This is patently ridiculous. I love those games immensely and have nothing but massive respect for Mr. Kojima. I did mention one disagreement I had regarding the climax of the game, a question of character, but this is just par for the course when many people work on the same piece.

From the videos we posted, it certainly seemed like Hayter was joking. And besides, what's wrong about disagreeing? A man's entitled to his opinion, and Kojima is free to make the game however he sees fit. That doesn't mean there's any ill feelings! Hit the jump for the full message:

Everyone,

Apparently, the people at 1up dot com have taken some of the things I jokingly said at the Anime Expo 08 panel and made it sound like I had problems with the Metal Gear series and Mr. Kojima's work.

This is patently ridiculous. I love those games immensely and have nothing but massive respect for Mr. Kojima. I did mention one disagreement I had regarding the climax of the game, a question of character, but this is just par for the course when many people work on the same piece.

Anyway, I'm sure I don't have to remind any of you out there, but please don't take half the stuff you read on-line seriously.

Thanks,

David Hayter

See, this is why I don't do public appearances... (From DH) [IMDB Thanks, Jim!]

It's good news for Lost Planet fans — and not just because of Hayter's screenwriting nerd cred based on his X-Men and Watchmen scripts — because the man cares deeply about the source material.

"There is gap in Hollywood between people who write good movies and those who appreciate good video games," Hayter said. The man with the trademark voice says he tries "to make an effort to take the essence of the game, keep as much of that as possible, and still put it into a proper film structure." Yes, yes, but will it feature bug shooting? 'Cause bug shooting is key.

AX08: Solid Snake Discusses Lost Planet [IGN]

Does it need a movie? No. Do people want to collect the money that would be made from a movie? Sure. [laughs] I think that any time that a property is as valuable as this one, they're going to do it. It's not a question of if there is a need for a movie, it's a question of how do they insure that the movie is good, and worth watching.

And how would Hayter make Metal Gear Solid a movie worth watching?

I think, because of the scenes — there's so much movie in every Metal Gear game — it's like, well, do we really need to see a bunch more talking about Metal Gear? As a movie adapter myself, I would never take those scenes verbatim and put them up on screen; it wouldn't make any sense. I mean, a lot of times it doesn't make any sense in the game. But you're sort of speaking a language that all of these fans would understand.

In a movie, you're going to want, for the lack of a better term, a more American style of dialogue. Tighter scenes. Themes that aren't quite as ambiguous, that speak more to Americans. You're really watching a Japanese perspective of American military power, where as it would be interesting to me to see the American perspective on what American military power has become. Now it's kind of dubious right now, so it's an interesting time to sort of explore that.

If you're going to do it well, do it. If you're going to put out some piece of crap, then no. Nobody needs that. Why waste your two hours when you can waste 18 watching Metal Gear 4. [laughter] No, not waste. Not when you can add quality to your life by playing Metal Gear Solid 4. [smiles]

If Hayter doesn't end up writing the Metal Gear Solid movie and the flick stinks, fans will default to they-should-have-gotten-Hayter. And if Hayter does write the flick, the director and the producers might feel as though they're always deferring to Hayter and not making the movie as they see it.

Destructoid Interview: David Hayter [Destructoid]

I didn't agree with that [Snake flinching at pulling the trigger on himself] at all, and I begged them to change it, but I think it's still in the final game... I didn't buy it at all. I think it's weak for Snake to be killing other people and then not be able to kill himself when it's time. If he knows it's time, then it's time.

Point. Fair enough, fair enough. Though, we can also see how Kojima might have wanted to humanize Snake in his final moments as well.

David Hayter Critical of Some MGS Moments [1Up]

Eds Note: Reader Zac attended the panel, and sent along these edited YouTube clips:

Evil Avatar Radio Ep. Eleventy One - David Hayter [Evil Avatar]

Hello David Hayter! I have to say that you are one of the greatest voice actors ever, and you do a great job as snake. I was wondering, are you going to voice Snake in Super smash bros. brawl?

To which Hayter eagerly replied:

Archduke Chocula,

I am indeed voicing Snake in "Smash Bros." I've recorded it already, and I believe that fans of both games are going to be extremely happy. It's very cool. That's all I can say.

DH

And before you ask, yes, I have confirmed that this YouTube page belongs to Mr. Hayter as it is linked from the video section of his official website. And if you haven't yet seen the MGS tribute video, you can check it out here.

David Hayter will be returning to voice Solid Snake in the Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots script written by Hideo Kojima and Shuyo Murata, Konami announced today.

Hayter will be joined by Quinton Flynn, Paul Eiding and Christopher Randolph who will continue their work as the voices of Raiden, Roy Campbell and Hal "Otacon" Emmerich, respectively. Kris Zimmerman will also return to the Metal Gear Solid series to direct the voice acting sessions for the game.

"I couldn't be more excited about this game. What I've seen of Metal Gear Solid 4 has absolutely blown me away. To bring the focus of the story back to Solid Snake, and to work with Kris Zimmerman and many of the amazing actors that provided iconic voices for the previous games, is like coming home," said David Hayter. "I'm so proud and grateful to have been involved with Mr. Kojima as the voice of Snake, for nearly a decade, on this legendary video game series. This game is going to plunge players into the ultimate Metal Gear experience. And personally, I can't wait to play it."

If you want to catch a little bit of Hayter's gravely voice before the Playstation 3 game hits make sure to check out today's edition of The Kojima Productions Report podcast where he will be talking about his work on the series and how he goes about portraying a "very different" Solid Snake in this latest game.

Very different, huh? That's not much of a hint, but at least it's not more confusing cut-scenes. Brian Crecente

Podcast

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - March 29, 2007 - Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced that iconic actor David Hayter will lead an all-star cast of returning voice talent in the highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. Continuing his commitment to the series and character he helped to define, Hayter will provide the voice for an aging and exhausted Solid Snake in the latest chapter of Hideo Kojima's legendary tactical espionage action video game series.

Returning to voice Solid Snake in an original script by Hideo Kojima and Shuyo Murata, David Hayter will be joined by returning voice actors Quinton Flynn, Paul Eiding and Christopher Randolph who will continue their work as the voices of Raiden, Roy Campbell and Hal "Otacon" Emmerich, respectively. In addition to his well known voice work in the Metal Gear Solid series, Hayter is an accomplished Hollywood script writer, having penned the original screenplays for box office hits such as "X-Men," "X2: X-Men United," and the upcoming "Black Monday." Kris Zimmerman will also return to the Metal Gear Solid series to direct the voice acting sessions for the game.

"I couldn't be more excited about this game. What I've seen of Metal Gear Solid 4 has absolutely blown me away. To bring the focus of the story back to Solid Snake, and to work with Kris Zimmerman and many of the amazing actors that provided iconic voices for the previous games, is like coming home," said David Hayter. "I'm so proud and grateful to have been involved with Mr. Kojima as the voice of Snake, for nearly a decade, on this legendary video game series. This game is going to plunge players into the ultimate Metal Gear experience. And personally, I can't wait to play it."

David Hayter will be a special guest on The Kojima Productions Report podcast on March 29 to discuss his involvement with the Metal Gear Solid series and his approach to portraying a very different Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid 4. The podcast is available for download at the official Kojima Productions web site (http://www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/english/) and via the iTunes music store. For more information on the Metal Gear Solid series, please visit www.konami.com