Okay, let me get this off my chest. It's 2026, and we're drowning in video game adaptations, right? We've had our fill of Fallout, shed tears over The Last of Us, and are eagerly waiting for the likes of Elden Ring and Mass Effect to hit our screens. But here's the thing that’s been bugging me—and apparently, I'm not alone. The very actors who breathed life into these digital worlds, the ones we spent hundreds of hours with, are often left standing outside the studio gates when Hollywood comes knocking. It’s like throwing a party and forgetting to invite the people who baked the cake! A real head-scratcher, if you ask me.

This whole conundrum was laid bare recently by Aliona Baranova. Now, if the name doesn't ring a bell, her work sure will. She was a performance director and actor on the colossal hit, Baldur's Gate 3. While she directed the performances, she also lent her voice to some unforgettable characters, including the Tiefling refugee Xeph and, my personal favorite, the absolutely iconic Corinna the Squirrel. I mean, who doesn't remember that squirrel?

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Speaking at a convention, Baranova put it bluntly: the video game audience and its actors are being "slept on" and "overlooked." She has a point that's sharper than a legendary sword. "It's a shame that the video game audience is being overlooked when it comes to on-screen projects," she said. We fans are a dedicated bunch—we memorize lore, debate endings, and form deep connections with these characters. That passion, Baranova argues, is something filmmakers and studios are currently neglecting. And you know what? She's not wrong. It feels a bit... disconnected.

Her argument goes beyond just giving actors a paycheck. It's about authenticity and fan service. Baranova believes that including beloved voice actors, especially those from marginalized communities like the queer community she's part of, can actually give a project a serious popularity boost. She shared an anecdote about a UK medical drama she was in that blew up on a Chinese streaming site specifically because of her involvement. The fans followed her there. That's power.

She points to a perfect, shining example: Ashley Johnson. Johnson was the original voice and performance capture artist for Ellie in The Last of Us games. When the TV show aired, she had a small, poignant cameo as Ellie's mother. The result? She became the most searched person on IMDb. Fans lost their minds (in the best way). It was a nod, a wink, a thank you to the foundation the game built.

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So, Baranova asks the million-dollar questions we've all been thinking: "Why is more of that not happening? Why was Doug Cockle not in the TV series, The Witcher?" (For those who don't know, Cockle is THE voice of Geralt of Rivia. His "Hmm" is legendary). "Why are we not being considered when there's video game adaptations? Even animated adaptations like Arcane, we would love to be part of those."

Let's break down why this makes so much sense, shall we?

The Fan Connection is Real:

  • Nostalgia Factor: Seeing or hearing a familiar voice is an instant emotional hook.

  • Street Cred: It shows the adaptation respects its source material and the people who made it great.

  • Built-in Hype: Casting announcements involving game actors generate immediate buzz within the core fanbase.

It Doesn't Have to Be the Lead Role:

This is the crucial part everyone seems to miss. We're not necessarily saying Jennifer Hale has to play Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect series (though, could you imagine?). But a cameo? A voice on a comms channel? A consultant on set to ensure the character's essence is right? That’s the good stuff. Baranova herself suggests roles behind the scenes or different on-screen parts. It's about inclusion, not necessarily one-to-one recasting.

Think about the possibilities brewing right now:

Upcoming Adaptation Potential Game Actor Involvement Why It Would Rock
Mass Effect Jennifer Hale / Mark Meer (Shepard's VO) A cameo as an Alliance officer or a council aide. Fan servers would melt.
The Legend of Zelda Patricia Summersett (Zelda's VO in Breath of the Wild) A voice cameo or a guiding spirit role.
Elden Ring Various voice actors (e.g., for Melina, Ranni) A haunting voice-over in a key scene. The vibe would be immaculate.

Look, I get it. Hollywood is a different beast. An actor's look might not "match" the CGI model we're used to, or maybe they want a bigger "star" for the poster. But in an age where authenticity is currency, ignoring this resource is a strange move. Baranova, and countless actors like her, have already done the hard work of building the character in the audience's mind. That trust and recognition are priceless.

So, here's my plea to the big studios cooking up the next batch of adaptations: don't sleep on these talents. A little nod goes a long way. Because at the end of the day, we fans notice. We appreciate it. And frankly, we’d probably go absolutely feral for it. Just something to think about…