Reports indicate New Zealand actor Sam Neill will appear in Sony and Nintendo’s upcoming live-action The Legend of Zelda feature, despite his death in July 2026. Deadline reports Neill filmed his role before he died; production wrapped in April, and Deadline says Neill’s scenes were shot prior to his death on 13 July. Neill’s specific character is not publicly identified, though outlets speculate he may play a royal figure.
The developing cast also includes Yvonne Strahovski, reported as portraying a “queen” character, and Dichen Lachman, who appears in the film’s cast after being spotted in set photos. Fan theories have linked Lachman to Impa, a role often associated with Princess Zelda across the games, and Deadline’s reporting is described as consistent with that speculation.
Other announced casting includes Uli Latukefu as Ganondorf, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link, and Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda. The film is scheduled to premiere on 30 April 2027. Neill is reported to have died from pneumonia, following a history of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
