Troy Baker Joins New Naughty Dog Game Project

Neil Druckmann has confirmed that Troy Baker will once again take on a leading role in an upcoming Naughty Dog game. Dive deeper into their enduring collaboration and what lies ahead for Baker.

Troy Baker’s Strong Work Partnership with Neil Druckmann

Returning for Naughty Dog’s Upcoming Game

In a recent GQ article dated November 25th, Neil Druckmann announced that Troy Baker will reprise a leading role in Naughty Dog's next project. Although details about the game remain confidential, Druckmann's endorsement highlights his trust in Baker's abilities and their long-standing professional bond.

Troy Baker has committed to another leading role in Druckmann's latest venture at Naughty Dog. In a heartbeat, I would always work with Troy, Druckmann affirmed. Their collaboration spans several iconic titles, with Baker lending his voice to Joel in the critically 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 under Druckmann's direction.

Initially, their working relationship faced challenges due to differing views on character portrayal. Baker, known for his meticulous approach, would often re-record if he felt his performance didn't meet his standards. Druckmann, on the other hand, once intervened, stating, “This is my process. This is what I need,” to which Baker responded, “No, you need to trust me - it's your job to be viewed, not to view.”

Despite early tensions, their professional relationship blossomed into a close friendship, leading Druckmann to cast Baker in numerous Naughty Dog projects. Druckmann describes Baker as a “demanding actor” but lauds his contributions, particularly in The Last of Us II, saying, “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 specifics about the new game are scarce beyond Baker's involvement, fans are undoubtedly thrilled by this announcement.

Troy Baker’s Voice Acting History

Troy Baker's voice acting prowess extends far beyond his roles as Joel in The Last of Us series and Sam in the Uncharted series. He has voiced a diverse range of characters in both video games and animated series. Notable roles include Higgs Monaghan, the main antagonist in the Death Stranding series, including the upcoming Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, and the lead role of Indiana Jones in the highly anticipated Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

In animation, Baker has voiced characters such as Schneizel el Britannia in Code Geass and multiple roles in Naruto: Shippuden, including Yamato and Pain. He also portrayed the villainous Shockwave in Transformers: EarthSpark, along with characters in shows like Scooby Doo, Ben 10, Family Guy, and Rick and Morty. This is just a glimpse into Baker's extensive voice-acting portfolio.

Baker's exceptional talent has earned him numerous nominations and awards, including the Best Voice Actor award at the 2013 Spike Video Game Awards for his role as Joel in The Last of Us. With a plethora of accolades, Baker has solidified his status as a leading figure in the voice-acting industry, especially within the realm of video games.