Troy Baker Joins New Naughty Dog Project

Neil Druckmann confirms Troy Baker's return in a lead role for Naughty Dog's upcoming title. Learn more about their enduring creative partnership and Baker's future in gaming.

Troy Baker and Neil Druckmann's Creative Synergy

Reprising His Role in Naughty Dog's Next Venture

In a November 25th GQ interview, Neil Druckmann officially announced Troy Baker's return as the lead performer for Naughty Dog's next project. While game specifics remain confidential, the confirmation highlights their long-running professional relationship and Druckmann's faith in Baker's abilities.

The celebrated voice actor will once again take center stage in Druckmann's creative vision. "I would always work with Troy in a heartbeat," Druckmann remarked. Their collaboration spans multiple Naughty Dog classics, with Baker defining the roles of Joel in The Last of Us franchise and Samuel Drake across Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy - predominantly under Druckmann's direction.

Their partnership initially faced creative tensions as they navigated differing perspectives on character portrayal. Baker's perfectionism led to repeated takes when dissatisfied, prompting Druckmann to intervene: "You need to trust my process. Your role is to be observed, not to observe yourself."

Despite early friction, their professional dynamic evolved into a close friendship, with Baker becoming a staple across Naughty Dog productions. Druckmann acknowledges Baker as "a demanding actor" while praising his transformative performance in The Last of Us Part II: "Troy consistently elevates material beyond my original vision."

Though details remain scarce beyond Baker's involvement, his return undoubtedly excites the gaming community.

Troy Baker's Esteemed Voice Acting Portfolio

Troy Baker's repertoire extends far beyond his iconic Naughty Dog characters. He recently portrayed Higgs Monaghan in Death Stranding and its anticipated sequel, while currently bringing Indiana Jones to life in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

Baker's animation credits include standout roles as Schneizel el Britannia in Code Geass and multiple Naruto: Shippuden characters. He's also voiced antagonists like Shockwave in Transformers: EarthSpark and contributed to beloved series including Scooby-Doo, Ben 10, and Rick and Morty.

His exceptional work has earned nominations across major awards like BAFTA and Golden Joystick, winning Best Voice Actor at the 2013 Spike Video Game Awards for his portrayal of Joel. These accolades cement Baker's status as a preeminent talent in game voice acting.