recall that in the past there has also been an attempt to create a series inspired by The Legend of Zelda , one of the most famous and beloved video game sagas ever. Specifically, there was talk of a live-action Netflix adaptation , but the project never went into production.
That’s all for now, as always we will keep you updated.