{
  "id": 252228,
  "title": "Sam Neill will reportedly star in the forthcoming The Legend of Zelda film",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/sam-neill-will-reportedly-star-in-the-forthcoming-the-legend-of-zelda",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-07T05:11:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PC Gamer",
    "slug": "pc-gamer",
    "url": "https://www.pcgamer.com/movies-tv/sam-neill-will-reportedly-star-in-the-forthcoming-the-legend-of-zelda-film/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sam Neill, a New Zealand-born actor, is reportedly set to feature in the upcoming The Legend of Zelda film adaptation. Despite his passing in July, sources confirm his participation in the Nintendo and Sony collaboration, which concluded filming in April prior to his demise. Though Sony has yet to officially confirm Neill's role, his presence alongside three newly confirmed actors is evident.\n\nNeill will join Uli Latukefu, known for his role in Young Rock, who will portray the character Ganondorf. Dichen Lachman and Yvonne Strahovski, recognized for their appearances in Severance and The Handmaid's Tale respectively, are also part of the ensemble cast. Their roles, however, have yet to be disclosed. The cast also includes Bo Bragason as Zelda and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link.\n\nNeill's posthumous appearances are not limited to The Legend of Zelda. He is also set to feature in Godzilla x Kong: Supernova and The Last Resort in 2027. The film itself is slated for release on April 30, with production taking place in Neill's native New Zealand. Neill's sudden and unexpected passing on July 13 in Sydney, Australia, was confirmed by an official statement. The statement emphasized his cancer-free status, highlighting the sudden and unforeseen nature of his passing. The Legend of Zelda is directed by Wes Ball, known for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and Maze Runner, and produced by Shigeru Miyamoto.",
  "summary": "It'll be among the late actor's final screen performances.",
  "key_points": [
    "Sam Neill to star in The Legend of Zelda film posthumously",
    "Neill joined by Uli Latukefu, Dichen Lachman, Yvonne Strahovski",
    "The Legend of Zelda releases April 30 in New Zealand"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Sam Neill's posthumous casting in The Legend of Zelda film underscores his lasting impact on the entertainment industry, even after his sudden and unexpected passing.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}