Meet Nathan Drake: Uncharted 2’s Nolan North

154 16
Jeff Rubenstein Sr. Social Media Manager
16 Author Replies

It’s very unusual to meet someone you feel like you already know. I got that chance a couple of weeks ago, when I ran into Nolan North at the PlayStation Booth during the final hours of E3. If the name’s not familiar (or his face), perhaps his voice will – North is the talent behind the witty remarks of Uncharted‘s Nathan Drake.

Now North is a bit of a talker, but if you’ve got a few minutes, he’s got some interesting insights on the role of actual acting in video games, and how Naughty Dog gets such great results out of their voiceover stars for the Uncharted series.

Next up: An interview with the ladies of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

naughty dogplaystation gamesuncharted 2

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154 Comments

16 Author Replies

  • iExile
    June 16, 2009 at 5:45 pm PDT

    This guy is awesome. If they ever make a movie, Nathan Fillion should get the role.

  • Thorpe89
    June 16, 2009 at 5:47 pm PDT

    Excellent voice. I would hopefully like to see some more interviews. Maybe one with the composer? The music to the first game was excellent!

  • TheBlah11
    June 16, 2009 at 5:47 pm PDT

    can we please….PLEAAASE hear a fat princess release date!!!!!!!!!! i love uncharted as much as the next guy but the beta is satisfying me for now….BUT I NEED FAT PRINCESS NEWS TOOO!!!! please help me!

  • Luillin
    June 16, 2009 at 5:48 pm PDT

    Great! This guy is the reason that why so many ppl love Nathan Drake! Great Job! =)

    Good Interview btw =P

  • hoern
    June 16, 2009 at 5:49 pm PDT

    Nice interview :)

  • Delriach
    June 16, 2009 at 5:49 pm PDT

    That guy has such a cool voice :)

  • Spathis
    June 16, 2009 at 5:49 pm PDT

    Nolan North will always be Nathan Drake to me. Even hearing him in Prince of Persia i just kept thinking Drake. I just shows how much he and Naughty Dog nailed that character.

  • JBruno
    June 16, 2009 at 5:49 pm PDT

    Well , he does the voice of the Prince of Persia caracter too, and if I remember well, Ares in the first God of War.

  • Haskell420
    June 16, 2009 at 5:49 pm PDT

    Right,.. is it me, or does this guy have “hidden” bad a$$ written all over him

    Dude, easy, Fat princess is like July 17th

  • skynidas
    June 16, 2009 at 5:50 pm PDT

    I really liked the voice acting in Uncharted.

  • Chez83
    June 16, 2009 at 5:54 pm PDT

    I can’t wait for the game! Uncharted* by far the best game in it’s CLASS!!!

  • big-gunns
    June 16, 2009 at 5:54 pm PDT

    Awesome voice acting, this guy does a great job. Did he say he’s done acting like film acting?

  • lyfestory
    June 16, 2009 at 5:57 pm PDT

    glad im not the only one who thinks Nathan Fillion would be the perfect choice as Nathan Drake… but ive thought that since i first heard and seen Drake in action…

  • KSPRAYDAD
    June 16, 2009 at 5:58 pm PDT

    @12…

    Click on his name above…it brings you to his IMDB file.

    Here it is sorted into videogames vs tv/film instead of chrono order:

    *http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0636046/filmotype

  • xbandaidx
    June 16, 2009 at 5:59 pm PDT

    I want this dude’s autograph. :P

    I do remember seeing a few conversations before about what actors should play what, and for Roman in the first game a lot of people though that Bruce Willis would fit him pretty well.

    Also, Tom Cruise would be a HORRIBLE idea for Nathan. That would actually kill the movie in my opinion.

    Excellent interview.

  • westendmatt
    June 16, 2009 at 5:59 pm PDT

    GREAT interview! I have to say Uncharted 1 blew me away with the acting quality. The way the lines were delivered so matter of fact, is a huuge part of what makes that game. Kudos to all the great actors involved in this project.
    PS North should get the role for Drake

  • TrueFFVIIFan
    June 16, 2009 at 6:01 pm PDT

    Aw. No subtitle as an option? :-( By the way, since you mentioned you are going to look into this matter- but at least for now… Why don’t you write up summary of what your interview is all about? I mean Q & A? I am aware of the fact that too much of work will be put into this one… So eh, right?

    At least, can you please do me a favor and send the same message to Pulse and Qore. I am- not only frustrated, but truly tired that there is no option for us to listen to this other than watching those videos only. I hope Sony is actively looking into this matter. That’s all. But still, thank you anyway.

