Baldur's Gate 3 cannot rest on a mountain of trophies and praises without reason. Part of the recipe for success that allowed the game to reach this point is the impressive performances of the actors.
Using motion capture and dubbing, many talents have brought the world's characters to life. Especially actors Neil Newbon has with his role as Astarion leave a lasting impression. The developers probably had a different idea of how the companion should have been embodied.
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Larian doubted Newbon's defining decisions for Astarion
Neil Newbon IS Astarion: The combination of the two has become indispensable after Baldur's Gate 3 and it would be hard to imagine the character in the hands of another actor. With his whispering voice and matching movement pattern, Newbon has ensured that Astarion has achieved absolute cult status among fans. In an interview with Game Rant He reveals that initially, however Uncertainties regarding his interpretation of the role ruled. Among other things, Swen Vincke, chairman of Larian Studios, has expressed concerns about his appearance.
According to him, the actor's suggestions were far-reaching and… therefore represented a risk, which he himself considered to be the right approach. “I know that not everyone was immediately convinced. But then they understood my approach,” reports Newbon. It is largely thanks to cinematic director Jason Latino and Astarion's dialogue writer Stephen Rooney that ultimately green light for the performance was given. Both were behind the idea and supported Newbon in his cause. The actor attributes the resulting popularity of the character to Rooney and his team of writers.
The question is how Astarion should have appeared in the minds of the developers before Newbon came along. At Larian Studios, however, no one will worry about the would-be or could-have after that Dungeons and Dragons game is considered a success across the board was allowed to be. The thoughts of the employees In any case, they are no longer with Baldur's Gate 3, but with new projectswith which they want to surpass themselves. Newbon, on the other hand, wants to remain loyal to the brand surrounding the cult role-playing game and declares itself ready for further orders from owner Wizards of the Coast.
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