Naughty Dog Adds Troy Baker to Game Roster

Troy Baker Reteams with Naughty Dog for a New Lead Role

Neil Druckmann has confirmed the return of Troy Baker in a leading role for an upcoming Naughty Dog title, as revealed in a November 25th GQ article. While specifics remain undisclosed, Druckmann's announcement highlights the strong creative bond between himself and Baker.

A Collaborative History, Forged in Creative Tension

Baker's collaboration with Druckmann is extensive, encompassing iconic roles like Joel in The Last of Us series and Samuel Drake in Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. Druckmann's statement, "In a heartbeat, I would always work with Troy," speaks volumes about their enduring professional relationship.

Their partnership wasn't always smooth sailing. Differing approaches to character portrayal initially led to friction. Baker's meticulous approach, often involving multiple takes to achieve his vision, initially clashed with Druckmann's directorial style. Druckmann recalls a pivotal moment: "This is my process. This is what I need," he stated. "No, you need to trust me - it's your job to be viewed, not to view."

Despite these early challenges, a strong working relationship blossomed. Druckmann, while describing Baker as "a demanding actor," praised his performance in The Last of Us Part II, noting, "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, the news of Baker's involvement is sure to excite fans.

Baker's Extensive Voice Acting Portfolio

Baker's contributions extend far beyond The Last of Us and Uncharted. His impressive resume includes Higgs Monaghan in Death Stranding, Indiana Jones in the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny video game, Schneizel el Britannia in Code Geass, and various roles in Naruto: Shippuden and Transformers: EarthSpark. He's also lent his voice to numerous animated shows, including Scooby Doo, Ben 10, Family Guy, and Rick and Morty.

His exceptional talent has garnered numerous accolades, including a Spike Video Game Award for Best Voice Actor (2013) for his role as Joel in The Last of Us. His consistent excellence has solidified his status as a leading figure in the voice acting world.