Movies

Sources dispute Bayonetta voice actor’s claims about compensation offer

October 18, 2022

Sources have disputed recent claims by former Bayonetta comedian Hellena Taylor, who said she was offered an “insulting” offer of just $4,000 to reprise her role in Game 3.

In a series of videos posted to social media over the weekend, Taylor – who was replaced as Bayonetta in the upcoming Switch sequel by veteran Jennifer Hale – slammed developer PlatinumGames and called on fans to boycott Bayonetta 3.

The actor claimed that she eventually wrote to PlatinumGames Vice President Hideki Kamiya, who she said offered her no more than what she called an “immoral” offer to reprise her role.

Taylor’s videos have been viewed nearly 10 million times to date, and the actor has received an outpouring of support from gamers as well as other voice actors, who have long complained of being underpaid. The videos also led to harassment from Platinum developers and new Bayonetta actor Hale.

However, sources cited in a Bloomberg report have now disputed some of the claims made by the voice actor, many of which VGC can corroborate via our own sources.

According to people with knowledge of the situation, as well as documents reviewed by both Bloomberg and VGC, Platinum intended to rehire Taylor last summer.

It is claimed that Platinum sought to hire Taylor for “at least” five sessions (VGC sources suggested it could have been as few as four), each paying $3,000 to $4,000 for four hours in the studio.

That would have brought Taylor’s total fees to $15,000, Bloomberg reports, as VGC can corroborate via our own sources. A person with knowledge of the deal told VGC that it represented a significant increase in Taylor’s fee for Game 2.

According to Bloomberg, the voice actor responded by asking for a six-figure sum as well as residuals on the game — a claim Taylor strongly denies. VGC’s sources echoed the residue request, but did not mention a requested sum.

In private messages with VGC, Taylor called the suggestion that she was offered more than $4,000 “categorically untrue.” She also called sources’ claims that she could have won $15,000 an “absolute lie and a complete joke.”

“I would love to put that in the [rearview] mirror and leave the whole bloody franchise behind,” she told VGC. “So I think I’ll just let my videos stand. I’ve been telling the truth.

In Taylor’s video messages – which she says were an act of breaking non-disclosure agreements – the actress claimed her worry about being out of work caused her to suffer from anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.

People familiar with Platinum’s negotiations have indicated that they know Taylor has suffered from depressive episodes in the past.

PlatinumGames did not respond to a request for comment on this story.

Since posting her claims over the weekend, Taylor has been met with an outpouring of support, including from other voice actors who have shared their experiences of receiving similar offers.

Platinum VP Hideki Kamiya’s Twitter account was temporarily restricted over the weekend following a series of posts in response to Taylor’s allegations, including one in which he called the claims Taylor fakes.

New Bayonetta comedian Jennifer Hale released a statement Monday directly addressing the controversy.

“Anyone who knows me or has followed my career will know that I have great respect for my peers and stand up for all members of the community,” she said. “I am under NDA and I am not free to speak about this situation. My reputation speaks for itself. »