{"id":2082598,"date":"2026-08-07T15:13:52","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T12:13:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2082598"},"modified":"2026-08-07T15:13:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T12:13:52","slug":"sam-neills-final-on-screen-performance-will-be-in-the-legend-of-zelda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2082598","title":{"rendered":"Sam Neill\u2019s final on-screen performance will be in \u2018The Legend Of Zelda\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sam-neill@2000&#215;1270.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><i class=\"tdb-bread-sep td-icon-right\"><\/i><span>Film News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Sam Neill\u2019s final on-screen performance will be in \u2018The Legend Of Zelda\u2019<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>Other members of the cast include stars of \u2018Severance\u2019 and \u2018The Handmaid\u2019s Tale\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Liberty Dunworth<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-07T16:13:52+01:00\">7th August 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- .\/block --><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sam-neill@2000x1270-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"Sam Neill in 2024. CREDIT: John Nacion\/Getty Images\" title=\"sam-neill@2000x1270\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">Sam Neill in 2024. CREDIT: John Nacion\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The late Sam Neill is reportedly set to have his final on-screen performance in the upcoming <em>Legend Of Zelda<\/em> film adaptation.<\/p>\n<p>Sony first announced in 2023 that it was joining forces with Nintendo to co-finance a <em>Zelda<\/em> film, and it was later revealed that the script was being written by T.S. Nowlin (<em>The Maze Runner<\/em>), and Wes Ball (<em>Planet of the Apes<\/em>) was onboard to direct.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The movie is inspired by the hit <em>Legend of Zelda<\/em> gaming franchise, created by Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, and details about the plot and the cast have remained under wraps.<\/p>\n<p>Recently, it was confirmed that Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (<em>The Haunting of Bly Manor<\/em>) would be taking on the lead role of Link and Bo Bragason (<em>Renegade Nell<\/em>) would be playing Princess Zelda.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The late Sam Neill will star in the live-action \u2018LEGEND OF ZELDA\u2019 movie.<\/p>\n<p>It is his final on-screen performance.<\/p>\n<p>(Source: Deadline) pic.twitter.com\/yg8sOORrpo<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 6, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Since then, more details about the cast have gradually emerged, with Australian actor Uli Latukefu (<em>Young Rock<\/em>) being announced as playing villain Ganondorf. Now, rumours have emerged that the late Sam Neill will also be a part of the cast.<\/p>\n<p>According to <em>Deadline,<\/em> sources say that the <em>Jurassic Park<\/em> star will feature in the film, and it will likely mark his final on-screen performance. The reports have not yet been confirmed by Sony, and it has not yet been released who the actor will play in the blockbuster.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Neill\u2019s death was confirmed by his family on social media on July 13, and while no cause of death was given at the time, he did previously share he was cancer-free after being diagnosed with blood cancer in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>A few days after his passing, Philip Grenz, who represented the New Zealand actor for 19 years, confirmed that Neill died from pneumonia.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DauK0SrT6uJ\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Neill was known for a number of films and TV series, including horror classic <em>Event Horizon<\/em>, Oscar-winning drama <em>The Piano<\/em>, and hit series <em>Peaky Blinders<\/em>. His most famous role, however, was that of Dr. Alan Grant in 1993\u2019s <em>Jurassic Park<\/em>. He would reprise the role twice more, in 2001\u2019s <em>Jurassic Park III<\/em> and in 2022\u2019s <em>Jurassic World Dominion<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>The Legend Of Zelda<\/em> film is slated to be released in cinemas worldwide on May 7 2027, and other members of the cast reportedly include <em>The Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/em>\u2018s Yvonne Strahovski and <em>Severance<\/em>\u2018s Dichen Lachman. The former is slated to play a queen character, and the latter is playing Zelda\u2019s bodyguard and advisor, Impa.<\/p>\n<p>More details about the cast and the plot of the film are expected to be shared at a later date.<\/p>\n<p>Since Neill\u2019s passing, Steven Spielberg and Laura Dern have both paid tribute to their <em>Jurassic Park<\/em> co-star. