‘Legend of Zelda’ series from producer of Netflix’s ‘Castlevania’ may be in the works

Adi Shankar speaks onstage
during the Netflix presents Netflix<3Anime panel at Anime Expo
2018.
Charley Gallay/Stringer/Getty
images

• On Instagram, producer Adi Shankar confirmed he is
  working with an “iconic” Japanese gaming company to adapt a
  video game series, with an official announcement coming on
  November 16th.
• Shankar is already the executive producer of another
  video game adaptation, Netflix’s “Castlevania,” and has been
  linked to an upcoming adaptation of “Assassin’s
  Creed.”
• The Wrap is reporting that Shankar will adapt Nintendo’s “Legend of Zelda”
  franchise.

Nintendo’s “The Legend of Zelda” might be the latest video game
to be adapted for the screen, based on a series of rumors
surrounding “Castlevania” producer Adi Shankar.

Shankar took to Instagram on October 29th to share that he was
“working with an iconic Japanese gaming company to adapt one of
their iconic video game series,” with a promise of an official
announcement on November 16th. The next day,
The Wrap reported that Shankar will develop a “The Legend of
Zelda” series for Nintendo.

Shankar is already the showrunner for another video game
adaptation, Netflix’s “Castlevania.” Based on the vampire-hunting
games of the same name, “Castlevania” debuted its second season
on October 26th. Fans and critics alike have celebrated the animated series
for its balanced tone and respect to the source material. Written
by comic book legend Warren Ellis, “Castlevania” turns the thin
plot of the early games into a tragic tale focused on Dracula,
the series’ main antagonist.

“The Legend of Zelda” games are fantasy tales following the
adventures of the player/protagonist, Link. The name is rather
literal; Link is the player’s connection to the game as they take
on his quest. In nearly all of the games, the player can give
Link whatever name they like, and he never speaks. Instead, the
series has used a colorful collection of supporting characters to
tell the extended history of the “Zelda” world. Zelda is the
princess of Hyrule, typically requesting Link’s help to vanquish
Ganon, a timeless demonic force posing a constant threat to the
kingdom.

The newest game in the series, “Breath of the Wild,” showed a
big shift in storytelling, preventing players from renaming Link,
incorporating voice acting and more meaningful story cutscenes
through the course of the game. “Breath of the Wild” was
considered the best game of 2017 by many and
has sold more than 10 million copies since launching alongside
the Nintendo Switch.

There’s no word as to whether the new “Legend of Zelda” series
will be animated, but it would not be the first cartoon
adaptation for the franchise. DIC Animation produced a 13-episode
animated “Zelda” series in 1989 alongside two other Nintendo
shows, “The Super Mario Bros. Super Show,” and “Captain N:
Game Master.”  Unlike the games, Link spoke regularly in the
1989 series, perhaps even too much.

There are still a few weeks before Shankar’s official
announcement, but if he is at the helm, fans can expect the new
series to approach “The Legend of Zelda” with respect for the
games and a commitment to storytelling.