Sam Neill filmed role in Legend of Zelda film adaptation before his death

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Key context: <p>The New Zealand actor, who died last month aged 78, will appear in live-action movie of popular video game, which is set for release next year</p><p>The New Zealand actor Sam Neill completed filming of a role in the forthcoming adaptation of The Legend of Zelda video game before he died, which will be one of his final screen appearances.</p><p>According to <a href="https://deadline.com/2026/08/legend-of-zelda-sam-neill-yvonne-strahovski-dichen-lachman-1237027957/">a report in Deadline</a>, Neill, who <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/jul/16/sam-neill-died-cause-of-death-pneumonia">died of pneumonia last month aged 78</a>, will appear in the live-action movie, which finished filming in April this year and is set for release next May. Which role Neill plays has not been announced, but fans of the games have suggested that he would be a good casting choice for the King of Hyrule, the fictional fantasy realm in which the Zelda games are primarily set.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/07/sam-neill-legend-of-zelda-film-video-game-before-death">Continue reading...</a> This development from The Guardian highlights ongoing changes in the sector.