Summary: Vin Diesel, the renowned American actor, is known for his famous role as Dominic Toretto in the Fast and Furious franchise. However, not many people are aware of the fact that he is also associated with the character of Kratos, the protagonist of the God of War series, which is one of the most critically acclaimed video game franchises. With this article, we delve deeper into the lesser-known connection between Vin Diesel and the God of War series.
1. The Birth of Kratos
God of War was developed by Sony Santa Monica in 2005. Kratos, the main protagonist, is a Spartan warrior who seeks revenge on the Olympian gods. The character was created by David Jaffe, who drew inspiration from Greek mythology, as well as characters from movies like Gladiator and Conan the Barbarian. The character’s voice was performed by Terrence C. Carson in the first installment of the series. However, later games in the series featured a new voice actor – Christopher Judge.
Enter Vin Diesel – in an April Fool’s joke in 2013, Santa Monica Studios released a trailer announcing that Vin Diesel would be the new voice of Kratos. The trailer gained a lot of attention from fans, who were both shocked and intrigued by the announcement. It was later revealed that the trailer was a prank and that Christopher Judge would continue to voice Kratos.
2. Vin Diesel’s Love for Video Games
Vin Diesel has always been very vocal about his love for video games. In various interviews, he has mentioned that he grew up playing Dungeons & Dragons and has continued playing games like World of Warcraft even as an adult. He is also a fan of the Riddick video game series, which he himself helped develop. His involvement in the gaming industry has also extended beyond just playing games – he co-founded the studio Tigon Studios in 2002, which has produced games like Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, Wheelman, and Fury.
It’s safe to say that Vin Diesel’s passion for video games might have played a role in the prank trailer that announced him as the new voice of Kratos. The fact that he has been associated with Tigon Studios shows that he has an in-depth understanding of the gaming industry and its fans.
3. Vin Diesel – A Character Actor
Vin Diesel is primarily known for his roles in the fast-paced action movies that he has done over the years. However, people tend to overlook the fact that he is also a character actor. He started his acting career in a small role in the movie Awakenings (1990). Over the years, he has acted in movies like Saving Private Ryan, The Iron Giant, and Find Me Guilty, which showcase his acting range. It’s not surprising, then, that his association with Kratos would be through his voice acting.
Vin Diesel has also lent his voice to various other video game characters. He voiced Richard B. Riddick in The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, as well as the tie-in game for the third movie in the series, Assault on Dark Athena. He has also voiced characters in the Call of Duty series, Wheelman, and The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena.
4. The Future of Kratos
With the release of God of War (2018), the Kratos character underwent a significant transformation. The game was a massive success, both commercially and critically, and it was praised for its writing, direction, and performances. With the successful evolution of the character, fans are eagerly waiting for a continuation of the story. While there is no official announcement yet, it’s safe to assume that Kratos will return to the gaming world soon.
However, the question remains – will Vin Diesel ever voice Kratos? The joke trailer released by Santa Monica Studios was an elaborate prank that took fans by surprise. It showed that Vin Diesel has a following in the gaming community, and fans might not be opposed to the idea of him voicing Kratos. While Christopher Judge’s portrayal of Kratos is iconic in its way, it would be interesting to see what Vin Diesel could lend to the character, given his acting range and passion for video games.
Conclusion:
Vin Diesel may not have officially voiced Kratos, but his association with the character has left a lasting impact on the God of War fan base. The prank trailer released by Santa Monica Studios showed just how powerful and influential Vin Diesel is in the gaming community. His love for video games and understanding of the industry shows that he is more than just an action star – he is an actor with a range of interests and passions.
The future of Kratos remains uncertain, but one thing is for sure – the character has become an icon in the gaming world, and fans will eagerly wait for his return. Whether or not Vin Diesel ever voices Kratos, his association with the series has helped keep the character relevant, and it has shown that the intersection of gaming and Hollywood can be a very exciting place.
Lastly, it can be said that Vin Diesel has successfully established himself as not only a Hollywood star but also a player in the gaming industry. His involvement has opened doors for other actors to become involved in the industry, and it has shown that video games are no longer just a pastime – they are a form of art and entertainment that deserves recognition and respect.
