Breaking News: Jim Raynor and Kerrigan Auditions - StarCraftWire The Unofficial Starcraft 2 Forums

**Medievaldragon** · 12-11-2008, 12:36 AM

We have received heads up from a couple of agencies informing us that the voice acting role of Jim Raynor and Kerrigan the Queen of Blades are now up for grabs. It seems the Jim Raynor voice actor used in the Starcraft II cinematic and in the in-game single player demonstrations was a placeholder; or the creative team decided at last minute to change the actor.

Overall, this is an indication that Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty is on crunch mode. Voice acting is one of the few steps of development when the single-player dialogues are set in stone. As many of us witnessed, the developers revealed they were a third done with the Single Player (at the Starcraft Panels during the 2008 Blizzard Worldwide Invitationals in Paris back on June 28-29).

This was roughly five months ago. After Blizzcon, now we know that Starcraft II will be a trilogy. In short, fans could speculate they meant they were one third done with the Wings of Liberty episode.

Are we looking at an anniversary release date? (April 1); or the usual RTS release date (July 1)? We will have to wait and see.

We wish to gather feedback from the entire Starcraft Community. Do you wish Blizzard to hire the original Starcraft voice actors: Glynnis Talken (Kerrigan) and Robert Clotworthy (Jim Raynor)? Please, write up good reasons to wish these voice actors back in Starcraft II. Spread the word around your favorite forum communities.

Post your comments below. We will forward this petition to the Starcraft II team. This is your chance to get the former and loved Jim Raynor and Kerrigan voice actors back into Starcraft II!

If you want to partake in the poll, you can do so here. This is the poll:

Petition: Do you wish this two original Voice actors of Starcraft in Starcraft II?

Yes, please!
No, thanks!

**Elly** · 12-11-2008, 01:33 AM

Does anyone know why the original actors were 'let go'?

SWLaser · 12-11-2008, 01:39 AM

Please please PLEASE bring back the old voice actors. Talken and Clotworthy are imbedded into my soul as the true Kerrigan and Raynor. In the starcraft 2 trailers so far released, Raynor hasn't felt at all like Raynor to me. And as for Kerrigan, it just won't work without Talken.

**Troglodyte** · 12-11-2008, 01:48 AM

I'm going to have to vote for 'Yes' on this one. I think both (or at least Clotworthy) has expressed an interest in returning and they've done an excellent job on the voices in the original StarCraft. Deep down, it wouldn't be Jimmy without Clotworthy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elly

Does anyone know why the original actors were 'let go'?

I'd like to know this too, so far all I've been able to scrap up is (not official Blizzard comments):

"Blizzard Entertainment did not give him the chance to audition to reprise his former role."

and

"The reasoning behind this change was that the original concept of Jim Raynor was designed from a TV series titled Texas Ranger. With Starcraft 2, the opportunity to hire someone meeting this and other requirements presented itself."

Source: Blizzplanet

Battra · 12-11-2008, 01:49 AM

Blizzard please don't get rid of Talken and Clotworthy they worked so hard on the first game to make it as popular as it is today that not bringing them back for the Starcraft 2 would be a travesty. Starcraft wouldn't be the same with out them they are ingrained on main peoples hearts and minds as Raynor & Kerrigan that Starcraft 2 wouldn't be the same without them providing their voices to two very popular characters.

**Kalos** · 12-11-2008, 02:07 AM

I agree, its fairly stupid to get rid of them for a 'reimaging' when people love the exact old image he had. Absolutely no point in changing, unless they're deliberately out to break a classic franchise. This is a very disillusioning turn of events

**Medievaldragon** · 12-11-2008, 02:43 AM

I have forwarded this petition link to Blizzard. They are watching. Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings concerning the reprisal of both actors. It is our chance to convince the Starcraft II team to hire them, now that the audition call is open to all voice acting agencies nationwide.

Arkham · 12-11-2008, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalos

I agree, its fairly stupid to get rid of them for a 'reimaging' when people love the exact old image he had. Absolutely no point in changing, unless they're deliberately out to break a classic franchise. This is a very disillusioning turn of events

Agreed. I find it particularly galling that Metzen appears to be insisting on making Jim Raynor more of a resemblance to the character he was based off of. It's one thing for a character to be inspired by an existing one, I can understand that; but to deliberately and progressively make a character MORE derivative and unoriginal... that's just a flabbergastingly bad idea.

And more generally, this isn't some small game company with a mediocre title we're talking about here--this is Starcraft. The voices of the characters are instantaneously recognizable, and ingrained into the minds of the Starcraft fanbase and the gaming community. And it's not like this is a situation with Zeratul's actor (who I believe passed away); both actors are alive and well, and have publicly expressed interest in reprising their roles. The idea that Blizzard or someone at Blizzard thinks they should turn down that kind of offer down is, well, it's beyond me.

DarkZealot · 12-11-2008, 03:39 AM

With the seemingly downward (and inexplicable) spiral of blizzard voice acting (most voiced bosses in WoW come to mind.. like Kael) they really need to bring back some old talent. besides Robert and Glynnis' voices are too unique to be easily replaced. i dont want Raynor to sound like Chuck Norris (IE: Texas Ranger).

on the other hand, there are some voices that are well done, like whomever is playing Matt Horner in this trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEES_81oVdw

EDIT: i thought Glynnis talken was allready confirmed as kerrigans voice actor? like a long time ago

**Medievaldragon** · 12-11-2008, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkZealot

EDIT: i thought Glynnis talken was allready confirmed as kerrigans voice actor? like a long time ago

Correct. I informed last year that Glynnis had approached Blizzard at their San Diego Comic Con booth, and from there shortly after she got hired to do the Kerrigan voice acting. It comes as a surprise to see Blizzard making a casting call to voice over agencies for the role of Kerrigan.