“The original cast never even gets acknowledged”: Red Dead Redemption 2 Star Hopes Pedro Pascal’s ‘The Last of Us’ Will Bring a Necessary Change That Hollywood Has Ignored for Years
Red Dead Redemption 2’s Roger Clark shares his thoughts on a long-standing issue in Hollywood’s approach to video game adaptations.
As video game adaptations continue to gain popularity in Hollywood, there’s one crucial aspect that often gets overlooked: the talented actors who brought these beloved characters to life in the first place. Roger Clark, the voice behind the iconic Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2, recently spoke out on the subject, highlighting a long-standing issue in the industry.
In a recent Gamology Q&A video, Clark was asked if he’d be interested in playing Arthur Morgan in a live-action adaptation. While his response was more nuanced than a simple yes or no, he used the opportunity to shed light on a concerning trend in the world of video game adaptations.
The Unsung Heroes of Video Game Adaptations
Roger Clark‘s main point of contention lies in the fact that the original cast of video games rarely gets acknowledged or considered when it comes to live-action adaptations. He expressed his disappointment in the industry’s tendency to overlook the very people who breathed life into these characters:
We’re starting to see more and more video game adaptations be converted to film and TV which I think is awesome but what I don’t think is awesome is how the original cast never even gets acknowledged or looked at even.
This sentiment echoes the understandable frustrations of many voice actors who pour their hearts and souls into bringing beloved video game characters to life.
The physical and emotional investment required to inhabit these roles is often underestimated, leading to a lack of due respect for the original cast when adaptations are made.
However, Clark did acknowledge a recent exception to this trend—the critically acclaimed and widely praised HBO series, The Last of Us (2023):
I mean we’ve seen a little bit with The Last of Us. We got to see Troy and Ashley in the TV series. I thought that was brilliant. But so much, so often, we’re not seeing the original cast even be considered or even getting an audition for these adaptations.
The show, which stars Pedro Pascal as Joel, made a point to include Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson, the original voice actors for Joel and Ellie, in meaningful roles.
A Call for Change in Hollywood’s Casting Practices
While the inclusion of Baker and Johnson in The Last of Us was a step in the right direction, Clark believes that there’s still a long way to go. He notes that the misconception surrounding voice acting is a major obstacle, and if Hollywood had a better understanding of how much these “actors physically inhabit” their roles, it might change their attitude towards casting.
As video game adaptations continue to gain prominence, it is critical that the industry recognizes the immense talent and dedication of voice actors like Roger Clark. These performers have already proven their ability to bring iconic characters to life, and their inclusion in adaptations would not only honor their original performances but also enrich the overall quality of the final product.
With the success of The Last of Us and the growing demand for authentic adaptations, it is time for Hollywood to reevaluate its casting practices and pay voice actors the respect and recognition they deserve. After all, without their performances, these beloved characters wouldn’t have won our hearts in the first place!
What are your thoughts on Roger Clark’s comments? Do you believe that video game voice actors should be given more opportunities in film and television adaptations? Share your opinions in the comments below!
