When the trailer for Pacific Rim, the latest from Guillermo del Toro, started making the rounds last month, the one detail that caught most gamers' attention was a distinctly familiar voice. That of GLaDOS, from the Portal series.
Many wondered if it was an homage, or brazen rip-off. Well, turns out, it's the former. And not only that, but it’s also something that Valve was totally cool with. According the The Verge, the director got permission from the game's publisher to borrow Ellen McLain, GLaDOS's voice actress.
"I wanted very much to have her, because I'm a big Portal fan… But just as a wink. She's not cake-obsessed."
del Toro also states that in the final cut of the movie, McLain's voice and performance will be tone down, as in less processed sounding. So perhaps the director went for a more recognizable take for the teaser, to get everyone talking, at least those who play video games? If so, then mission accomplished.