There’s been a flurry of news related to castings in the upcoming live-action Legend of Zelda film, including the name of the actor who’s landed the antagonist’s role of Ganondorf – but also that recently departed actor Sam Neill will apparently star in the film.

News of Neill’s involvement comes from Deadline, but the site couldn’t corroborate the casting with Neill’s former representatives or Sony, which is making the film. Neill – most recognised for playing Dr Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park series (though he’s appeared in many good films over many years, Event Horizon among them) died 13th July at the age of 78. If this is true, it’s likely to be his final screen performance.

Ganondorf, meanwhile, will be played by Australian actor Uli Latukefu, known for his roles as a young Dwayne Johnson in the sitcom Young Rock, and for parts in Black Adam, Next Goal Wins, and MaXXXine.

Production is under way on The Legend of Zelda film in New Zealand, which is being directed by Maze Runner and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes director Wes Ball. It stars 17-year-old Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link, who appears in House of the Dragon Series 3 as the youngest son Viserys Targaryen and Alicent Hightower; and 22-year-old Bo Bragason as Zelda, who’s excellent in Amazon’s new series Sterling Point – I’m watching it at the moment.

The Legend of Zelda film is scheduled for release next year, on 30th April, slightly missing Zelda’s 40th anniversary year of 2026. A remake of beloved Zelda adventure Ocarina of Time will make it out this year, however, possibly even in November, alongside Grand Theft Auto 6. We’ve only seen the briefest of glimpses of it, but it’s enough to have divided the audience over its realistic new art style.