Troy Baker’s Unique Take on the Role of Indiana Jones

MachineGames’ anticipated Indiana Jones and the Noteworthy Circle is set to recapture the same excitement and adventurous spirit of the classic film series – though with a reduced presence of Harrison Ford. The lead role is voiced by renowned video game voice actor Troy Baker, and as it appears, he sounds remarkably similar to the Indy character we cherish.

However, the lead actor disclosed to Gamesradar+ that he initially declined the opportunity to portray Indiana Jones because the role “frightened” him, and he had reservations about his ability to do it justice. Additionally, one particular key developer had significant doubts about Baker’s capability to succeed.

“I initially declined [the Indiana Jones role] because, honestly, I was genuinely afraid that I would not be able to deliver. Luckily, [voice audition director] Tom Keegan recognized my self-doubts and encouraged me to audition for this opportunity,” Baker remarked.

Over the past decade, Baker has emerged as one of the most prominent and recognizable figures in the realm of video gaming. His most famous roles include Joel in The Last of Us Part 1 and 2, Sam Drake in Uncharted 4, Booker Dewitt in Bioshock Infinite, and The Joker in Batman: Arkham Origins. Nonetheless, despite his extensive portfolio, the idea of stepping into the shoes of the legendary Indiana Jones – for the character’s most sophisticated AAA game to date – required substantial effort, and selecting the leading actor necessitated time.

“We auditioned over 1000 candidates for this role, and not only was I competing against all those incredibly talented individuals, but I was also contending against myself,” he stated. “The essence of this isn’t merely about ‘can you nail an impression?’; it’s about ‘can you help us feel as though this is the true Indiana Jones?’ Because that’s the heart of it all: does this convey the authentic Indiana Jones experience?”

He expressed that as the project progressed, he was gradually convinced. “Then finally, there was a Zoom meeting with the MachineGames team, as well as Tom Keegan and Todd Howard, during which they mentioned ‘we want to walk you through the storyline’ – and where I initially felt anxious and unsure, by the time they finished explaining the narrative, I was incredibly thrilled. I transitioned from ‘I hope I secure this role’ to ‘I genuinely, truly want this.’

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After extensive recent hands-on experiences with the game and numerous gameplay demonstrations highlighting its scale, Baker’s portrayal remains quite impactful, despite the immense expectations to meet. Conversely, during the initial casting phase, one particular key developer was somewhat skeptical about Baker being part of the project—and that was the lead producer of The Noteworthy Circle and the head of Bethesda Game Studios, Todd Howard.

“The part of that narrative I love the most is how Todd Howard, when they first suggested my name to him, rolled his eyes like, ‘No, I’m not including Troy Baker in my game.’ And I never expected that I would be [in it either].”

Luckily, it seems Baker managed to win Howard’s approval, and we are now just weeks away from the launch of Indiana Jones and the Noteworthy Circle, which is set to be the most ambitious and expansive game centered around the explorer and archaeologist that we have ever seen.

If you wish to learn more about Indiana Jones and the Noteworthy Circle, feel free to check out our detailed preview of the game.

Alessandro is a freelance writer and editor located in the San Francisco Bay Area, who has covered the gaming, technology, and entertainment sectors for over 13 years. Having previously contributed to GameSpot, CNET, and various other outlets by writing articles and coordinating event coverage, Alessandro enjoys gaming on PC, while also dedicating a considerable amount of time to his Nintendo Switch. You can also find him across various social platforms at @afillari.