The stellar voice cast of Baldur`s Gate 3 has garnered widespread acclaim since the game`s release, with standout performances such as Neil Newbon`s award-winning portrayal of Astarion and Tim Downie`s (well-known for his role in Paddington) nuanced depiction of Gale. This naturally sparked an intriguing thought: what if the characters themselves, rather than the talented actors who bring them to life, were tasked with auditioning for different roles within the sprawling world of Faerûn? This fun hypothetical scenario led to a delightful experiment where several fan-favorite cast members were, perhaps under a touch of playful coercion, encouraged to try their hand at entirely new parts.
Tim Downie, embodying Gale, humorously attempted to take on the fierce persona of Lae`zel, delivering a memorable line:
“I`m Gale of Waterdeep, and I am going to be reading for the role of Lae… of Lae`zel. I smell their blood on you, still! I smell your sweat!”
Considering Gale`s generally polite disposition and his endearing role as a “cat dad,” it’s quite amusing to imagine him adopting Lae`zel`s intense bloodlust or her bold, direct nature. Despite the comedic contrast, the prospect of an entire game featuring such an unexpected character swap is undeniably appealing.
Meanwhile, Neil Newbon, playing Astarion, ventured into the role of Shadowheart. With Jennifer English playfully standing by, she physically (and comically) made him kneel—a moment dubbed “Kneel Newbon.” Astarion, in his usual dramatic fashion, appeared far from thrilled with this coerced submission. He declared, with a hint of dramatic reluctance:
“I am auditioning for the role of Shadowheart, under no duress… of my own free… free will,”
all while casting an anxious glance at English, seemingly to ensure he hadn`t crossed an unspoken boundary.
One of the most entertaining segments featured Theo Solomon, the actor behind Wyll, transforming into the beloved ranger Minsc. If Minsc were a feline, he would undoubtedly be a spirited orange cat. Solomon, channeling Minsc`s boisterous energy, passionately recounted:
“No, Boo! The druid did not beat Minsc at arm wrestling! It is not a fair match! And he turned into an Owlbear midway through, and there was grease on the tree stump!”
For those unfamiliar, Boo is, of course, Minsc`s faithful “miniature giant space hamster”—a companion who is definitely not just a succession of ordinary hamsters replaced every few years.
Jennifer English`s interpretation of Astarion, complete with his now-iconic, meme-worthy line, “full concentrated power of the sun” (which might have been an ingenious Megamind Easter egg), stood out as a personal highlight. Given that Shadowheart is not a vampire, her inherent lack of fear regarding sunlight would undoubtedly simplify many in-game scenarios if she were to permanently take on Astarion`s role!
Baldur`s Gate 3 proudly claimed GameSpot`s Game of the Year award for 2023. While Larian Studios has confirmed they will not be developing a direct sequel, Hasbro, the intellectual property owner, reportedly has ambitious plans for future Dungeons & Dragons video games.