Bayonetta 3

voice actor Jennifer Hale has responded to the recent controversy surrounding her replacement of Hellena Taylor for the role of Bayonetta. The actor took to Twitter to address the issue but declined to mention any specifics due to an ongoing non-disclosure agreement. However, Hale did urge fans to keep in mind the “team of hard-working, dedicated people” that helped make the upcoming game. The controversy began when Hellena Taylor, the former voice actor for Bayonetta‘s titular protagonist, asked fans to boycott Bayonetta 3 in a series of videos posted to Twitter. Among various allegations, Taylor criticized developer PlatinumGames and its co-founder, Hideki Kamiya, for business practices she called “immoral”. One example included offering the actor a total of $4000 to voice the entire game despite the franchise making over $450 million before merchandise, which Taylor labeled as “insulting”. Jennifer Hale has since responded with a Tweet of her own, in which she clarified that she supported every actor’s right to be paid well. Furthermore, while she was unable to discuss the situation, she also stated that her reputation would speak for itself.

About Bayonetta 3: pic.twitter.com/e4VrclEQIm

— Jennifer Hale (@jhaletweets) October 17, 2022

Her reputation, in this instance, is likely a reference to the voice actor’s long history of advocacy for fair pay within the voice-acting industry. As an example, Hale was a vocal supporter of the SAG-AFTRA strike and later pickets in 2016 and 2017. Hale also asked fans to keep in consideration that Bayonetta 3 was created “by an entire team of hard-working, dedicated people” and expressed hope that the issue would be resolved in an “amicable and respectful way”. Bayonetta 3 will release for the Nintendo Switch on October 28, 2022.

Andrew Kiya is a mixed Japanese staff writer, streamer, and activist. Born in Japan, and raised in both Japan and the United States, he is forever waiting for the next Ape Escape game.