Casting the right actor is crucial to the success of any performance, including in video games. The voices of iconic characters resonate deeply with players, shaping their experience. When Naughty Dog was casting for The Last Of Us Part 2, they almost overlooked a legendary voice actress.
The actress in question is Laura Bailey, a prolific voice actress with a vast portfolio. Despite her impressive resume, Neil Druckmann revealed at GDC that he initially hesitated to cast her as Abby due to her extensive presence in the industry.
Druckmann already knew her work from a certain franchise with Nathan Drake. The concern was that her ubiquity might overshadow the character. However, her audition changed everything.
Bailey’s portrayal of Abby included moments of vulnerability that stood out from the other auditions. Druckmann analyzed her audition “frame-by-frame” before sharing it with the studio, solidifying her as the clear choice for the role.
The casting choice is ironic for a few reasons. First, Laura Bailey’s performance as Abby earned her numerous awards. Second, she portrayed Abby so convincingly that some fans directed hate mail and threats towards her, which is unacceptable.
A similar situation occurred recently when Bethesda cast Troy Baker as Indiana Jones in their upcoming game. Todd Howard initially resisted casting Baker but ultimately recognized his talent. Harrison Ford himself praised Baker’s performance and rejected the idea of using AI to replicate his voice.
Sometimes, the most talented individuals deserve the roles they audition for, regardless of their previous work.
In casting, the best decision is to use fresh eyes and properly weigh the best candidate regardless of past roles.
Ultimately, talent and the ability to embody a character should outweigh concerns about an actor’s previous roles.