Update: I just wanted to give a shout-out to DontHaytetheHayter for providing this link of a petition to bring David Hayter back. Click here if you want to sign.
Hideo Kojima recently confirmed that voice actor David Hayter would not be reprising his role for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Earlier today David Hayter weighed in on the news with a post on TwitLonger, and it’s unfortunately not an April Fools’ joke.
According to his recap, David Hayter has been directing his first movie in Toronto, Canada for the past eight months. When he returned to Los Angeles for break in December, he became aware that voice recording for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain was already in progress. When he contacted a representative over lunch, he had been told that they wouldn’t need Hayter to come in for this session, and according to the actor, “no reason, or explanation was given beyond that.”
Kojima explained his reasoning for replacing Hayter earlier last week, according to an article on Kotaku. “What we’re trying to accomplish is [to] recreate the Metal Gear series. It’s a new type of Metal Gear game and we wanted to have this reflected in the voice actor as well.”
While I don’t necessarily blame Kojima for wanting to reinvigorate the Metal Gear Solid series, I do find this decision to be a bit odd. If Kojima had wanted to make a new entry in the Metal Gear Solid series but with different characters in a different timeline, I could understand the decision to not use David Hayter. However, this game is still part of the timeline, and it still features Big Boss, whom I suppose suddenly developed a new set of vocal chords sometime after Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
David Hayter bares no grudges against Kojima for the decision. “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.” He details in his TwitLonger his fondness for the character for whom he provided his voice for the past fifteen years. “I will miss this job, and this character, very much.”
While I too will miss the familiar gravel voice of Solid Snake/Big Boss, I doubt this will hurt the quality of the excellent looking Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
How do you feel about David Hayter’s departure, and will you still be picking up the game when it comes out? Let us know below!
