Neil Druckmann has officially announced that Troy Baker will once again take on a leading role in an upcoming Naughty Dog game. Dive deeper to explore their enduring collaboration and what fans can anticipate from Baker's next project.
Troy Baker’s Strong Work Partnership with Neil Druckmann
Returning for Naughty Dog’s Upcoming Game
In a recent GQ article dated November 25th, Neil Druckmann confirmed that Troy Baker will reprise a leading role in Naughty Dog's next game. Although the specifics of the game remain undisclosed, Druckmann's affirmation highlights his trust in Baker’s abilities and their long-established professional bond.
Troy Baker, known for voicing Joel in the critically acclaimed The Last of Us series and Samuel Drake in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, has once again committed to a starring role in Druckmann's latest project at Naughty Dog. Druckmann expressed his enthusiasm, stating, In a heartbeat, I would always work with Troy.
Their collaboration has been marked by a significant history, with Druckmann directing many of the projects featuring Baker's voice.
Initially, their professional relationship faced challenges as Baker and Druckmann had differing opinions on character portrayal. Baker often sought perfection in his performances, redoing takes if he felt they were subpar. Druckmann, at one point, had to remind Baker, “This is my process. This is what I need,” to which Baker responded, “No, you need to trust me - it's your job to be viewed, not to view.”
Despite early tensions, their relationship blossomed into a deep friendship, leading Druckmann to cast Baker in numerous Naughty Dog projects. While Druckmann acknowledges Baker as a demanding actor, he lauds his contributions, especially in The Last of Us II, saying, “Troy’s trying to stretch the limits of what thing is, and often he succeeds at making it better than it was in my imagination.” Fans eagerly await more details on this upcoming game, excited by Baker's involvement.
Troy Baker’s Voice Acting History
Troy Baker's reputation extends far beyond his iconic roles as Joel in The Last of Us series and Sam in the Uncharted series. His voice has graced numerous other popular video games and animated series. Notably, he lent his voice to Higgs Monaghan, the main antagonist in the Death Stranding series, including the sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Additionally, Baker will star as Indiana Jones in the highly anticipated game, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
In the realm of animation, Baker has voiced characters like Schneizel el Britannia in Code Geass and multiple roles in Naruto: Shippuden, including Yamato and Pain. He also portrayed the villain Shockwave in Transformers: EarthSpark, along with roles in shows such as Scooby-Doo, Ben 10, Family Guy, and Rick and Morty, among others. His extensive portfolio showcases just a fraction of his versatile voice acting career.
Baker's exceptional talent has earned him multiple nominations at prestigious awards like the BAFTA Awards and the Golden Joystick Awards. He clinched the Best Voice Actor award at the Spike Video Game Awards in 2013 for his role as Joel in The Last of Us. With a plethora of accolades, Baker has solidified his status as a leading voice in the gaming and animation industries.
