If you’re a Metal Gear Solid fan, you probably have difficulty imagining anyone else as the voice of Snake. David Hayter’s gravel-infused delivery is as much as a trademark sound for the series as that iconic exclamation stab when the guards spot you. But he hasn’t been approached to feature in Hideo Kojima’s next entry in the series.
Nobody knows the reason for that, except for Kojima and his team. If the past few weeks of farce and pantomime are anything to go by, even Kojima and co. aren’t really what you’d call all there with regards to this upcoming game so sitting on this side of the beautifully rendered and wonderfully lit fence is nothing short of baffling.
David Hayter seems perfectly keen to be involved, for his part. But, as he points out in the following statement, it’s not his call. Here’s the full text of his statement, issued via Twit-longer that circumnavigated the character allowance on his Twitter account.
So,
Here’s a recap of events:
I have been up in Toronto, for the past eight months, directing my first film, (WOLVES — 2013, TF1/COPPERHEART). On the December break, I came home to Los Angeles for the holidays. I heard then, that recording sessions for MG:V were being put together.
But I didn’t hear anything about whether I’d be needed or not.
So, I got in touch with someone involved in the production. We got together for lunch, and he told me that they “wouldn’t be needing me” on this game. No reason, or explanation was given beyond that.
And that was it.
I drove home through Laurel Canyon, bummed, and thinking about Snake.
To be clear, I love being a part of the world of Metal Gear. I admire its technological innovations, the gameplay, the political message of it all. But primarily, I love the fans of these games. Two grown men burst into tears upon meeting me at the Vancouver Fan Expo last year.
Now that… Is a rare and excellent role. You know you’re making an impact.
And I love doing it.
In 1998, I tried to do come up with a voice which epitomized the kind of worn, put-upon, genetically-engineered clone-soldier that I saw Snake to be. Over time, as the games became more stunning and visually sophisticated, I tried to transition that initial voice into the increasingly real environments in which Snake found himself. My level of success is up to you, but any perceived deficiencies were not for lack of hard work. I have dedicated a huge amount of time and effort into creating a compelling character, capable of expressing the myriad emotional, physical and psychological hurdles that Snake has to face.
Anyway, now it’s been fifteen years, nine games, and an enormous blast to undertake.
If it were my choice, I would do this role forever. To hear anyone else’s voice coming from Snake’s battered throat, makes me a little ill, to be honest.
But the truth is — it’s not my choice. Any and all casting decisions are the sole purview of Hideo Kojima, and Konami itself. And that’s fair.
And I’ll get by. I am not lacking for employment on any level.
But I didn’t want anybody to think that I was intentionally abandoning them.
And know that I will miss this job, and this character, very much.
My best wishes to you all,
David Hayter
For what it’s worth, the thought of hearing anyone else’s voice coming from Snake’s battered throat makes us all a little bit uneasy too.
Thanks, Zak
Adam Garrett
zb100
Brilliant!
gideon1451
Aw, this is making me really upset!
An-dz
Guess they are going to go with the comma has changed his voice, hope its not too different. Shame to see Hayter go.
FoxHoundGabe
I really think this is another of kojima’s tricks, say solid snake appears later in the game and ta-da! its hayters voice! (no that the surprise would be the voice, but solid himself xD) but something like that…I mean, it HAS to be, right?…right?…
TSBonyman
Perhaps the FOX engine can do voice synthesis on a par with it’s visual wizardry? ;)
It does seem a strange decision though, i’m not sure how i’ll react to a different voice character regardless of which iteration of Snake it is this time. Too different and it might not sit well with everyone, too similar and they might as well have stuck with David Hayter.
I guess we’ll have to wait and see…. still seems a strange decision though …. could it be that Konami are planning on using an A-list actor this time i wonder..
Bambo_19
I am so upset right now i dont even know what to do!
Airiaen
if Richard Doyle voices Big Boss (hopefully!), then its not quite bad but its sad that David Hayter probably won’t be voicing Snake. Probably will in the future I bet.
ron_mcphatty
In the bit of the game(s? im still confused about how many there will be) immediately after Peace Walker and pre-coma, if Bog Boss’s voice is done as an impression of Hayter then it’s a massive slap in the face for the poor guy. His voice is part of the comedy, grit and emotion behind Big Boss and it would have been nice if Kojima and co had handled the change to post coma Big Boss more sensitively.
Germanos
If the text was posted at the 1st of April, then I wouldn’t believe in this so quickly, guys ^^.
ron_mcphatty
Fair point! Do the Americans and Japanese do April fools though?
Germanos
I hope they do ! :D
Adam Garrett
It’s not an April Fools thing. They’ve been on about this for about a week before this and he released the statement then because he was doing a TV interview about it on the same day.
Germanos
Thanks for ruining my day…
The Von Braun
Ubisoft annouced new voice actor for Garret in the new Thief game.
Michael Ironside is no longer the voice of Sam Fisher.
David Hayter no longer required in a MGS game.
Sonic talks from Sonic Adventures (Dreamcast) onwards (?)-i gave up after the 2nd game so assume he does in games since.
Where will this madness end?
Mind you i originally hated the new voice of Cole in Infamous 2, then grew to love it, so maybe there’s a glimmer of hope that somewhere, somehow this just might work…..
I have my doubts.