It’s been over three years since David Hayter, the original voice for Snake was replaced with Kiefer Sutherland in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Since then Hayter has expressed his disappointment over and over again. Finally in an interview with Youtuber YongYea, Hayter revealed why he has been expressing his feelings about Kojima and the way he was let go.
“The reason I brought up my feelings about Kojima and about the whole thing is because I want voice actors to be able to stand up for themselves. I can stand up for myself in ways actors can’t because I don’t need the work. I have got lots of money, I have this other amazing career.”
“You know, somebody wrote me this latter and I got really mad at him, saying “If you are going to keep doing this you are never gonna get work as an actor again,” and I am like a. That is not true. b. Shut up! and c. I’d be okay if I never have to work again. I mean I would never want that but I have got more acting work now that I know what to do with. So basically that is why I said what I said. I wanted everyone to understand what the situation was so that other voice actors are in the same situation and they are threatened with being fired for whatever reason, they are asking for more money or they want more publicity or whatever that they know how it can play out, where they can be brave and where they should be prudent. But beyond that I am very happy with my experience with Metal Gear. I am thrilled with how my story ended.”
So it seems like even though Hayter loves the series and would love to come back as Snake, he really does need that job to make a living.
He also shared his thoughts on how he felt when he was let go from the role of Snake.
“It was kind of shitty and kind of disrespectful. I kind of feel that I did a lot for the games but again, it’s not personal, it’s business. So for all the people who are like he is upset or unemployed, none of that is true.”
Whether Hayter will return in a future Metal Gear is something that is an unknown at this stage, however fans can rejoice with this upcoming Metal Gear museum project. And yes, it involves David Hayter,
