Final Fantasyhas found a bright future, partly by revisiting the past. By remaking the belovedFinal Fantasy 7, the developers atSquare Enixwere able to portray the iconic classic with a slick, cinematic presentation not possible with the original title. In the process, they wowed old fans while garnering a host of new ones. This led many of those fans to wonder if they plan to revisit other past adventures.
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Final Fantasy 9would be ripe for this treatment. Coming at the tail end of the PlayStation’s lifespan,FF9is the last mainline entry to feature no voice acting. As such, most of its characters have never been heard before. However, they are so well-defined and animated that players can practically hear them through the text boxes. It’s just a question of which actors can match that energy. Luckily, several voiceover artists have proven themselves in that regard.
9Vic Mignogna - Zidane
Zidane isthe main hero of the story, and he fills that role well. His life as a thief gives him plenty of wit, but he’s willing to put that aside to do what’s right. Vivi and Garnet bring out this side of him as he assumes a guiding role for them. This innate purity becomes especially important as he later grapples with his dark origins.
Vic Mignogna is no stranger to these traits in his characters. The acclaimed anime actor has made the biggest impact as Edward Elric inFullmetal Alchemist. Ed is a similarly savvy protagonist, but he also bears the weight of responsibility for causing his brother’s condition. This makes Mignogna credible for portraying Zidane as an older sibling while being able to go to that darker place. In fact, he goes even further inDragon Ball. As Broly, his psychological damage manifests as uncontrollable rage. The actor is practically unrecognizable when reaching those animalistic levels. It takes someone with that range to inhabit the multi-faceted Zidane.
8Alejandra Reynoso - Garnet
The requisite princess of this fantasy tale, Garnet begins as a molly-coddled girl. She’s completely out of her element among thieves and other unscrupulous individuals, but she soon begins to understand the ways of the world and strives to right its wrongs. In the process, she goes from a polite princess to a sassy rogue.
An inspired choice for that transformation would be Alejandra Reynoso. TheWinx Clubactress has become beloved in theCastlevaniacommunity for her role as Sypha in theNetflixshow. She starts as a similarly sheltered scholar, but she swiftly shifts into a smart-mouthed sorceress. Answering the call to combat supernatural evil, she becomes more jaded yet never loses her righteous fury and funny frustration.That’s largely thanks to Reynoso, who lights up the darkest scenes with her infectious pep and vocal charisma. That idealistic, sassy passion is exactly what Garnet calls for. For the cherry on top, she’s worked in theFinal Fantasyfranchise before. Square Enix used her as Neon inStranger of Paradise, so she should be comfortable with the process.
7Stefanie Nadolny - Vivi
The most iconic character inFinal Fantasy 9, Vivi is a member of theBlack Mages. He’s capable of immense power, but he’s unfamiliar with that power. Worse, he’s unsure of himself and his place in the world. This makes him a deer in the headlights for much of the game. Thankfully, he gradually comes into his own as a hero, seeking to mend the hurt among his people and change the public perception of them.
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Stefanie Nadolny has already done an exemplary job with such a character. The prolific anime actress is best known forDragon Ball. Playing Gohan as a kid and teen, Nadolny’s slight rasp makes her convincing as a young boy. More importantly, she captures the shy uncertainty inherent in the reluctant hero. The little Saiyan is a peaceful soul at heart. At the same time, viewers sense an inner strength in Nadolny’s performance, which powerfully emerges in the show’s fight scenes. That same latent strength and wholesome core are what make Vivi so endearing.
6Nika Futterman - Freya
A former knight of Burmecia, Freya frequently conflicts with her past. She lost her love and her position, filling her with guilt when her home is devastated by war with Alexandria. She then remains closed off, ignoring her emotional turmoil in lieu of vengeance. At the end of the day, though, she seeks redemption.
One actress who can bring that quiet complexity to life is Nika Futterman. While she’s tackled a wide range of octaves, her voice has a natural edge. She’s put that edge to brilliant use as the Khan Makyr inDoom Eternal, Catwoman inBatman: The Brave and the Bold, and one of the Furies inGod of War: Ascension. Among the most affecting, however, is Asajj Ventress inStar Wars: The Clone Wars. A Nightsister who becomes a Sith apprentice,she’s cast aside and forced to wander the galaxy, devoid of any place to call home. Futterman carries an intimidating intensity, but within that intensity, fans can hear a deep-seated emotional conflict. That’s precisely what Freya calls for.
