The massive success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie has led to discussions about a potential collaboration between Nintendo's iconic mascot and Illumination. Despite the controversy surrounding the idea of a Zelda movie with Illumination, there are valid reasons to consider this partnership.
Zelda's Popularity
Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom have propelled Zelda to the height of its popularity. It is difficult to argue that Nintendo's mascot is not at the top. This makes Zelda an ideal candidate for cinematic possibilities, unlike other Nintendo icons with slower-moving gameplay and development.
Differences Between Zelda and Mario
The gameplay is not the only difference between the worlds of Zelda and Mario. The stories and overall nature of the titles themselves are often contradictory. However, it is fair to acknowledge that the Mario movie was at least 'only okay.' As a longtime fan of Nintendo, the film encouraged introspection.
If The Super Mario Bros. Movie can receive a pass from fans, why can't a Zelda movie with Illumination? While the gameplay would have to be different, which is not a deal breaker, the cuteness factor that people mostly refer to is an exception in Nintendo's catalog.
The Mario movie received mixed reviews, but its massive success guarantees a sequel. Therefore, even if 'only okay' is Illumination's ceiling, it would still be an improvement over the current mold. A Zelda movie with Illumination is not a terrible idea for future endeavors. Although I have concerns about the execution of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the concept of a movie based on Nintendo's most famous name is not lost on me.
A Promising Partnership
Illumination's track record, including billion-dollar grossing films and a fast turnaround pace, makes them an attractive partner to Nintendo beyond Mario. While certain aspects of The Super Mario Bros. Movie did not resonate with me as a Nintendo fan, I understand that they may appeal to a broader audience. To critically examine Nintendo games to the standards of big Hollywood Movies, we must accept certain characteristics that may otherwise be turnoffs.
Illumination presents an opportunity for Nintendo to break out of its storytelling shell. Films like Luigi's Mansion and Donkey Kong, especially the upcoming one, seem like natural candidates for adaptation to Illumination-esque storytelling. Plot-driven games are not the norm for Nintendo, but Mario is a prime example of a character with limited development that Hollywood might find challenging to adapt into a rounded protagonist for a movie. Other Nintendo titles, such as Detective Pikachu with its more casual storytelling approach, would also lend themselves well to Illumination's style.
If 'only okay' represents the ceiling for Illumination, but is also a common threshold for Nintendo storytelling, there is potential for improvement over time. The success of the initial collaboration between Nintendo and Illumination suggests that decision makers would likely be open to future endeavors.
While it is possible that the sequel to The Super Mario Bros. Movie could be disappointing, and the idea of cinematic universes may not appeal to everyone, Illumination remains a good fit for Nintendo, especially Zelda. However, I must admit that I wouldn't be excited about more movies like The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Let's not allow one bad apple to spoil the cinematic barrel.
