Troy Baker Opens Up About Voicing Indiana Jones in MachineGames’ Upcoming Adventure
Veteran voice actor Troy Baker, known for iconic roles like Joel in The Last of Us and Booker DeWitt in BioShock Infinite, has been cast as Indiana Jones in the highly anticipated Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. But surprisingly, Baker almost didn’t go for the role at all, doubting his ability to do justice to the legendary archaeologist.
“I originally passed [on the Indiana Jones role] because, truth be told, I was so scared that I would not be able to pull it off,” Baker revealed in an interview with GamesRadar+. “Fortunately, [voice acting director] Tom Keegan saw past my insecurities and encouraged me to put myself on tape for this still.”
Not an Imitation, but an Interpretation
Baker shared that his initial hesitation stemmed from the daunting challenge of stepping into a role so deeply associated with Harrison Ford. However, he realized that he wasn’t being asked to impersonate Ford but to bring authenticity to the character of Indiana Jones.
“The beauty of this is that it’s not about ‘can you make a bang-on impression?’, it’s ‘can you help us feel like this is an authentic Indiana Jones?'” Baker explained. “Because that’s what the core of all this is: does this feel like it’s an authentic Indiana Jones?”
Winning Over Todd Howard
Interestingly, Baker’s casting wasn’t an immediate slam dunk with everyone. Bethesda Game Studios head Todd Howard was initially skeptical about Baker taking on the role.
“My favorite part of that story is how Todd Howard, when they originally brought my name to him, rolled his eyes like, ‘No, I’m not putting Troy Baker in my game.’ And I never thought that I would be [in it either],” Baker shared. Clearly, Baker’s audition won Howard over, as he now takes on one of the most iconic characters in pop culture.
Baker’s Storied Career Meets a Legendary Character
Baker’s resume boasts a wealth of beloved characters, including Sam Drake in Uncharted 4, The Joker in Batman: Arkham Origins, and countless others. But stepping into the shoes of Indiana Jones—a character so intrinsically tied to a single actor—is a fresh challenge for the acclaimed performer.
This casting highlights MachineGames’ commitment to creating a faithful yet fresh take on the adventurer’s legacy. Fans of both Baker and the Indiana Jones franchise have reason to be excited as The Great Circle aims to offer a new spin on the whip-wielding archaeologist while staying true to his adventurous spirit.
