Interview with Stephan Merchant

[Shakermaker]

MTV did a phone interview with Stephen Merchant about playing the role of Wheatley in Portal 2. Apparently it was hard work.

When I finished it I was like, I can never do this again, I'm so tired. Honestly, I'm not just exaggerating for the interview. I was really tired. By the third or fourth session, I was not looking forward to it. I was just like, I'm gonna be exhausted after this. So, at the time, I was thinking, Oh, I don't fancy doing this again.

Interesting interview. Merchant goes on saying that playing Wheatley made him realize that games are art. And he would do a reprise of Wheatley if Valve asked him.

 

[Katamariguy]

Gotta love hearing from voice actors after the release.

 

[Dynasty]

I wonder how his voice is recieved around the world.

I'm always really nervous about British accents used in games being sold internationally. Everyone hears the voice and perceives that voice to be how British people talk.

However, regardless of his accent, he is genuinely hilarious, but I notice he never really laughs in whatever he is doing. Podcast, TV series, TV shows or films, you never see him really laughing. He smirks, smiles and lets a few noises out sometimes, but he seems stale or something.

It works though, and from what Ive heard and seen from the game, he's hilarious.

 

[The Monkey]

Oh, I don't fancy doing this again.

And he would do a reprise of Wheatley if Valve asked him.

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5char

 

[Shakermaker]

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5char

I can copy-paste the whole interview, but you can also click the link. It'll become clear if you listen to / read it.

 

[Tony]

I wonder how Ellen McLain fared. She had by far the most lines with the single-player, co-op, turret opera, and "Want You Gone".

 

[superluser]

I wonder how Ellen McLain fared. She had by far the most lines with the single-player, co-op, turret opera, and "Want You Gone".

I have to say I missed the commentary bits with her in them. I wish that there had been a few commentary nodes with at least one of the voice actors like in Portal 1.

 

[hakojo]

I was hoping from some commentary from Ellen too - hers was easily the best from the first game. She sounded like some sweet old neighbor lady who'd invite you over for tea and cookies, and then show you the collection of dead bodies in her freezer, and you'd just kind of go along with it because she was so charming.

 

[superluser]

I was hoping from some commentary from Ellen too - hers was easily the best from the first game. She sounded like some sweet old neighbor lady who'd invite you over for tea and cookies, and then show you the collection of dead bodies in her freezer, and you'd just kind of go along with it because she was so charming.

Now that you mention it, her commentary reminds me of Ann Robinson's from the George Pal film of The War of the Worlds. Both of them struck me the same way.