Sam Neill is slated to appear in Sony Pictures' upcoming Legend of Zelda film in a posthumous role, according to reports. Dichen Lachman and Yvonne Strahovski have also been confirmed to star in the project.
Details regarding Neill's specific role remain undisclosed, and neither Sony nor Neill's representatives have issued official comments. The studios have maintained a high level of secrecy surrounding the film's production. Benjamin Evan Ainsworth is cast as Link, a fact officially confirmed by Nintendo in November 2025. Bo Bragason will portray Princess Zelda.
Set footage that surfaced online around the same time appeared to show Dichen Lachman as Impa, a role which Deadline has now confirmed she will play. Yvonne Strahovski is also attached to the film, taking on a "queen" character, though further details about her part are unavailable.
Sam Neill, who passed away on July 13, 2026, at the age of 78, is widely recognized for his performances as Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise and Chester Campbell in the series Peaky Blinders. His death was described as unexpected, with a statement on his Instagram account confirming he was surrounded by family.
Among the confirmed cast, Neill is one of the more established names. Ainsworth and Bragason are newer faces to many audiences. Australian actor Uli Latukefu, known for playing a young Dwayne Johnson in NBC's Young Rock and Byamba in Netflix's Marco Polo, is set to play Ganondorf.
Bragason has previously appeared in BBC One's Three Girls and the Disney+ series Renegade Nell. Ainsworth can currently be seen as Prince Daeron Targaryen in House of the Dragon.
The Legend of Zelda film is slated for theatrical release on April 30, 2027. In the interim, fans anticipate a remake of Ocarina of Time, with speculation pointing to a November release, potentially coinciding with the launch of Grand Theft Auto 6.