Video games based on, or inspired by, live-action and animated productions have been prevalent since the early days of gaming. Publishers eager to cash in on a show or movie’s popularity at its peak have often yielded terrible video games. These video games rarely do well as their source material because, in part, they lack the authenticity that comes when famous actors fail to reprise their roles. It’s difficult for a new voice actor to replicate the voice of their subject perfectly, and this can come across as jarring.
Thankfully, there are times when actors reprise their roles for a video game, whether directly or as a different iteration of that character. These games become a vital experience for any fan of that actor and franchise regardless of whether it’s a starring role or an Easter egg. Notable actors reprising their roles are few and far in between, but hopefully, that will change as video games grow as a storytelling medium.
10 Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, And Daniel Craig
As James Bond in numerous James Bond 007 video games
While many other movie franchises have struggled to produce passable video games based on their films, the James Bond franchise has found its own respectable place in gaming history. James Bond has been the subject of several successful video games, including the iconic GoldenEye 007.
One thing that makes James Bond games so great is that they bring in high-profile actors for their reprisal of the iconic MI6 spy. Pierce Brosnan lent his voice in James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing. Sean Connery reprised his classic take on Bond in 2005’s James Bond 007: From Russia with Love. Likewise, Daniel Craig reprised Bond in four games, including the original James Bond 007: Blood Stone.
9 Kevin Conroy
As Batman in several Batman video games and other titles
For many Batman and comic book fans, the late Kevin Conroy was Batman. No other live-action adaptation or voice work could compare to Conroy’s iconic take on the caped crusader. Conroy’s work as Batman was so beloved that Conroy portrayed an alternate world Bruce Wayne during the Arrowverse’s Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline.
Conroy’s work with Batman extends beyond animation, cementing Conroy as one of the most prevalent Batman voice actors in video games as well. Conroy’s notable works include the Batman Arkham series, MultiVerus, and the upcoming Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which was his final role.
8 Norman Reedus And Michael Rooker
As Daryl and Merle Dixon in The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct
The Walking Dead was one of the most popular shows on television. While it did have a fall from grace, the main The Walking Dead series ended on a relatively high note. One reason for the show’s popularity was its original characters not in the comic book source material.
No original character in The Walking Dead became more popular than Daryl Dixon, played by Norman Reedus. Daryl even received a video game set in the TV continuity titled The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, in which Reedus reprised his role as Daryl before meeting Rick Grimes. Additionally, Michael Rooker reprised his role as Daryl’s brother, Merle Dixon.
7 Jeffrey Dean Morgan
As Negan in Tekken 7
The Walking Dead’s “fall from grace” was initially set in motion by Negan’s arrival. This wasn’t any fault of Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s or his take on the brutal, yet complex, character. Negan’s arrival was arguably the biggest moment in the comic book series. However, AMC elected to take a ratings-grab approach by not telling fans who Negan killed in the finale of the sixth season.
Despite the controversy that surrounds this decision, Negan’s arrival has been immortalized in a surprising game. In perhaps the most unexpected crossover in recent memory, Jeffrey Dean Morgan reprises his role as Negan in Tekken 7, complete with his own stage.
6 Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
As Shang-Tsung in Mortal Kombat 11
Just as video games based on movies struggle, so do movies based on video games. One of the earliest movies based on a video game that saw praise, and continues to be cited as one of the best video game movies, is 1995’s Mortal Kombat.
NetherRealm Studio recognizes how much Mortal Kombat fans love this move, leading them to have Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa reprise his role as Shang-Tsung in Mortal Kombat 11. Mortal Kombat 11 later released skins for Raiden, Johnny Cage, and Sonya Blade featuring the voices and likenesses of their film counterparts with Christopher Lambert, Linden Ashby, and Bridgette Wilson-Sampras reprising their own roles.
5 Lily Gao
As Ada Wong in Resident Evil 4 remake
Resident Evil has no shortage of fun, engaging, and over-the-top characters. A long-time fan favorite of the Resident Evil series is Ada Wong. Ada Wong is a mysterious character whose motives are often ambiguous. She often appears multiple steps ahead, much to the frustration of characters such as Leon Kennedy and even antagonists.
Lily Gao is the most recent actor to portray Ada Wong in both film and game. Gao’s Ada Wong appears in the post-credit scene for Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. Gao will reprise her role as Ada Wong in the upcoming Resident Evil 4 remake. Fans have decried the recasting Ada Wong, especially with an actor from the unpopular Welcome to Racoon City.
4 Laurence Fishburne
As Morpheus in many Matrix games and as Dr. Raymond Langston in several CSI games
Laurence Fishburne hasn’t been shy about reprising his past roles for a video game. The Emmy and Tony-award-winning actor lent his voice and likeness for a few reprises, most notably his most iconic role as the cool and enigmatic Morpheus in The Matrix series for games such as Enter the Matrix and The Matrix Online.
Fishburne also reprised his role as Dr. Raymond Langston in two CSI video games. The CSI video game series also featured reprisals from other actors from the show, such as William Petersen, although Petersen and Fishburne never starred in the same game together.
3 Matthew Lillard
As Shaggy Rogers in numerous Scooby-Doo games and other titles
Matthew Lillard is a perfect example of being rewarded for hard work. When he got cast as Shaggy Rogers in the live-action Scooby-Doo film, he worked hard to get Shaggy’s voice just right. Lillard’s role as Shaggy was so well-received that Lillard became the primary voice for Shaggy after long-time Shaggy voice actor Casey Kasem retired.
Lillard has continued to voice Shaggy in different animations, films, and video games — becoming synonymous with that role. Most recently, Lillard voiced Shaggy in MultiVersus. Lillard’s most recent Scooby-Doo game was 2018’s Scooby-Doo! Mystery Cases.
2 Kit Harington, Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Natalie Dormer, And Iwan Rheon
As Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Cersei Lannister, Tyrion Lannister, Margaery Tyrell, and Ramsay Bolton in Telltale’s Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones wasn’t just a popular TV show, it was a phenomenon. Fans couldn’t stop talking about the consequential decisions, the shocking deaths, and the glorious battle episodes. Telltale, known for their point-and-click adventure games, jumped at the chance to tell their own Game of Thrones story.
Telltale’s Game of Thrones takes place during the TV series, but focuses on the conflict between lesser Houses. Telltale’s Game of Thrones overlaps with the TV series, which allows Kit Harington, Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Natalie Dormer, and Iwan Rheon to all reprise their beloved, or hated, roles in an extremely star-studded cast for a video game.
1 Christopher Lloyd
As Doc Brown in Back to the Future: The Game
Game of Thrones isn’t the first IP Telltale adapted into a point-and-click game. One adaptation that got players to take note of Telltale was 2010’s Back to the Future: The Game. Back to the Future: The Game acts as a pseudo-sequel to Back to the Future Part III.
Initially, Christopher Lloyd was the only actor to reprise their role. Lloyd returned as Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown. Michael J. Fox later voiced cameo roles outside of Marty McFly in the final episode. Tom Wilson later reprised his role of Biff Tannen in the 2015 ports, which had been previously voiced by Kid Beyond.
#Times #Famous #Actors #Reprised #Roles #Video #Games
