Neil Druckmann has confirmed Troy Baker's return to a leading role in an upcoming Naughty Dog game. Read on to discover more about their enduring collaboration and what the future holds for Baker.
Troy Baker and Neil Druckmann: A Powerful Partnership
Back for Another Naughty Dog Adventure
According to a November 25th GQ article, Neil Druckmann confirmed Troy Baker will reprise a leading role in Naughty Dog's next project. While details remain scarce, Druckmann's announcement highlights his faith in Baker's talent and their long-standing professional relationship.
Troy Baker has once again signed on for a leading role in Druckmann's new Naughty Dog endeavor. "In a heartbeat, I would always work with Troy,
" Druckmann stated. Their history is extensive, with Baker voicing Joel in the acclaimed The Last of Us series and Samuel Drake in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, many of which were directed by Druckmann.
Their working relationship wasn't always smooth sailing. Baker and Druckmann initially clashed over their differing approaches to character portrayal. Baker, striving for perfection, would repeatedly re-record performances until he felt satisfied. Druckmann eventually intervened, stating, “This is my process. This is what I need.” Baker responded, “No, you need to trust me – it's your job to be viewed, not to view.”
Despite these initial tensions, a strong friendship formed, and Druckmann subsequently cast Baker in numerous Naughty Dog titles. While describing Baker as "a demanding actor," Druckmann praised his performance in The Last of Us Part II, noting, “Troy’s trying to stretch the limits of what the thing is, and often he succeeds at making it better than it was in my imagination.” While specifics about the new game remain under wraps beyond Baker's involvement, fans are undoubtedly thrilled by this exciting news.
Troy Baker's Extensive Voice Acting Career
Troy Baker's talent extends far beyond his iconic roles as Joel in The Last of Us and Sam in the Uncharted series. His voice acting credits span a wide range of popular video games and animated shows. He voiced Higgs Monaghan, the central antagonist in the Death Stranding series, including the recently released Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Baker also takes on the lead role as Indiana Jones in the highly anticipated Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
His animation work includes Schneizel el Britannia in Code Geass and multiple roles in Naruto: Shippuden, such as Yamato and Pain. He also voiced the villainous Shockwave in Transformers: EarthSpark. Additionally, he's lent his voice to shows like Scooby Doo, Ben 10, Family Guy, and Rick and Morty, among many others. This is just a small sample of his extensive and impressive career.
Baker's exceptional performances have garnered numerous nominations at prestigious gaming awards, including the BAFTA Awards and the Golden Joystick Awards. He won the Best Voice Actor award at the 2013 Spike Video Game Awards for his portrayal of Joel in the original The Last of Us. His numerous awards and nominations cement his status as a leading figure in the voice acting community, especially within the video game industry.
