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Wesker in Resident Evil 5, former voice actor explains his Bowie replacement photo

If there is one thing I always loved about the Albert Wesker character, it was his precise and callous voice, as introduced in Code Veronica. A far cry from the gruff and gravelly voices of most videogame characters, the voice provided by Richard Waugh was a very smooth and subtly threatening one, which suited the character perfectly. Sadly however, even though Albert Wesker is confirmed for Resident Evil 5, Waugh's talents are no longer wanted, as Umbrella Chronicles players will know by now.

"It's weird because I did the voice recordings for Wesker in Umbrella Chronicles. However Capcom has decided that they want to hire non-union actors in California instead, so my voice was replaced," explained Waugh in an interview. "Which became sort of funny when I heard that the replacement tried sounding like me."

From what I saw, I felt that D.C. Douglas did a good job of portraying Wesker in Umbrella Chronicles (I read somewhere that Douglas tried to ape David Bowie in his performance, which is an extra point from me), but Waugh really is the definitive Wesker. It's a shame he won't be in RE5, but I personally have no problem with Douglas, as it was still a pretty good (if slightly sillier) turn. 

If you feel more strongly than I do, however, Waugh apparently encourages fans to let Capcom know.








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20 comments | showing # 1 to 20
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ace of knaves's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 09:36
ace of knaves
Wesker's probably not going to be much bigger a character than he was in RE4 anyway, so no matter how you feel, it shouldn't matter too much.
BlindsideDork's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 10:04
BlindsideDork
Or maybe he will be even bigger!
Doomtrain's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 10:21
Doomtrain
I thought he was a good Wesker, I didn't really notice the change right away. I think they should bring back 100% of the original RE1 cast.

Master of unlocking, bitches.
hpv's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 10:58
hpv
We need to boycott this game, and probably all Capcom games. Not only do they need to be supporting union talent, but Wesker (tied with Barry) is the fucking coolest character in the series. Replacing his voice would be like getting a David Hayter sound-alike for MGS4.
Aurvant's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 11:08
Aurvant
While I agree that the original voice for Wesker in Code Veronica was the absolute coolest I must say that I can't blame Capcom for finding non-union workers.

During the whole writers strike thing that happened a while back many of the VA and hollywood actors took the sides of the union and refused to work. Capcom, obviously seeing that Unions are no longer a great thing, decided to go with work that wont run out on you because of some measley 1%.

Sorry, but unions in general are pure shit, and I'm glad Capcom went and found some non-union VA talent.
iNerd's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 12:33
iNerd
You sir are an idiot. Unions exist to protect workers rights and there was a perfectly good reason for them to strike. It's clear capcom would love to slash costs as much as possible and undermine the idea that actors in games, an ever enlarging market now with the current gen consoles, simply to boost profits. I hope people notice and bitch about the voice change to make them listen.
mistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 12:34
mistic
I can understand that they take non-union-people nowadays... In Belgium the people from the unions are doing nothing but strike for more pay nowadays and it sucks! almost every day we suffer from it?
MaximusPaynicus's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 12:56
MaximusPaynicus
@iNerd
Eventually all unions turn into the UAW -- a whiny collection of people who threaten to strike whenever they don't get their way. The idea of a union is excellent, but eventually they all sour.

With that said, while I can understand hiring non-union actors for these kinds of projects, you would have to be out of your damn mind to mess with a fan favorite like Waugh. As a long-time fan of the franchise, I seriously hope they come to their senses.

Also, drop the 'Tool Box'. It just sounds freaking stupid.
Blackhat's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 13:01
Blackhat
How awesome is that guys name. Seriously, Waugh? Fantastic.
Big Z's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 16:07
Big Z
Waugh?


?
JoshDunford's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/12/2008 16:20
JoshDunford
Stop! Don't open that door!

-Jd
Aaron Mxy Yost's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/13/2008 01:52
Aaron Mxy Yost
You gotta make way for the homophobe superior.
Aaron Mxy Yost's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/13/2008 01:53
Aaron Mxy Yost
Stupid auto complete.
Doctor Payne's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/13/2008 02:27
Doctor Payne
Capcom not hiring union actors? Weird. Makes sense though, the actor that portrayed Chris in the latest RE5 trailer is different from the one heard in previous trailers. Normally I'd think that the first actor was just a temp voice, but the guy was pretty recognizable (Carth in KOTOR, Kaidan in Mass Effect). Oh well, weirdness.
Escaflowne's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/13/2008 11:29
Escaflowne
i didn't notice the chance in r4 but in chronicles i notice something was odd with Wesker voice, since r4 i think that he only is available in mercenaries mode and when talking with ada .
Mr Wilson's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/13/2008 13:57
Mr Wilson
Jill sandwich?
Cletus the Fetus's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/14/2008 18:28
Cletus the Fetus
I totally read that as "Douglas tried to rape David Bowie," and I thought, we all want to, deep down.
misterdc's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/21/2008 04:29
misterdc
Just to clarify: I AM a union actor and Capcom is going through SAG in hiring me for the game... As for raping David Bowie... I tried, but he turned the tables on me... Heathen.

(Yes, I am DC Douglas. No, I can't tell you what happens in RE5. Yes, I'm sorry Richard isn't doing, but he's in CANADA and they are doing this in LOS ANGELES...)
Slayterwesker's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/26/2008 15:05
Slayterwesker
HELP US GET WAUGH BACK ON! SIGN THE PETITION!

http://www.petitiononline.com/Wesker/petition.html

Spread it to other RE fans please!
vyse1019's Avatar - Comment posted on 12/21/2008 00:16
vyse1019
I say dont replace richard he is good..i like him
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