Troy Baker, renowned for his roles in Uncharted and The Last of Us, is returning to Naughty Dog! Neil Druckmann confirmed Baker's leading role in an upcoming Naughty Dog title, highlighting their enduring professional relationship.
A Partnership Forged in Creative Tension
A recent GQ article revealed Druckmann's enthusiastic endorsement of Baker: “In a heartbeat, I would always work with Troy.” Their collaboration, spanning iconic roles like Joel in The Last of Us and Sam Drake in Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy (many directed by Druckmann), wasn't always smooth. Early on, their differing approaches to character portrayal led to friction. Baker's meticulous approach, often involving multiple takes, initially clashed with Druckmann's vision. However, this initial tension evolved into a strong bond, resulting in a prolific and successful partnership. Druckmann even praised Baker's performance in The Last of Us Part II, stating, “Troy’s trying to stretch the limits of what thing is, and often he succeeds at making it better than it was in my imagination.”
While details about the new game remain scarce, Baker's involvement is sure to excite fans.
A Legacy of Exceptional Voice Acting
Beyond his work with Naughty Dog, Baker boasts an impressive resume. He's lent his voice to Higgs Monaghan in Death Stranding, the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and numerous animated series, including Code Geass, Naruto: Shippuden, and Transformers: EarthSpark. His talent has garnered numerous awards and nominations, solidifying his status as a leading voice actor in the gaming industry. His 2013 Spike Video Game Award for Best Voice Actor (for his role as Joel in The Last of Us) is a testament to his skill and impact.
