Earlier this year, Universal Studios gave the masses what they wanted. ‘Super Mario Bros’ was deeply indebted in ‘80s nostalgia, it was most-certainly IP and, above all else, harmless entertainment. The result? It grossed $1.3 billion worldwide.
I wrote in April:
‘Super Mario’ is entertaining the masses, and there will be many sequels to come now. You can also expect spin-off upon spin-off. It’s going to be never-ending. You have been warned.
That’s why it doesn’t come as much of a surprise to read Sony and Nintendo’s just-published press release that “Legend of Zelda” is coming to the big screen. Wes Ball is set to direct. Derek Connolly will write the script, his previous credits include “Jurassic World” and “Detective Pikachu.”
Ball, who helmed the “Maze Runner” trilogy and the upcoming “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” seems like a decent fit considering his movies have heavily used CGI. ‘Zelda’ will be live-action, so expect lots of effects.
In a newly unearthed post, Ball tweeted about his hopes to direct ‘Legend of Zelda’ over 13 years ago.
Jeff Sneider had previously reported on a ‘Zelda’ movie being in the works, adding that also in development were “Super Mario Bros 2”, “Luigi's Mansion,” and “Donkey Kong.” I’m sure those will eventually be announced.
In some fashion, Nintendo might very well dethrone Marvel’s 10+ year reign as box-office king with these upcoming “Nintendo” movies. ‘Super Mario Bros’ seems to have started the inevitable onslaught to come.
Moviegoing is not dying. Nostalgia sells. As Scorsese described these popular blockbusters, they are “theme-park rides”. They bring out many generations of moviegoers, most of which grew up playing Nintendo games in the ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘00s etc.
“Hope,” Na’s first film in ten years — his last one being the exemplary “The Wailing” —is a gloriously messy, blood-soaked sci-fi epic that may become a cult classic despite—or because of—its polarizing nature.