Graha Voice Actor Change?

[peachsyder]

I do agree that this isn't Bailey's fault in the slightest, but one thing where I would see merit in reaching out to him (if at all possible — he's notoriously extremely offline) is in the possibility that Square Enix recast him without notifying him at all. If anyone has been around enough and familiar with the Tales series, you might remember that Troy Baker voiced the main character in Tales of Vesperia, Yuri, and was replaced when the game's definitive edition was released in English. People were assuming it was because Baker had become too popular for Tales, but he later revealed he was never approached about doing additional lines/scenes at all, and voiced that he was gutted over it, because he loves the character and would have jumped at the chance to play him again.

The possibility of the same happening to Bailey does exist, and upsets me immensely to even think about. If he's not been made aware, he deserves to know.

Okay, yeah, as a long time Tales fan I was familiar with the Troy Baker/Yuri Lowell situation, and it hadn't crossed my mind yet that it is possible Square Enix recast Bailey and never even discussed it with him. That's gutting. It's an eerily similar case to this, to be honest: actor becomes a part of big projects after his initial casting in the game, and is eventually recast with a soundalike. Fans assume it was just because he's too big for little small time jRPG voice acting role but it turns out the actor never wanted to leave, he was just never asked to return. Troy Baker's tweet for the unfamiliar.

It would be widely unethical for this to be case, but it certainly warrants considering the possibility that Bailey hasn't been made aware he's been recast at all. In which case, my god, I will actually go ballistic lol.

[Dawnrie]

All I can say is I hope it's a combination of having a terrible setup and being sick that his voicework in 7.4 was so inconsistent, because he sounded so off. There were lines that sounded like someone was impersonating Jonathan Bailey, and others sounded more true to form. Just a weird roller coaster for my ears this patch that drove me crazy.

Jonathan Bailey makes G'raha Tia for me. He has done a spectacular job since Shadowbringers, and honestly, one of the few reasons why I'm still playing this game. If SE is replacing him without notice because of budgeting reasons, a lot of people are going to be incredibly disappointed. Replacing him would be a huge mistake.

SE, I beg. Please don't replace Jonathan Bailey.

[PinkSorrel]

SQE should make a statement already. People's worry has been really souring this patch. (And I understand that, my wish to play HSR disappeared after all of the sudden recasts)
Really hoping that was just the result of weird voice direction. DT has had lots of these.

[mildlymoonstruck]

I do agree that this isn't Bailey's fault in the slightest, but one thing where I would see merit in reaching out to him (if at all possible — he's notoriously extremely offline) is in the possibility that Square Enix recast him without notifying him at all. If anyone has been around enough and familiar with the Tales series, you might remember that Troy Baker voiced the main character in Tales of Vesperia, Yuri, and was replaced when the game's definitive edition was released in English. People were assuming it was because Baker had become too popular for Tales, but he later revealed he was never approached about doing additional lines/scenes at all, and voiced that he was gutted over it, because he loves the character and would have jumped at the chance to play him again.

The possibility of the same happening to Bailey does exist, and upsets me immensely to even think about. If he's not been made aware, he deserves to know.

I wasn't familiar, but this is such a horrifying yet plausible possibility that I'm honestly gutted. To me, Jonathan Bailey's performance made the character every bit as much as the writing did. I really don't have the words for how disgusting it would be if Square Enix pulled something as underhanded as this. They need to clarify what's happened immediately.

[Mary_Benedictus]

I do wonder myself if it’s a temporary recast, sound quality or something else. I hope it’s addressed soon.

[Tenefix]

I don't mind if a recast happens since people can get busy, but they should at least tell us.

[paradisea]

Doubt that Bailey can ever get more busy than when he was recording Bridgerton, Wicked and Jurassic Park, all of which finished filming last year at the latest. If he made time to come back as G'raha when he was that busy, I don't see what could possibly have stopped him from coming back for this patch, seeing as it's unlikely 7.4 was recorded more than a year in advance. If he didn't come back, I'm placing my bets that the issue lies with Square Enix.

Personally, I do very much mind a recast, as do many others. Jonathan Bailey makes G'raha Tia for me. If Square Enix gives up on him after he's given his all in this role for seven years, I'll be extremely upset and disappointed.

[Lara_Kotzji]

Honestly, this really hurt me. For those who aren't attached to the character and play in another language, everything was fine. For those who play in ENG and love him, it was a low blow. I couldn't hear JB's voice anywhere, and that left me worried.

I had my suspicions from the trailer, but I was hoping that everything would remain normal in the patch, which clearly didn't happen. Even some of my friends said he sounded like AI (which I hope is not the case).

The new VA tries hard to match Jonathan's tone, but just no..., and there are moments where he sounds very forced or emotionless. Soulless (things that don't suit Raha at all). Jonathan gave him that emotion and charisma that made our scion so charming. In the patch, I even felt a different personality that just didn't...

I hope it's temporary, and of course, that SE will address this situation...

[claustromania]

Doubt that Bailey can ever get more busy than when he was recording Bridgerton, Wicked and Jurassic Park, all of which finished filming last year at the latest. If he made time to come back as G'raha when he was that busy, I don't see what could possibly have stopped him from coming back for this patch, seeing as it's unlikely 7.4 was recorded more than a year in advance. If he didn't come back, I'm placing my bets that the issue lies with Square Enix.

He did star as the leading role in Richard II earlier this year, Feb thru May, doing something like seven or eight shows a week. If it is in fact JB in 7.4 and his lines were recorded during that period, that could explain why his voice sounds so wrecked and the sound quality is shot (recording on the go). He mentioned that his performance in Company was the reason for his swollen tongue issues back in that BAFTA interview last year, and that wasn't even a leading role. Or, if it isn't JB, it might explain why they had a stand-in this patch that is hopefully temporary.

[paradisea]

He did star as the leading role in Richard II earlier this year, Feb thru May, doing something like seven or eight shows a week. If it is in fact JB in 7.4 and his lines were recorded during that period, that could explain why his voice sounds so wrecked and the sound quality is shot (recording on the go). He mentioned that his performance in Company was the reason for his swollen tongue issues back in that BAFTA interview last year, and that wasn't even a leading role. Or, if it isn't JB, it might explain why they had a stand-in this patch that is hopefully temporary.

I'm aware of his work in Richard II, but the thing is, even he had his tongue inflamed and swollen because of his work in Company, he at most sounded lispy, not like an entire different person. Raha's voice lines in 7.4 do not sound like Bailey with a sickness, they sound like someone else entirely — or like Bailey mysteriously being directed to do an entirely different voice and inflection for Raha.

If it was Bailey, the voice lines are bad enough to warrant a rerecording. If it wasn't Bailey, we deserve to know why and if it's temporary. And if it's not temporary, we deserve to know why they'd chose to part ways with him now of all times, when he's less busy than he was when he still came back to record for 7.0 through 7.3.