Baldur's Gate 3 Dev Questions Video Game Actor Exclusions in Adaptations

Baldur's Gate 3 actor and performance director Aliona Baranova has expressed concern about why film and television adaptations frequently bypass the performers who bring video game characters to life when casting for major productions.

During a panel at the Tampa Bay Comic Convention, moderated by Collider's Maggie Lovitt, Baranova stated, "It's unfortunate that the video game audience seems to be overlooked in screen adaptations. We see firsthand how devoted you all are... and I feel that filmmakers and studios are currently neglecting that connection."

This is a significant issue, especially since game actors often contribute far more than just voice work—many also provide motion capture and serve as the physical models for beloved characters, rather than simply recording lines in a studio.

"We consistently see how eager everyone is to support us in our screen projects," Baranova—who has also performed in Cyberpunk 2077, Lies of P, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33—added. "So why haven't filmmakers recognized this yet?"

She specifically cited HBO's recent adaptation of The Last of Us, which cast the original game's Ellie (Ashley Johnson) and Joel (Troy Baker), though in different roles. The result? "Ashley Johnson became the most-searched person on IMDb when the series debuted."

"Why isn't this happening more often?" Baranova questioned. "Why wasn't Doug Cockle included in The Witcher TV series? Why aren't video game actors being considered for these adaptations? Even animated projects like Arcane—we would love to be part of them."

The role of Geralt ultimately went to Henry Cavill, who has since left the show. Cockle did not appear in the live-action series, not even in a cameo, though he did reprise his role as Geralt in Netflix's recently released animated Witcher film.

Although most video game performers are professionally trained, Baranova suggested that the screen industry tends to view them as niche talent. "Many of us have theater training," she noted. "A significant number of us were formally trained in the UK... and I believe some executives are being short-sighted. They assume, 'They only know how to do video games.' Studios are overlooking a video game audience that is incredibly supportive, dedicated, and passionate about their favorite performers. It's a missed opportunity—they're sleeping on a major asset."

We are currently enjoying a golden age for video game adaptations, thanks to standout projects like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Sonic the Hedgehog, and hit series such as The Last of Us and Fallout. And with many more adaptations on the horizon, you can stay updated with our comprehensive list of upcoming video game movies and TV shows set for release in 2025 and beyond.