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Jurassic Park<\/li>\n<li>The Legend of Zelda<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_89 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<div id=\"taboola-below-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column vc_column_container 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td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/DIIV-press-photo-band-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/DIIV-press-photo-band-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">DIIV share ominous single \u2018The Fountain\u2019 as they officially announce new album \u2018ZIRP!\u2019 and announce tour dates<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>                    <span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span>                <\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The late Sam Neill is reportedly set to have his final on-screen performance in the upcoming <em>Legend Of Zelda<\/em> film adaptation.<\/p>\n<p>Sony first announced in 2023 that it was joining forces with Nintendo to co-finance a <em>Zelda<\/em> film, and it was later revealed that the script was being written by T.S. Nowlin (<em>The Maze Runner<\/em>), and Wes Ball (<em>Planet of the Apes<\/em>) was onboard to direct.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The movie is inspired by the hit <em>Legend of Zelda<\/em> gaming franchise, created by Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, and details about the plot and the cast have remained under wraps.<\/p>\n<p>Recently, it was confirmed that Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (<em>The Haunting of Bly Manor<\/em>) would be taking on the lead role of Link and Bo Bragason (<em>Renegade Nell<\/em>) would be playing Princess Zelda.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The late Sam Neill will star in the live-action \u2018LEGEND OF ZELDA\u2019 movie.<\/p>\n<p>It is his final on-screen performance.<\/p>\n<p>(Source: Deadline) pic.twitter.com\/yg8sOORrpo<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 6, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Since then, more details about the cast have gradually emerged, with Australian actor Uli Latukefu (<em>Young Rock<\/em>) being announced as playing villain Ganondorf. Now, rumours have emerged that the late Sam Neill will also be a part of the cast.<\/p>\n<p>According to <em>Deadline,<\/em> sources say that the <em>Jurassic Park<\/em> star will feature in the film, and it will likely mark his final on-screen performance. The reports have not yet been confirmed by Sony, and it has not yet been released who the actor will play in the blockbuster.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Neill\u2019s death was confirmed by his family on social media on July 13, and while no cause of death was given at the time, he did previously share he was cancer-free after being diagnosed with blood cancer in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>A few days after his passing, Philip Grenz, who represented the New Zealand actor for 19 years, confirmed that Neill died from pneumonia.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DauK0SrT6uJ\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Neill was known for a number of films and TV series, including horror classic <em>Event Horizon<\/em>, Oscar-winning drama <em>The Piano<\/em>, and hit series <em>Peaky Blinders<\/em>. His most famous role, however, was that of Dr. Alan Grant in 1993\u2019s <em>Jurassic Park<\/em>. He would reprise the role twice more, in 2001\u2019s <em>Jurassic Park III<\/em> and in 2022\u2019s <em>Jurassic World Dominion<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>The Legend Of Zelda<\/em> film is slated to be released in cinemas worldwide on May 7 2027, and other members of the cast reportedly include <em>The Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/em>\u2018s Yvonne Strahovski and <em>Severance<\/em>\u2018s Dichen Lachman. The former is slated to play a queen character, and the latter is playing Zelda\u2019s bodyguard and advisor, Impa.<\/p>\n<p>More details about the cast and the plot of the film are expected to be shared at a later date.<\/p>\n<p>Since Neill\u2019s passing, Steven Spielberg and Laura Dern have both paid tribute to their <em>Jurassic Park<\/em> co-star. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/film\/sam-neills-final-on-screen-performance-will-be-in-the-legend-of-zelda-3961398&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sam-neill@2000&#215;1270.jpg&#8221;] NewsFilm News Sam Neill\u2019s final on-screen performance will be in \u2018The Legend Of Zelda\u2019 Other members of the cast include stars of \u2018Severance\u2019 and \u2018The Handmaid\u2019s Tale\u2019 By Liberty Dunworth 7th August 2026 Sam Neill in 2024. CREDIT: John Nacion\/Getty Images The late Sam Neill is reportedly set to have his final [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2082598","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2082598","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2082598"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2082598\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2082598"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2082598"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2082598"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}