In an unexpected twist for the Final Fantasy VII Revelation, the iconic antagonist Sephiroth will be voiced by a new actor due to scheduling conflicts with Tyler Hoechlin, who previously lent his voice to the character in both Remake and Rebirth. This change was confirmed by director Naoki Hamaguchi during an interview with Twitch streamer Maximilian Dood.
The revelation of this change sparked curiosity among fans, as some noticed a difference in Sephiroth’s English voice acting during the game’s reveal at Summer Game Fest. Initially, some speculated that it could be due to a dubbing issue, but Hamaguchi later confirmed that Hoechlin will indeed not reprise his role for the final game.
Stepping into the shoes of Sephiroth for the English version of Revelation is Travis Willingham. Known for voicing Thor and Doctor Doom in Marvel Rivals, Aced in Square Enix’s Kingdom Hearts series, and various roles in popular anime dubs such as Full Metal Alchemist (Roy Mustang) and One Piece (Portgas D. Ace), Willingham brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Moreover, the confirmation of Sephiroth’s closing line in Japanese being a direct homage to the Edge of Creation scene adds an intriguing layer to the game’s narrative.
The recent announcement of a change in the voice actor for Sephiroth in the Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade has stirred up mixed reactions among fans. One disappointed fan expressed, “So yeah, I am heart broken to say Sephiroth has a new English Voice Actor (VA),” while another jokingly commented, “Tyler Hoechlin is not employed enough to not be available for this.” The change has also caused some confusion, with fans noting that Hoechlin has been actively promoting his role in the game at conventions.
Not everyone was pleased with Hoechlin’s portrayal of Sephiroth, with some finding it too calm, disinterested, and quiet. For these fans, a new voice actor offers an opportunity to experience a different interpretation of the character. Unlike Hoechlin, who is primarily known for his work in screen acting, Willingham is a seasoned voice actor. Personally, I am indifferent about this change as I have been accustomed to playing the first two games with subtitles and will likely continue that practice for Revelation.
News Source: Kotaku
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