Antony Starr will not be voicing Homelander in Mortal Kombat 1, leaving fans disappointed. Renowned for his now-iconic role as the lead antagonist of Amazon Prime Video’s hit comic book series, The Boys, most had expected Starr to fully reprise his role as Homelander in the newest iteration of the fighting game franchise. This latest news is especially disheartening considering that NetherRealm Studios had already released a DLC character, Omni-Man, from its other popular comic book series, Invincible, with J.K. Simmons reprising his voice role from the show.
Antony Starr’s confirmation came on Instagram, where he responded to a fan’s inquiry. His response, a straightforward “Nope”, has disappointed fans expecting to hear his voice, which has since become synonymous with the laser-beam shooting superhero.
While some fans still hold out hope, suggesting that Starr’s reply might be a tactic to deflect persistent queries, most of them have come to terms with the fact that Homelander in Mortal Kombat 1 will be voiced by another actor. This isn’t an unprecedented scenario in Mortal Kombat 1. For instance, in Mortal Kombat 11, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character, The Terminator, was modeled after the actor’s portrayal of the character in Terminator: Dark Fate but voiced by Chris Cox. The decision to not have Starr reprise his role is particularly noteworthy, given his recent return as Homelander in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 earlier this year.
The inclusion of Homelander as a DLC character in Mortal Kombat 1 is part of a broader trend of integrating popular characters from other intellectual properties into the game. This approach has been a hallmark of the franchise in recent years, adding a layer of excitement and cross-media appeal to the game. The current Kombat Pack, which also includes Omni-Man, Peacemaker, Ermac, Quan Chi, and Takeda, is priced at $39.99 and requires the Mortal Kombat 1 base game.
This news comes amidst a mixed reception for Mortal Kombat 1 post-launch. While the game has been successful, even winning the Best Multiplayer Game at the Golden Joystick Awards, it has also faced harsh criticism for its post-launch monetization strategies. The inability to secure Antony Starr for Homelander’s role adds another layer to the ongoing discourse about the game’s development and presentation.
The introduction of guest fighters like Omni-Man, who has been received well due to J.K. Simmons’ involvement, shows the impact of having original actors voice their iconic characters in games. This makes the absence of Starr’s voice for Homelander all the more noticeable, especially considering the character’s expected arrival in early next year.
Mortal Kombat 1’s approach to integrating characters from other media has been a double-edged sword. On one hand, it brings a fresh and exciting element to the game, drawing in fans of the respective franchises. On the other, it raises expectations about the authenticity and representation of these characters, as evidenced by the reaction to Starr not voicing Homelander.
The success of Mortal Kombat 1 and its DLC characters, including Homelander, will depend on how well the developers can balance fan expectations with the realities of game development. While the absence of Antony Starr’s voice may be a letdown for some, the character’s inclusion in the game still holds significant appeal.
The anticipation for Homelander’s introduction in Mortal Kombat 1, alongside other notable characters, continues to be one of the reasons why the game remains in the spotlight, contributing to its enduring popularity in the competitive gaming arena.
After Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1, fighting game fans can look forward to the DRM-free release of Tekken 8 in January 2024.
