Naughty Dog has explained why Harry Flynn’s voice actor from Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End was changed, after fans who noticed the change inquired on the game’s official forums, aside from asking the voice actor themselves.
Harry Flynn’s voice actor in Uncharted 2 and Uncharted 3 was Steve Valentine. For Uncharted 3, Naughty Dog simply reused Valentine’s old voice work. However, the fan who started the thread on the forums noticed while playing the Uncharted 4 beta that Flynn’s voice changed. He reached out to Steve on Twitter, who corroborated that Naughty Dog did not use his lines. Apparently, he was not even aware that Flynn would be in Uncharted 4.
Arne Mayer, Naughty Dog’s director of communications, himself went onto the forums to explain what happened. He verified that Naughty Dog did contact all previous voice actors to talk about reusing their work for Uncharted 4. Arne explained they simply could not strike out a deal with Steve:
In this case, we made the best effort to make it work, but ultimately we couldn’t strike a deal that both sides were satisfied with.
Arne confirmed that they cannot make any changes regarding this. Steve also confirmed he was not asked back since the issue came up.
Many asked, so; Since the beta, no one’s approached re #Uncharted4. Not gonna happen chaps.But can’t tell u how grateful I am 4 the love:)
— Steve Valentine (@Stevevalentine) March 6, 2016
Steve expressed dissatisfaction that the situation was discussed in the forums on his Twitter account. Ultimately, he confirmed he rejected Naughty Dog’s deal a year ago.
Acting, and voice acting is a tricky business. Private business, that shouldn’t be discussed on forums by execs. very disappointed tonight
— Steve Valentine (@Stevevalentine) March 7, 2016
Actors have a history of being offered ‘take it or leave its’. And as much as I loved the work. I had to ‘leave its’. Over a YEAR ago
— Steve Valentine (@Stevevalentine) March 7, 2016
It’s a shame that private talks didn’t stay private. But the fans deserved to know. I WOULD have loved to do it.
— Steve Valentine (@Stevevalentine) March 7, 2016
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End will be releasing on May 10, 2016, exclusively on PlayStation 4. You can read the reasons why Naughty Dog delayed the release by two weeks here, and the other casting controversy surrounding the character Nadine Ross here and here.
