Kojima Tried To Replace David Hayter As Snake Before MGS V

David Hayter has revealed that Hideo Kojima tried to replace him as Snake’s voice actor as far back as Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.

In a new interview, the voice actor, actor, and director opened up on some what was going on with him behind the scenes of his most memorable video game role. While he states he has moved on from reprising Solid Snake, he felt it was time to be candid on things fans did not even have an inkling was going on.

For Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Konami had Hayter re-audition for this role. Furthermore, Hayter learned that Kojima approached Kurt Russell about taking on the role of Old Snake. Fortunately for Hayter then, Kurt declined the role.

When it came to Metal Gear Solid V, Hayter learned he would not be reprising his role in a similar fashion. He shared a drink with one of Konami’s producers, and when he asked about negotiating the contract, that was when he learned he would not be renewed. He then asked and confirmed this with Kris Zimmerman, the director for English voice casting. Hayter also claimed that Konami attempted to find voice matches for Hayter to replace him several times as well.

Hayter described this experience as annoying, and even said that if he had to play Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, it would have been 60 hours of humiliation. In the end, he was thankful for the opportunity he did receive and feels proud of his accomplishment. However, he does not particularly have any love for Kojima either, so he won’t be working with him and his new studio again.

Gameranx has an extensive history of David Hayter and Konami talking about Metal Gear Solid V‘s casting for Snake. Hayter himself hinted at the change as far back as March 2013, and he expressed his unhappiness soon thereafter. Kiefer Sutherland was finally announced as Snake’s new actor in June, and Troy Baker told fans to give him a chance. Kiefer himself confirmed he was done working on the game by August.

How did you feel about Hayter’s statements about Konami and Hideo Kojima? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.