TLOU Voice Actor Troy Baker Signs for New Naughty Dog

Troy Baker, renowned for his roles in Uncharted and The Last of Us, is back for another Naughty Dog project! Neil Druckmann confirmed Baker's leading role in an upcoming game. Read on to discover more about their enduring collaboration.

Troy Baker and Neil Druckmann: A Creative Partnership

A Leading Role in Naughty Dog's Next Game

According to a November 25th GQ article, Neil Druckmann confirmed Troy Baker will reprise a leading role in Naughty Dog's next title. While details remain scarce, Druckmann's confirmation speaks volumes about his trust in Baker's talent and their established working relationship.

Baker's return to a leading role in Druckmann's latest project is a testament to their strong bond. "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 initial collaboration wasn't without its challenges. Baker and Druckmann held differing views on character portrayal, leading to creative friction. Baker's perfectionism often saw him re-recording lines until satisfied, prompting Druckmann to intervene at one point. "This is my process. This is what I need," Druckmann explained. "No, you need to trust me – it's your job to be viewed, not to view," he added, ultimately shaping their collaborative style.

Despite initial tension, a strong friendship developed, resulting in Baker's involvement in numerous Naughty Dog titles. While Druckmann describes Baker as a "demanding actor," he lauded Baker's performance in The Last of Us Part II, stating, "Troy's trying to stretch the limits of what a 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, fans eagerly await further news.

Troy Baker's Extensive Voice Acting Career

Troy Baker's accomplishments extend far beyond Joel and Sam. He's a prominent voice actor in numerous video games and animated shows. His credits include Higgs Monaghan in Death Stranding (and the sequel, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach), and the upcoming lead role as Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

In animation, he's voiced Schneizel el Britannia in Code Geass, multiple roles in Naruto: Shippuden (including Yamato and Pain), and the villainous Shockwave in Transformers: EarthSpark. His voice work also graces shows like Scooby Doo, Ben 10, Family Guy, and Rick and Morty. This is only a fraction of his extensive career.

His exceptional talent has garnered numerous nominations at prestigious awards like the BAFTA Awards and the Golden Joystick Awards. He notably won Best Voice Actor at the 2013 Spike Video Game Awards for his portrayal of Joel in the first The Last of Us game. His accolades solidify his status as a leading figure in voice acting.