David Hayter Issues A Statement About Metal Gear Solid V

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