5Tom Kenny - Steiner
It’s no secret from his appearance, but Steiner isanother knight. He’s got a stalwart sense of duty, and he’s loath to let anyone impede him in that duty. That immovable emphasis on tradition also makes him a figure of fun. Humor comes from others mocking his fussiness and how it gets him into all sorts of ludicrous situations.
Tom Kenny could easily portray that humor. Although he’s voicedSpongeBob SquarePantsand countless other slapstick characters, the most appropriate persona for Steiner would be Sgt. Byrd from theSpyroseries. He has the stereotypically no-nonsense tone of a seasoned military man, but it’s wrapped up in a little penguin. This inevitably creates instances where characters point out the inherent silliness of his predicaments. Byrd bumbles over his words but otherwise strives to maintain his composure with some desperate dignity. With Kenny’s delivery, that ironic contrast is hilarious. Adding it toFinal Fantasy 9would make Steiner a riot, much to his chagrin.
4Kate Micucci - Eiko
Eiko is an orphan girl raised bymoogles, making her a little firecracker. She holds simple views of right and wrong, and she has no filter in conveying those feelings. Moreover, she’s incredibly curious about the outside world, meaning she’s a bundle of enthusiasm when visiting a new place. Above all, though, Eiko is looking for a family.
It’s tough to pull off that innocence, but Kate Miccuci makes it sound easy. Though primarily a screen actress, she’s done her fair share of voice work. Her high pitch means that many of her roles are younger. She’s the current voice for Velma fromScooby-Doo, embodying the brains behind Mystery, Inc. with youthful pep. Just as booksmart (if not street smart) is Webby from theDucktalesremake. She’s also a sheltered kid. Her indelible lust for adventure borders on insanity, but her earnest warmth toward her surrogate family keeps her grounded. Miccuci handles that crazed naïveté with hysterically sweet results. She can be just as amusing as Eiko.
3Scott McNeill - Amarant
As a bounty hunter, Amarant firmly believes it’s everyone for themselves. He initially aids Zidane and the others for his benefit, but that changes when the wily thief saves his life. Perplexed at such heroism, Amarant soon grows into an unexpectedly reliable ally. Regardless, he tries to keep up his tough exterior, which gets difficult with the affection heaped on him by characters like Eiko.
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To channel that toughness amid an embarrassing ensemble, Scott McNeill should fit. While he has a slew of silly voices under his belt, one of his most underappreciated is Wolverine inX-Men: Evolution. That gruff tone–which he also uses for Ace the Bat-Hound inKrypto the Superdog–is great for any imposing warrior. When juxtaposed against his more upbeat peers, though, it’s akin to a grumpy uncle. Accentuating this aspect of Amarant can flesh him out more than he ever was in the original game.
2Frank Welker - Quina
This is the party’s biggest oddity. Quina is part of a swamp-dwelling species that seems to be all tongue and no brain. Fans don’t even know if it’s a male or female. The only thing they do know is that it loves to eat.
The ideal man to bring this creature to life is the longtime voice of Scooby-Doo himself, Frank Welker. Over sixty years, he’s lent his pipes to people, robots, aliens, animals, and countless other things.The noises that come out of this man’s mouth are uncanny. Any one of them would suit Quina. The creators need only take their pick.
1J.D. Callum - Kuja
Here’sone of the more enigmatic villains inFinal Fantasy. Kuja manipulates several nations against each other to further his own goal of ultimate power. That said, he’s not simply evil. His motive stems from fear and frustration. An alien despot created Kuja to further his planetary invasion, but the master quickly discarded his experiment to live out his short life in futility. As a result, Kuja lashes out at his creator and the world at large. If he must die, he’ll do so on his terms and take everyone with him.
Square Enix already nailed this casting choice with J.D. Callum, who played the villain in theDissidiacrossover titles. His performance is measured to an unsettling degree. In addition, he sounds somewhat androgynous, enhancing his mystique. Players are never quite sure of his true agenda, yet they remain entranced by what they hear. Imagine what Callum could do with the full range of Kuja’s character.
