On the heels of raging excitement surrounding Hideo Kojima’s announcement of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, we have starkly contrasted news to share. It is with great disappointment that we share the following: David Hayter, the iconic voice of Solid Snake and Big Boss for the last 15 years, will not be reprising his role as Big Boss in Metal Gear Solid V.
Hayter offhandedly confirmed the news on his Twitter account earlier today, saying, "Well look, at least I had a good run." The timing of his words–appearing shortly after Kojima’s MGS V reveal, sparked outrage from fans. When one asked if he was ever contacted about reprising the role, or if this was all part of some elaborate Kojima ruse, Hayter simply replied, "Nope."
Hayter has voiced Solid Snake and Big Boss’s younger self in every Metal Gear Solid game since 1998’s original, including the most recent installment, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Richard Doyle voiced Big Boss’s older self in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, but the incarnation of Big Boss in Metal Gear Solid V is neither deathbed-old nor middle-aged.
We will sorely miss David Hayter’s gravelly tones, and sincerely hope that he will return to the franchise at some point. In the meantime, we’ll await any word from Kojima or Konami on the narrative merit of changing Snake’s voice mid-saga.