Tears of the Kingdom devs want to make a Zelda movie next
Tears of the Kingdom producer Eiji Aonuma and director Hidemaro Fujibayashi want to make a Zelda movie now, following the success of the Super Mario Bros. movie. The pair made the comment during an interview with Polygon about developing Tears of the Kingdom, though getting such a project the green light apparently involves more than just wanting.
“I have to say, I am interested,” Aonuma said. “For sure. But it’s not just me being interested in something that makes things happen, unfortunately.”
Fujibayashi followed up by saying “Maybe the voice of the fans is what’s important here."
If rumors about Nintendo’s previous efforts with a Zelda adaptation are true, though, then Nintendo is already interested in bringing Link to the small and silver screens, regardless of the voice of the fans. The Big N reportedly scrapped plans for a Netflix Zelda series and a Star Fox claymation project after people involved with the endeavors leaked information about them to the press.
The Super Mario Bros. movie’s recent and resounding success is proof enough that people are eager for Nintendo properties in formats other than video games. The film broke box office records in its opening weekend and, as of May 1, 2023, had grossed over $1 billion. That success made Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa hopeful that the movie might introduce Nintendo to new audiences.
“In the mid to long term…[the movie] will be a powerful touch point for people who have never picked up a game before to become fans of Mario and Nintendo," Furukawa said in the company’s most recent earnings report (thanks, Nikkei Asia).
Nintendo’s plans for future adaptations are uncertain, but with numbers like that and the potential to break into new segments, a Zelda movie certainly doesn’t seem out of the question.
