Troy Baker, renowned for his roles in Uncharted and The Last of Us, is reuniting with Naughty Dog for another leading role, confirmed by Neil Druckmann. Discover more about their enduring partnership and Baker's upcoming project.
A November 25th GQ article revealed Troy Baker's return to Naughty Dog for a starring role in an undisclosed new game. Druckmann's confirmation highlights the strong bond and mutual respect between the two.
Baker's collaboration with Druckmann spans several critically acclaimed titles, including voicing Joel in The Last of Us and Samuel Drake in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy – many of which Druckmann directed.
Their professional relationship wasn't always smooth sailing. Differing approaches to character portrayal initially caused friction. Baker's dedication to perfection sometimes led to retakes, prompting Druckmann to intervene and emphasize trust in the creative process. "This is my process. This is what I need," Druckmann stated. "No, you need to trust me - it's your job to be viewed, not to view."
Despite early challenges, a strong friendship developed, leading to Baker becoming a regular in Druckmann's projects. While Druckmann describes Baker as "demanding," he also lauded his performance in The Last of Us Part II, noting Baker's ability to elevate the characters beyond Druckmann's initial vision. "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 remain scarce, fans eagerly await news on this exciting collaboration.
Troy Baker's impact extends far beyond The Last of Us and Uncharted. He's lent his voice to numerous popular video games and animated series, including Higgs Monaghan in Death Stranding, Indiana Jones in the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Schneizel el Britannia in Code Geass, and various roles in Naruto: Shippuden and Transformers: EarthSpark. His credits also include appearances in Scooby Doo, Ben 10, Family Guy, and Rick and Morty.
His exceptional talent has garnered numerous award nominations, including BAFTA and Golden Joystick Awards, culminating in a Spike Video Game Award for Best Voice Actor in 2013 for his portrayal of Joel in the original The Last of Us. His extensive accolades solidify his position as a leading voice actor in the gaming industry.