It seems every day video games are becoming more and more ‘Hollywood’. The likes of Grand Theft Auto have become so cinematic they’re almost worth being played on the big screen, whilst more and more names from the acting, music and sporting world are voicing our virtual stars.
Over the years there have been plenty of hideous efforts from games developers, just look at Britney’s Dance Beat, but there have also been some award-winning, fantastic performances. We take a look at some of the best, and most interesting, celebrity appearances in gaming.
Mark Hamill – Batman Arkham Asylum
One of the biggest comic book heroes of all time, Batman is just about everywhere, from the big screen, to the TV; even making its way into the online gaming realm with the Butlers Bingo Batman slot. One industry where he’s as big as the comic is video gaming, with Mark Hamill being the legendary voice behind the Joker for almost 20 years.
He’s picked up multiple awards for his role, including a BAFTA back in 2012 for Arkham City.
Danny Wallace – Assassin’s Creed II
Another BAFTA winning performer in video games, Danny Wallace has not only started his own country, formed a cult, and been a ‘Yes Man’, he’s also lent his face and voice to the Assassin’s Creed series. He’s appeared in five to date as historian Shaun Hasting including the recent Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
Danny Dyer – Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
Perhaps the most interesting of the bunch is Danny Dyer. The classic game set in 80s has a glittering cast including Ray Liotta, Burt Reynolds, and Dennis Hopper, whilst Dyer voices the character Kent Paul. Paul claims to be a criminal mastermind from Kent, and slightly resembles Tom Cruise, so much so, he’s one of the smallest characters in the game.
John Goodman – Rage
Goodman has one of the most recognisable voices in the world, so it makes sense that he was cast as tough guy Dan Hagar in the 2011 title Rage. Inspired by Goodman’s character in The Big Lebowski, the game uses Goodman’s incredible talent to perfection, winning multiple awards including Best Console Game, Best First Person Shooter and Game of the Show at the E3 Awards in 2010.
Emma Stone – Sleeping Dogs
Another release with a stellar cast, Sleeping Dogs features Tom Wilkinson and Lucy Liu as well as one of Hollywood’s hottest properties, Emma Stone. Released in 2012, Stone takes up the role of Amanda Cartwright, and as a whole the game received wide-spread acclaim.
2014 is expected to see a return to the Sleeping Dogs world. Will Stone be a part of that? We’ll have to wait and see.