  • ZekeXenu
    June 16, 2009 at 6:03 pm PDT

    Jeff,

    Great interview. Nolan North seems like a really down to earth guy (as does the rest of the cast) — and that’s always a great thing.

    One request: when talking about Uncharted 2, especially how well it’s written and performed, could you please ask questions on what the acting/directing process is like. I find it fascinating, especially considering that most video games have such stilted voice acting.

    I think the fact that the actors in U2 are actually PERFORMING in the motion capture suits while saying the dialog is incredibly beneficial to the overall feel of the game and its story.

    Anyway, great work… and I second (or third) the Nathan Fillion as Drake casting choice.

    • Jeff Rubenstein
      June 16, 2009 at 6:43 pm PDT

      Sure, personally, I\’d like to see more about how they did the recording. Hopefully we\’ll be able to track down some video.

  • CloudStorm87
    June 16, 2009 at 6:03 pm PDT

    Nolan North rocks! Drake’s voice is not just one of the best, but one of the most convincing I’ve heard in a game. Nolan really brings Drake’s character to life, and makes him believable and human. In fact, credit goes to the entire team/cast behind the acting and writing in Uncharted because this game is probably the closest thing I’ve seen to a playable movie. So if anyone from Uncharted 2’s cast/production team is reading- keep up the great work!

  • Toddy2Hotty
    June 16, 2009 at 6:03 pm PDT

    If they didn’t give the role to Nolan, I’d be OK with Nathan Fillion playing the part. Or perhaps Ben Browder… Claudia Black has already worked with him in a number of things… which reminds me, I miss Farscape! :\

  • Armstrong
    June 16, 2009 at 6:07 pm PDT

    Nolan North rocks!

  • katsuo7171
    June 16, 2009 at 6:13 pm PDT

    Emily=Elena
    Claudia=Chloe
    Nolan=Nathan

    Hmmmm, Are the beginning letters of each name matching for a reason. Or was it just coincidence?

    Anyways, when you say he’s quite the talker, that’s no joke is it? :P

    • Jeff Rubenstein
      June 16, 2009 at 6:43 pm PDT

      I asked that question! You\’ll see it in the next video.

      And yes, I had to cut out a few minutes :-P

  • CloudStorm87
    June 16, 2009 at 6:13 pm PDT

    Oh btw, I can’t see why Nolan himself couldn’t play as Drake in a live action movie. He’s a good looking fella and a good actor – Nolan FTW!

  • Incubuster
    June 16, 2009 at 6:13 pm PDT

    More Uncharted! More!

  • P-Noozi
    June 16, 2009 at 6:16 pm PDT

    So Nolan plays Nathan… Emily plays Elena… and Claudia plays Chloe? Is that a coincidence or intended?

  • Artificialheart
    June 16, 2009 at 6:18 pm PDT

    Those three look like really cool people to meet, and that blonde looks Elena must be the pony tail.

  • grashopper
    June 16, 2009 at 6:19 pm PDT

    Its obvious that Jeff should play Drake on the big screen. Ya look like you could climb like a monkey. ;)

  • KazeEternal
    June 16, 2009 at 6:19 pm PDT

    So excited ^^ this game makes me all warm and fuzzy inside lol.

    Seriously though the cast of Uncharted is just simply awesome and Nolan North really brings something to the character that maybe hard from someone else to take up the reins on (@19 perhaps a job for Ben Browder, loved him on farscape along with Claudia Black).

    Thanks for getting us some interviews with the Uncharted case Jeff.

  • jasoncourt
    June 16, 2009 at 6:20 pm PDT

    Great interview. It was really cool how genuinely excited he is about the game and the character. I especially liked the discussion about the line from the E3 demo about climbing. Nice look into one of the best characters in all of videogaming.

  • Paznos
    June 16, 2009 at 6:20 pm PDT

    Great interview Jeff! it was awesome to hear from Nolan! I finally finished my “Crushing” playthrough of Uncharted and got my Platinum trophy, I can’t wait for the 2nd game and I’m also looking forward to the interview with the girls!

  • Vengeful-Chaos
    June 16, 2009 at 6:20 pm PDT

    Honestly Jeff enough with the awesome Playstation shirts my jealousy can only go so far.

    Another great interview, Nolan North seems like a down to earth guy I can see his qualities in Nathan Drake which makes for a great character which Drake is.

  • skinnynerd03
    June 16, 2009 at 6:24 pm PDT

    awesome interview!

  • Lucreto
    June 16, 2009 at 6:30 pm PDT

    I loved Claudia Black in Stargate and I an glad she has a voice in the game.

    Rene Auberjonois (Odo from Star trek DS9) is also in it. My favourite Sci-fi actors in my favourite series.

    I am in Heaven.

