According to PlatinumGames, Bayonetta voice actress Hellena Taylor will not be reprising her role in Bayonetta 3
With the release of Bayonetta 3 hot on the horizon, details about the newest installment to the popular franchise have been released bit by bit. One unfortunate fact about the new game is that the original voice actress for the titular character will not be reprising her role in Bayonetta 3.
The Bayonetta franchise began in 2009 and the third installment to the franchise, Bayonetta 3, was announced during The Game Awards in 2017. Since the first game, the titular character Bayonetta has been voiced by Hellena Taylor.
Speculation had already been brewing about the change in voices for Bayonetta 3 since the newest trailer had a different voice actor in the role. This has now been officially confirmed by PlatinumGames who has made a statement on the matter in an interview with Game Informer stating the replacement is Jennifer Hale of Mass Effect fame. Director Yusuke Miyata said it was due to "overlapping circumstances" and added, “Jennifer’s performance was way beyond what we could have imagined.” Fans can rest assured that in the Japanese version of the game will still have Atsuko Tanaka in the role of Bayonetta.
The change to a new voice actor can be a risky one, especially when the original actor has been with a franchise since the beginning and has become beloved by fans. With all the hype surrounding Bayonetta 3 as the newest installment in a popular franchise, it has some other expectations to live up to as well.
It's unfortunate that Hellena Taylor wasn't able to reprise her role and join the cast of characters Bayonetta 3 will include, but Jennifer Hale should be a strong replacement. Hale's track record speaks for itself. The transition between the voices isn't jarring, as Hale's voice picks up where Taylor laid the foundation for the character and how she should sound.
Lots of new games, especially new installments in popular franchises, come with some minor changes whether it be to gameplay, characters, or even upping the stakes over the years like with the Bayonetta franchise. Change can be hard to face, but this shouldn't have too adverse of an effect on one's enjoyment of the game.
Bayonetta 3 will release on October 28, 2022 for the Nintendo Switch.
Source: Game Informer