As noticed by Twitter user supererogatory, comedian Adam Conover claimed that Nintendo canceled its The Legend of Zelda Netflix show following a Wall Street Journal leak. The information comes from an interview on The Serf Times podcast. Additionally, Conover alleges Nintendo then canceled a Star Fox claymation show in partnership with College Humor [Thanks, Eurogamer!].
Conover stated that the Star Fox show was in the style of Fantastic Mr. Fox. He recounted, “[In 2015], I worked at College Humor, and we had a secret project where we were going to make a claymation version of Star Fox with Nintendo. I know this because Shigeru Miyamoto came to our office.” Around this time, The Legend of Zelda Netflix leaks happened. Conover then stated that Nintendo canceled College Humor’s Star Fox show. The comedian and activist claimed that Nintendo was displeased with the leaks, so it pulled out of the Netflix show. The Star Fox program was a direct casualty.
The chat begins around the 39:05 mark in The Serf Times podcast video.
Back in early 2015, The Wall Street Journal ran a story that a The Legend of Zelda Netflix series was in the works. Described as “Game of Thrones for a family audience,” the report stated the project was still in its infancy at the time. Speaking to Time Magazine, Nintendo’s then-CEO Satoru Iwata clarified, “The article in question is not based on correct information.”
Netflix has been eager to work with video game IPs recently. Out of the many partnerships, some of the most recent are a Tomb Raider anime and a Sonic the Hedgehog show titled Sonic Prime.