‘There’s No Way I Should Be Playing Sam Fisher’

After nearly two decades as the voice of Sam Fisher in the Splinter Cell franchise, Michael Ironside has passed the torch. Ironside has revealed why he won’t be reprising the role for Netflix’s upcoming animated adaptation.

After voicing the character for nearly two decades, the role now goes to Liev Schreiber, best known for his roles in Ray Donovan and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. This change has raised eyebrows among long-time fans, but in recent interviews, Ironside has explained his reasons for stepping back, as well as why Schreiber is now the man for the job.

Splinter Cell‘s Most Iconic Character is Getting a New Voice After Ages

The Splinter Cell anime, developed in collaboration between Netflix and Ubisoft, has been in production since 2020. With delays caused by the pandemic and industry strikes, many wondered if Michael Ironside would reprise his iconic role in this new adaptation. However, in August 2024, Ironside confirmed that he would not return as the iconic character.

Here’s your first look at Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Deathwatch, a new animated series from Netflix and Ubisoft Film & Television. Starring Liev Schreiber as Sam Fisher. #GeekedWeek pic.twitter.com/XXOkvSFqzt

— Netflix (@netflix) September 20, 2024

Ironside first voiced Fisher in 2002’s Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell and continued through later games until Ghost Recon Wildlands in 2018. His absence was first felt in Splinter Cell: Blacklist (2013) when Eric Johnson took over the role. Now, at 75 years old, Ironside believes it’s time to pass the baton to someone younger.

Many fans hoped Ironside would have at least a cameo role in the anime series. However, the actor explained that this wouldn’t be the case. He stated that his voice is so closely tied to the character that hearing him portray another character might confuse or distract viewers.

I can’t be a part of the series because if I open my mouth, they’ll know it’s Sam.

In an interview with The Nerd Shepherd, Ironside admitted that he no longer felt suitable for the physically demanding role of a covert operative. “There’s no way I should be playing Sam Fisher,” he said, acknowledging that his age made it impossible for him to continue the role.

Netflix Has a Good Track Record With Video Game Adaptations

In recent years, Netflix has heavily invested in adapting video games into animated series, with Splinter Cell: Deathwatch being one of the latest ventures. After the success of Castlevania, Arcane, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, the streaming giant is aiming to continue the success.

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The show is being co-directed by Guillaume Dousse and Félicien Colmet-Daage, with John Wick creator Derek Kolstad serving as head writer and executive producer. The series is part of a larger collaboration between Netflix and Ubisoft, which includes other animated and live-action projects based on popular video game franchises.

Ironside also revealed that his absence from Deathwatch wasn’t due to any internal conflict with Netflix or Ubisoft. The decision was mutually understood as a necessary change because of his age and the nature of the series’ production.

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He noted that Netflix had already wrapped filming for the upcoming miniseries and anime series, both of which feature Schreiber as the titular character.

For fans of Ironside’s portrayal of Fisher, this may mark the end of an era, but it’s not without a sense of closure. Ironside himself seems content with passing the torch, confident that Schreiber will do justice to the character. With the anime series set to launch soon, viewers will soon see how this new vision of Sam Fisher holds up against the weight of his legacy.

What do you think of a new voice portraying Sam Fisher? Let us know in the comments!