After a long hiatus between Mega Man games, Mega Man: Dual Override is slated to bring back Capcom's iconic hero. However, Ben Diskin--the actor who voiced the title character in Mega Man 11--has revealed that he won't be returning for Dual Override because Capcom is refusing to abide by SAG-AFTRA regulations in the next game.
"With a broken Blue Bomber heart, I am no longer the voice of Mega Man," Diskin wrote in a post on Bluesky. "I was asked to return for Mega Man: Dual Override, but only on the condition I work without the protections of a union contract."
According to Diskin, one of the reasons he refused the offer was a potential lack of AI protections, which Capcom insists are already part of the contract. But without SAG-AFTRA's backing, Diskin may not have been able to enforce that contract provision.
"I was told there are 'full AI protections in place that guarantee in writing that [my] voice will never be used for AI development,'" added Diskin. "But was also told 'with certainty, from [Capcom], that the project will not go union.'"
As reported by Rockman Corner and PC Gamer, SAG-AFTRA has issued a Do Not Work order against Mega Man: Dual Override because of the company's refusal to "initiate the signatory process." All SAG-AFTRA members have been warned not to work on Dual Override or else they may face disciplinary action from the union.
In 2024, SAG-AFTRA declared a video game voice actors strike against the industry's major publishers over several issues, including AI protections for performers. The strike lasted 11 months until a new deal was struck last summer. However, the terms of that deal only apply to games that use union talent and contracts. Non-union titles like Dual Override aren't subject to the same rules, but SAG-AFTRA's DNW order will likely mean that game won't attract A-list voice actors who are already working in the industry.
GameSpot has reached out to Capcom for comment. But unless the publisher changes its stance, Mega Man: Dual Override will need an all-new non-union cast before it debuts in 2027 on Switch, Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5. and PC.
Source
"With a broken Blue Bomber heart, I am no longer the voice of Mega Man," Diskin wrote in a post on Bluesky. "I was asked to return for Mega Man: Dual Override, but only on the condition I work without the protections of a union contract."
According to Diskin, one of the reasons he refused the offer was a potential lack of AI protections, which Capcom insists are already part of the contract. But without SAG-AFTRA's backing, Diskin may not have been able to enforce that contract provision.
"I was told there are 'full AI protections in place that guarantee in writing that [my] voice will never be used for AI development,'" added Diskin. "But was also told 'with certainty, from [Capcom], that the project will not go union.'"
As reported by Rockman Corner and PC Gamer, SAG-AFTRA has issued a Do Not Work order against Mega Man: Dual Override because of the company's refusal to "initiate the signatory process." All SAG-AFTRA members have been warned not to work on Dual Override or else they may face disciplinary action from the union.
In 2024, SAG-AFTRA declared a video game voice actors strike against the industry's major publishers over several issues, including AI protections for performers. The strike lasted 11 months until a new deal was struck last summer. However, the terms of that deal only apply to games that use union talent and contracts. Non-union titles like Dual Override aren't subject to the same rules, but SAG-AFTRA's DNW order will likely mean that game won't attract A-list voice actors who are already working in the industry.
GameSpot has reached out to Capcom for comment. But unless the publisher changes its stance, Mega Man: Dual Override will need an all-new non-union cast before it debuts in 2027 on Switch, Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5. and PC.
Source