As many might remember when reports hit back in early 2015, Netflix was allegedly working to bringThe Legend of Zeldato live-action through a new TV show. According to reports at the time,it was aiming to be “Game of Thronesfor a family audience,“following the franchise’s standard affair of Link having to embark on a dangerous quest to save all of Hyrule from the clutches of evil.
Thanks to new details from former College Humor star Adam Conover,it was confirmed today that the show was real and canceled due to leaks, however, the comedian also clarified that a second Nintendo adaptation was in the works. First spotted by Eurogamer, Conover claims in an interview with The Serf Times that he found out about the cancellation due to working on his own Nintendo adaptation, with the comedian slated to create a “Fantastic Mr. Foxstyle"Star FoxTV show.
RELATED:Netflix Announces New ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ Animated Series
Recounting a story about how Shigeru Miyamoto came to visit the College Humor offices while the show was in production, Conover goes on to cite that hisStar Foxshow and theLegend of Zeldalive-action adaptation were dropped abruptly. Someone at Netflix had allegedly leaked theZeldashow online, leading to the widespread reports, with the comedian claiming “Nintendo freaked out… they pulled the plug on everything.” Conover cites the nervousness as being down to the company having not adapted any of its iconic properties to the screen in years, leaving them more than a little anxious when everything was leaked online. The conversation begins at 39:00 into the clip below.
As such, Conover’s claymationStar Foxshow was canned, with Nintendo moving away from all the TV projects it had in the works. In the years since, it seems as though Nintendo has begun to soften its stance on adaptations, with the company currently working on bringingSuper Marioto the big-screen throughDespicable Mecreator Illumination. Netflix, on the other hand, has proceeded to adapt several other video game properties since its proposed deals with Nintendo.The Witcherhas been a massive success for the streaming service, which has now put into production both live-action and animated shows based onAssassin’s Creed, Tomb Raider, Sonic the Hedgehog, Cyberpunk 2077,andResident Evil.
In the wider world of video game adaptations, Jordan Vogt-Roberts will be directing aMetal Gear Solidmovie with Oscar Isaac in the lead role, Amazon has put aFalloutTV show in production withWestworldcreators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy attached, and HBO has put Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann on an adaptation ofThe Last of Us.It seemsThe Legend of Zeldawould’ve had some stiff competition if Nintendo had gone ahead with its plans.
MORE:The Reddit GameStop Saga Is Getting Its Own Movie Called ‘The Antisocial Network’
