Netflix is developing an animated series based on theSplinter Cellseries, and here is why actor Michael Ironside isn’t voicing the franchise’s protagonist Sam Fisher in the upcoming showSplinter Cell: Deathwatch.Netflix has been seriously delving into the world of video game adaptationsin recent years, with series likeCastlevania,Arcane,Cyberpunk: Edgerunners,The Cuphead Show, and more making their way onto the streaming service. More details on some upcoming video game adaptations were given at Netflix’s Geeked Week ‘24, including the highly anticipatedSplinter Cell: Deathwatchanimated series.
The first teaser for Netflix’sSplinter Cell: Deathwatchis out now, giving a first look at the upcoming animated series. Rumors of a partnership betweenNetflix and Ubisoft that would culminate in aSplinter Cellserieshave been making the rounds for years now, and the newly announced adaptation of the acclaimed video game series is the culmination of this (viaVariety). Although the teaser doesn’t show off much, it is enough to get fans excited, with it seeming mostly faithful to the games so far. However, there is one notable exception to this, withSplinter Cell: Deathwatchmaking a major change to its protagonist.
Liev Schreiber Is Voicing Sam Fisher For Netflix’s Splinter Cell Show, Not Michael Ironside
Taking Over For The Original Sam Fisher Voice Actor
As part of the first teaser for Netflix’sSplinter Cell: Deathwatchseries, it was officially announced that Liev Schreiber will be voicing Sam Fisher in the animated show. Liev Schreiber is a critically acclaimed actor most well-known for starring in the Showtime seriesRay Donovan, but he has also starred in a variety of other well-known projects, with him playing Robert Thorn in 2006’sThe OmenandSabertooth inX-Men Origins: Wolverine.Splinter Cellis only the newest major franchise that Schreiber is joining, although he is replacing the franchise’s longtime Sam Fisher actor.
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Michael Ironside is the actor who has voiced Sam Fisher in previous versions ofSplinter Cell, which is why it is a bit surprising that Liev Schreiber will be taking over the role. Although Ironside is a bit older than he was when he initially took up the role of Sam Fisher, he has voiced him as recently as 2020. Outside ofSplinter Cell,Michael Ironside has played big roles in massive movies likeTop Gun,Starship Troopers, andScanners, as well as more recent films like 2021’sNobodyand 2023’sLate Night with the Devil.
Michael Ironside Voiced Splinter Cell’s Sam Fisher For Nearly 20 Years
Starting In The Original Tom Clacny’s Splinter Cell
Michael Ironside has been voicing Sam Fisher in theSplinter Cellfranchisefor nearly 20 years now, making it pretty surprising that Netflix’s adaptation decided to recast him. Ironside initially began voicing the character in the franchise’s debut game, 2002’sTom Clancy’s Splinter Cell. Ironside returned to the role in all six of the consoleSplinter Cellgames, with him playing the character all the way through 2010’sTom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction. However, this wasn’t the last time he voiced the character.
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In 2013, the franchise made the surprising decision to recast Sam Fisher for the first time, withactor Eric Johnson playing the character inTom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist. However, Michael Ironside again played Sam Fisher only a few years later in 2018’sTom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands. Michael Ironside’s last time playing Sam Fisher as of the writing of this article was in 2020’sTom Clacny’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint, which had a tie-in withSplinter Cell. However, Nigel Barber took over the role again for 2023’sCaptain Laswerhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix.
What Michael Ironside Has Said About Sam Fisher’s Recasting
The Original Actor Has Already Discussed The Change
Despite Liev Schreiber’s role inSplinter Cell: Deathwatchjust being officially announced by Netflix,Michael Ironside already commented on thisSplinter Cellrecastingin August of 2024. When asked about Netflix’sSplinter Cellanime, Ironside stated that Liev Schreiber would be playing Sam Fisher in the upcoming series, with him having been recast. It seems as if there are no hard feelings, as Ironside stated that him being 75 means that he is too old to play Sam Fisher, with him being older than the 56-year-old Schreiber. Here are his full comments:
Netflix owns Sam Fisher. They’ve already shot the miniseries, an extended series with Liev Schreiber playing Sam. And I think it’s done and in the can. They also have an anime series with Sam that they’re going to push first. COVID and the SAG strike delayed everything a bit, but no, I’m sure I’ll be 75 in the spring. There’s no way I should be playing Sam Fisher. I can’t be a part of the series because if I open my mouth, they’ll know it’s Sam.
In this quote, Ironside also seemingly confirmed that he will not be playing any other character inSplinter Cell: Deathwatch. According to the actor, his voice is so associated with Sam that it would be strange for fans to hear his voice coming out of anotherSplinter Cellcharacter’s mouth. Thus, it seems like Michael Ironside will have no involvement with Netflix’sSplinter Cellanime, which may be sad for some fans.
