Actors who were featured in HoYoverse’s Zenless Zone Zero have reportedly been replaced without warning, allegedly for participating in the ongoing SAG-AFTRA voice actor strike.
Emeri Chase, the original voice of Soldier 11 and Lycaon actor Nicholas Thurkettle both made statements about having their roles recast.
Chase said: “I was replaced as Soldier 11 because I am unwilling to perform work not covered by a SAG Interim Agreement during a strike for AI protection, the outcome of which will determine the future of our industry.”
Thurkettle is not a union member, but also made a similar decision. “What game companies want to do with AI is an existential threat. I took a personal stand to ask for protection, and had to be willing to give up the best thing that's ever happened in my professional life. I stand by my choice.”
However, the casting company, Sound Cadence Studios, disputes the lack of protections in a statement they shared to social media. “Every contract at our studio features explicit AI protections, regardless of union status,” they say.
They also insist that they contact talent, including legacy talent for projects they work on, and “want to ensure that no one is ever blindsided”. They pledge support for actors involved in the strike and AI negotiations, also insisting that “sometimes our hands are tied as to what we can communicate and when”.
Both Chase and Thunkettle acknowledge that they knew that withholding work as a way to support the striking voice actors in getting robust AI protections could mean they’d be replaced.
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