  • GibbShift
    June 16, 2009 at 6:39 pm PDT

    “North’s a bit of a talker”

    And that’s okay with me. LOVE this guy. He breathes life into this character and the game itself. He’s just as important as the guy’s he name dropped who developed it (though they should get more face time and a means to receive positive e-mails applauding their skills). I just hope this game thrives in the Fall, even though there are a LOT of other AAA titles besides U2 that will be coming out as well.

    Claudia Black is a FOX. I can only imagine myself losing concentration while looking at her and Emily Rose in those skin tight mo-cap suits.

    Don’t tell my wife.:P

    • Jeff Rubenstein
      June 16, 2009 at 6:47 pm PDT

      Don\’t tell mine. You\’ll see in the interview tomorrow that I seem to be smiling an awful lot :-D

  • Tikicobra
    June 16, 2009 at 6:39 pm PDT

    Love Drake, love North.

  • mafia28
    June 16, 2009 at 6:39 pm PDT

    Nolan North is the man!!!

  • SilverPR
    June 16, 2009 at 6:40 pm PDT

    Best Interview ever!!! This guy’s resume is outstanding. From Nathan Drake to Raphael, even Deadpool from Hulk vs this guy can do it all. He should be on the top voice actors like Tara Strong and others. This guy is EPIC!!!

  • oom9
    June 16, 2009 at 6:41 pm PDT

    the voice fits the character so well, naughty dog and Sony nailed that one. Good job guys, can’t wait for among thieves! Oh yeah, and I remember Nolan from the videos in the first game

  • Zookey
    June 16, 2009 at 6:43 pm PDT

    Best video to date Jeff! Very informative and inspiring. Personally, I saw where those guys want to make Uncharted a live action film–they better get North! Makeup can make him look young enough and the voice is so central and iconic to Drake, oh and Gene (one of my artists) brought over the Marvel vid where Nolan played Deadpool–he did an AWESOME job! (AWWWW THAT WAS MY FAVORITE GUN *SLO-MO PUNCH TO FACE*!)

  • tirminyl
    June 16, 2009 at 6:44 pm PDT

    Great interview. Thanks for letting it roll in the end!

    • Jeff Rubenstein
      June 16, 2009 at 6:48 pm PDT

      Thanks for saying so. I was a bit worried about the length of the video, but attention span FTW!

  • Azured_Scorpio
    June 16, 2009 at 6:51 pm PDT

    Nolan North=Awesomeness!

    Thank you for the interview Jeff, greatly appreciated!

  • DFogz
    June 16, 2009 at 6:56 pm PDT

    I can’t believe how much Nolan and Emily looked like their characters. I love the voice acting in the Uncharted games, it gives it a more human feel, instead of like he said, the typical tough guy lines.

    BTW Jeff – Digging the shirt! Did I read it right? Attended the GDC Blog Lounge

  • kdiep
    June 16, 2009 at 6:57 pm PDT

    lol no offense Jeff but you kinda had a creepy look on your face a big portion of the video.

    Anyway great interview, was awesome at the end and was on the border of epic.

  • Oblivion2031
    June 16, 2009 at 7:01 pm PDT

    Hmmm… There’s something about Nolan that reminds me of Ethan Hunt from Mission Impossible, but I can’t quite put my finger on it…
    ಠ_ಠ

  • womfalcs3
    June 16, 2009 at 7:01 pm PDT

    @21

    Not only that, but they also physically resemble the characters they play in the game.

  • EmperorKorea
    June 16, 2009 at 7:06 pm PDT

    he got skinny.

  • Wollan
    June 16, 2009 at 7:12 pm PDT

    Nolan North should play Drake in a potential movie. He looks almost identical, a bit more muscular jaw than Nathan but other than that, they’re the same person.

    Actually, most of the actors there have very close likeness to the characters.

  • Jeff257
    June 16, 2009 at 7:17 pm PDT

    If they ever did a movie they should just grab the cast from the games for it. Nolan is the big reason Uncharted worked so well and its a return to form with Uncharted 2. I cant wait to hear what other jokes and lines he has. Also if anyone who has played Uncharted knows they do have behind the scenes vids of the cast acting out the scenes while also showing the finished product so you get to see how it was put together.

  • Gump_
    June 16, 2009 at 7:18 pm PDT

    Excellent interview! And if there is a Uncharted movie I think Nolan North should be Drake!

  • john_ecko
    June 16, 2009 at 7:18 pm PDT

    Nathan Fillion’a character from Firefly, Malcolm Reynolds, totally reminds me of Nathan Drake. Nathan Fillion might look a little too old though.

    Great interview. Funny ending, cool that they all seem to get along.

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