Clair Obscur and Lord of the Rings actor Andy Serkis says Hollywood snobbery towards video games is changing
Hollywood actor Andy Serkis, known for iconic roles in Lord of the Rings and films like 13 Going on 30, has voiced the character Renoir in Sandfall Interactive’s acclaimed game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. In a recent interview with Variety, Serkis discussed how attitudes toward video game acting are shifting in the entertainment industry.
Serkis acknowledged that there has historically been “snobbery” from traditional entertainment circles toward video game performances, but emphasized that this stigma is beginning to fade. He noted that he sees no meaningful difference between acting in games, films, stage productions, or television, describing the craft as fundamentally the same regardless of medium.
The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, released last year, is contributing to changing perceptions. The game has garnered significant critical praise and multiple awards. Serkis expressed enthusiasm about the project, highlighting the game’s compelling visual and narrative design. Games like The Last of Us have also played a role in demonstrating that video games can deliver emotionally resonant performances from actors.
Serkis noted that a new generation of actors is becoming increasingly interested in video game roles, moving away from the previous reluctance to participate in the medium. This shift reflects broader industry recognition of video games as a serious entertainment format deserving the same respect as traditional media. The prominence of motion-capture performances in games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is helping legitimize video game acting among both established and emerging talent in Hollywood.
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- Clair Obscur and Lord of the Rings actor Andy Serkis says Hollywood snobbery towards video games is changing
- Expedition 33 Star Says Video Games Are Finally Winning Over Acting Snobs
- Andy Serkis says ’there has always been that snobbery’ when it comes to videogame acting, but the times are changing thanks to games like Expedition 33