It’s going to be a big few months for Star Wars fans.
Even before spring is over, 2023 has launched a new season of the hugely popular The Mandalorian and Bad Batch series, and it’s one of the most anticipated games of the year.
star wars Jedi Knight: Survivor is the sequel to 2019’s Fallen Order, which was critically acclaimed and has since amassed over 20 million players.
One of its strengths is the performance of its lead, Cameron Monaghan, who made his name on TV shows including Shameless and Gotham.
The 29-year-old lent his voice and likeness to the role of Jedi Knight Cal Kestis, lending the project some star quality – and thinks more of his peers will enter the game soon.
“We’re seeing games gradually becoming a storytelling medium,” he told Sky News.
“We’re seeing mature, smart stories being told that are as deep and meaningful as they can be in film or television.
“Whether performers have been in film, television, or theater, or may specialize in performance capture or dubbing, so many performers are getting their due through the video game medium.”
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Monaghan expects more screen actors to play video game characters
“My inner 12 year old is really excited”
Monaghan said he’s excited to pick up a lightsaber again in the Fallen Order sequel.
The American, who also performed motion capture for the role, said his “inner 12-year-old used to run around with a broom handle, spin it until I broke a lamp, and was really excited to continue” .
Acting for film or television is no different than acting in a 3D-rendered game, he said.
“In either of these, you’re just trying to find the truth about the scene and the situation,” he said.
“As long as you’re there and responding, that’s the most important thing you can do as an artist and a performer.
“Obviously the window dressing has changed around it, and on a set your biggest concern might be your lighting or your wardrobe.
“When you get into performance capture, a lot of it is technical.”
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As with any Star Wars project, plot details are being kept under wraps
Survivor takes place between the last Star Wars prequel films, Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, as the Jedi are hunted down and purged by the Empire.
Disney has released several Star Wars TV shows set in the same era in the past two years, including The Bad Batch, Obi-Wan Kenobi, with Andor has been well-received recently.
While he praised Andor as “really incredible,” Monaghan denied that these pieces had any influence on his portrayal of Kestis, as most of his inspiration for the character came from outside the Star Wars universe.
“For me, when I watch any movie, any story, I usually try to find something to keep in my back pocket in case I need it,” he said.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor hits theaters on March 15.