Sam Neill Filmed His Role in The Legend of Zelda Movie Before His Passing

The Jurassic Park star reportedly completed his work on Nintendo’s upcoming Zelda adaptation before his death earlier this year.

Sam Neill will reportedly appear in The Legend of Zelda Movie, marking what could be the legendary actor’s final screen performance.

According to a new report from Deadline, Neill filmed his role in Nintendo and Sony’s upcoming adaptation before his passing on July 13 at the age of 78. Details surrounding his character are being kept firmly under wraps, but the report confirms that his work on the film was completed before production wrapped in April.

Neill was best known for his iconic performance as Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, while more recent audiences may recognise him from shows including Peaky Blinders and Severance.

His involvement adds another notable name to an already impressive cast, although exactly who he’ll portray in Hyrule remains a mystery.

The Zelda Movie Is Adding More Cast Members

Neill isn’t the only new addition to the cast.

Deadline reports that Dichen Lachman and Yvonne Strahovski have also joined the film.

Lachman, best known to many viewers for her role as Ms. Casey in Apple’s Severance, will portray Impa, the trusted advisor to Princess Zelda. Strahovski’s role, meanwhile, has not yet been revealed.

The movie’s central characters will be played by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, who takes on the role of Link, and Bo Bragason, who will portray Princess Zelda. With the identities of several characters still being kept secret, Nintendo clearly isn’t ready to reveal everything just yet.

When Does The Legend of Zelda Movie Release?

The Legend of Zelda Movie is currently scheduled to hit cinemas on April 30, 2027.

That’s slightly earlier than originally planned, with the movie previously scheduled for May 7, 2027.

The project is being developed as a live-action adaptation of Nintendo’s hugely successful Zelda franchise, with Wes Ball directing.

While plot details remain extremely limited, the casting announcements are gradually giving fans a better idea of the scale of the production. And with Sam Neill having already completed his role before his passing, audiences will potentially get one final opportunity to see the celebrated actor on the big screen.

For now, however, Nintendo is keeping the biggest question unanswered: Who exactly is Sam Neill playing?