The last scene Sam Neill ever shot in front of a camera—and even he never got the chance to reveal who he was playing. According to exclusive reports, the actor best remembered by fans as Dr. Alan Grant in "Jurassic Park" had already completed his scenes for the live-action "Legend of Zelda" film before his passing, making it one of the final big-screen projects he'll ever appear in. The studio hasn't disclosed his character, so exactly which face has been added to the world of Hyrule remains a mystery.
Filming on the live-action "Legend of Zelda" movie wrapped this past April. Sam Neill passed away on July 13, 2026, at the age of 78. Beyond this film, he also has the romantic comedy "The Last Resort" and Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures' "Godzilla x Kong: Supernova" still awaiting release.
Casting news has been trickling out over the past few days. Following the confirmation that Wiremu Ihaka would play the villain Ganon, the studio has revealed two more additions to the cast: "Severance" star Dichen Lachman will play the longtime series character Impa—a role that's changed appearance and age across different games, but has consistently remained Princess Zelda's advisor and guardian, making it one of the few pieces of Hyrule lore that's virtually never been cut from the series.
The other new addition is Yvonne Strahovski from "The Handmaid's Tale," whose role has only been confirmed as "the Queen"—whether this is Zelda's mother or an entirely original character from another kingdom has not been revealed by the studio.
Combined with the previously confirmed casting of Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link, Bo Bragason as Princess Zelda, and Wiremu Ihaka as Ganon, the film's main cast is largely coming together. The plot direction remains under wraps—whether it's a direct adaptation of a specific game or a reimagined blend of worlds from titles like "Ocarina of Time" and "Breath of the Wild" is still unknown.
The film is directed by Wes Ball, known for "Maze Runner" and "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," with a producing lineup that includes Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad, who has helmed the "Spider-Man" franchise. The screenplay is written by T.S. Nowlin. Sony Pictures and Nintendo are co-financing the project, with Sony handling global theatrical distribution. The film is set to release on May 7, 2027.
