Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is one of the biggest games of the holiday season. Many fans are thrilled to go back to Treyarch's mind-bending fictional world of Black Ops. But one major thing is missing from Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and that is the original voice actor of Sergeant Frank Woods. After James C. Burns voiced the character for every Black Ops game leading up to Black Ops Cold War, Treyarch went a different route for the role. And now, that original voice actor is having some fun at its expense.
Among the various modes and options in the relatively well-reviewed Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, the campaign is one of the things that stands out. However, Frank Wood's voice can be a bit off-putting for fans of the series. It's not that the voice acting is bad, by any means, it just sounds a bit off compared to what fans have gotten used to. But on top of that, one line that Woods says in the campaign has basically turned into a meme; it's a moment in which Woods calls himself an onion.
During a stealth mission in the high-selling Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Woods tells Mason that "we do this quiet." Mason responds by telling Woods that he is an expert in quiet. Woods' response? "I'm a goddamn onion, Mason." This onion comment has left the internet in a state of confusion and laughter. For one thing, many wonder what it is about an onion that makes it quiet, compared to say a tomato. And also, it seems like something that Frank Woods simply wouldn't say.
James C. Burns, the original voice actor of Woods (who was upset that Treyarch didn't bring him back for Black Ops Cold War), recently communicated with fans in a video. One of the main things he talks about is the onion moment in the game. He ends up mocking it and quoting it multiple times. He even starts adding lines to it, in his Woods's voice, like saying "I have layers." The video is quite hilarious, although it does contain vulgar language.
One of Burns' main points is that it's unlike Woods to say that. "My Woods would never say that," he claims. And with the reaction of the fans, he may be right. Many just feel like the line doesn't sound or feel like the character that they have fallen in love with over the past ten years. It's important to remember that Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is not a reboot. Perhaps in that situation, it would be more forgivable to swap out voice actors. Instead, this is a sequel to the first Black Ops game, and changing the character feels odd to many.
While Burns implies multiple times that he isn't trying to offend the writers or voice actors, it is clear that he is having fun poking fun. It's also important to note that he is likely still bummed about losing his role. James C. Burns and Woods may not be as high-profile and well-known as David Hayter losing his Snake role in Metal Gear, but he may be the close second.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.