Sam Neill Joins 'The Legend of Zelda,' Potentially Marking His Final Film at 78

Q: What secret role did the late Sam Neill immortalize in the highly anticipated live-action Zelda adaptation?

Sam Neill’s role in the live-action *The Legend of Zelda* has not been publicly revealed. Reports say Neill finished filming before his death, making the movie one of his final screen appearances, but Sony and Nintendo have kept his character under wraps. Deadline said it was “not yet clear who he plays,” and other coverage has echoed that no official character name has been disclosed. The strongest fan speculation is that Neill may have played the King of Hyrule, a theory fueled by the film’s known cast and by the fact that Yvonne Strahovski is reportedly playing a queen character. But that remains unconfirmed. What is confirmed is that Neill appears in the film alongside Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link, Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda, Uli Latukefu as Ganondorf, and Dichen Lachman as Impa. The movie, directed by Wes Ball, wrapped in April and is due in theaters on April 30, 2027. So the honest answer is that the “secret role” remains secret for now, with King of Hyrule the leading but unverified possibility.

3 articles · Updated · Gizmodo · Aug 7

Sam Neill, who died last month at 78, completed a role in the live-action "The Legend of Zelda," adding a second major posthumous release after "Godzilla x Kong: Supernova."
Deadline reported the casting as news of Uli Latukefu playing Ganondorf emerged; Neill’s role remains undisclosed, while Dichen Lachman is widely expected to play Impa and Yvonne Strahovski has also joined.
"The Legend of Zelda" stars Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link and Bo Bragason as Zelda, with Wes Ball directing and Sony declining to comment on casting.
The film is set for release on April 30, 2027, potentially making it Neill’s final movie in a career that now extends beyond his death into at least two big franchise films.