Zelda Film Finishes Shooting in April 2026, Release Set for April 2027; Sam Neill Dies in July 2026
Sam Neill completed his filming scenes for the live-action Zelda movie before his death on July 13, 2026, at age 78. The film, which wrapped in April 2026, is now scheduled for release on April 30, 2027, earlier than originally planned. The cast includes Zhao Yadun as Princess Zelda, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link, Dichen Lachman as Impa, and Yvonne Strahovski. This is the first major live-action adaptation of the Nintendo franchise, alongside a remake of Ocarina of Time for Switch 2.
Sam Neill completed his filming scenes for the live-action Zelda film before his death, though his specific role has not been announced. He died on July 13, 2026, at the age of 78.
In the cast, Dichen Lachman plays Impa, the advisor to Princess Zelda. Zhao Yadun plays Princess Zelda, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth plays Link, and Yvonne Strahovski has also been confirmed to join the film. The movie is set for release on April 30, 2027, earlier than its originally scheduled date.
This film is the first major live-action adaptation of Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series and represents a significant expansion for Nintendo in film and television. Meanwhile, Nintendo continues to advance game development for the franchise, with a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time confirmed for the Nintendo Switch 2, though details about the title remain limited.
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