Astarion Actor 'Isn't Done' with Character, Despite Larian Leaving Baldur's Gate 3 Behind | Push Square
19.04.2024 - 05:34
/ pushsquare.com
/ Neil Newbon
In a game of exceedingly well-written characters like Baldur's Gate 3, the sadistic and sexually suggestive vampire spawn Astarion manages to stand out. But despite developer Larian Studios clearly signalling that it is moving on from the game and away from the series, Astarion actor Neil Newbon isn't quite ready to follow suit.
Speaking to IGN, Newbon described the situation: «Most characters, once I've finished with the work, especially on long jobs, and this was a particularly long job, I usually have a compartmentalization, and it's like, 'great, that's done,' I'm happily moving forward to the next role. With Astarion, his rhythm is still very much alive inside me somewhere, and I feel I'm not done with him. But y'know, it's not my call. Hopefully, at some point, I'm going to reprise him, and I'd love to do that, but we'll have to wait and see.»
Considering the character's popularity, we wouldn't be surprised to see Astarion pop up elsewhere, in whatever game Wizards of the Coast is working on next or another potential D&D movie. It's that latter possibility that has Nerwbon incredibly excited. IGN asked whether the actor would be up for portraying the character on the big screen, to which he replied: «Oh my god, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. I would say yes.»
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Would you be eager to see more Astarion without Larian's involvement? Do you think the character would be an intriguing fit for another film? Let us know in the comments section below.
Khayl Adam is Push Square's Australian correspondent, a reporter tasked with scouring the internet for the most succulent PlayStation stories. With five years of experience as a freelance journalist and mercenary wordsmith, RPGs are his first great love, but strategy and tactics games are a close second, genres in which he is only too happy to specialize.
Perhaps only a matter of time until we see a live-action Baldurs brought to the small and/or large screen? Following on from the success stories of Fallout/TLoU… surely this is a case of «when» instead of «if»?
Assuming this does happen, it would be incredible to see Neil play the role. He really brought Astarian to life, and seems genuinely enthused regarding the part he got to play in BG3
@CJD87 I think a series or movie centered around him is the way to go if it does happen.
@Jaz007 That's a good shout, and maybe throw in some cameos from the other party members at various points — but keep the focus on Astarian.
Personally I loathed the character but more just cuz it somehow gave me flashbacks to crossover SUVs with faefolk bumper stickers, etc. I also tend to cringe at sexual topics in games, for a lot of reasons, so