David Hayter takes on the Internet

By Robert Purchese Published 10 July, 2008

Voice of Snake responds to reports.

Solid Snake voice man David Hayter has written an open letter to the Internet after comments he made at the Anime Expo recently were apparently "misinterpreted".

Hayter claimed his "acerbic" sense of humour was taken out of context, leading to stories portraying him as unhappy at some dramatic decisions by Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima. Others even suggested he was homophobic for joking about a homoerotic scene being "humiliating".

"Let me say, here and now, that that is the most ridiculous, untrue, and personally offensive thing ever said about me. I have nothing but love for the gay community (and pretty much every community, in principle). If I can clear up one gross misconception from this mess, please let it be that," said Hayter in his open letter on 1UP.

"I believe Mr. Kojima to be a true genius, and I regard his artistic choices as sacrosanct and entirely justified in every sense. It is his game, his world, and if he says that Otacon and Snake ride off into the sunset together, then that is the exact, right choice.

"I not only owe a huge portion of my career to Metal Gear and to Hideo Kojima - the genius who created them, but I am also a rabid fan of the games," he added.

Hayter went on to reveal he has Metal Gear posters on his wall, but clarified that despite his adoration for the series, he did not start a petition to write the Metal Gear screenplay.

"I pitched a Metal Gear movie outline to the MGS producers a few months back, and they opted not to hire me. That is a choice they are entirely free to make. I am not, nor will I ever be, 'petitioning' anyone to hire me for anything," explained Hayter.

"I am not suffering for screenwriting offers. I just thought I had something to offer that particular film, given my peculiar history. If someone else writes the film, then I wish him or her nothing but success. I want to see a good MGS film as much as any fan."

Hayter will be adapting Capcom game Lost Planet for the big screen, though, or so he suggested at the same US event recently. Capcom has said nothing so far, but rumours expect the publisher lift the curtain on it at E3 next week.

We also think David Hayter happens looks like a younger Ricky Gervais, but with a gravelly voice Tom keeps trying to recreate.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (10) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Artemus #1 4 years ago

    Nice headline EG.

  • agparrot #2 4 years ago

    " David Hayter takes on the Internet "

    One of the small number of people I could see winning vs. The Internet.

    Along with Mr T., natrually.

  • thats_all_folks #3 4 years ago

    I can't help but think he was barely being offensive to the gay community even if he did say that, to an unprofessional straight actor it would be embarressing. I suppose blowing his comment out of proportion makes better news. Im not exactly taking his side, its just people are soo quick to accuse people of being racist or intolorant to other cultures. Even if he did say those things about Hideo Kojima than so what, hes a genius, but no one can say the MG series is perfect and I believe everyones intitle to there opinion.

  • actionfitz #4 4 years ago

    :/
    why is it that 'famous' people must be seen to be 'all things to all people'. It seems these days a guy cant say a word without being labeled a homophobic racist paedo animal toucher... or words to that effect.
    he said:
    ""If I have a big speech about love on the battlefield, well, that's what I have to talk about," he said. "Some things are easier to say than others."
    am I the only person here that DOESNT read 'gaybasher' from that?
    If actors cant be candid when speaking about their roles then why bother interviewing them at all? why not just ask their agent for a press release - carefully vetted for gaffs and any sign of genuine humanity.

    I'd much prefer hear someone speak their mind than get some 'sterile, politically correct, bandwagon bollocks' about peace, love, happiness and the children being our future etc... regurgitated ad infinum.

    just my 2p.

    ps: the children are our future.
    pps: up the bum-> no harm done.

  • Dr.Mott #5 4 years ago

    "but with a gravelly voice Tom keeps trying to recreate."

    Haha, I can finally do that voice. I was so happy when I got it.

    And when was there any homoeroticism in MGS4? I don't seem to remember any. Not that I particularly want to see it. Or that there's anything wrong with that. I mean, I love homosexuals. But not in that way. But there's nothing wrong with liking men in that way.

    /I'll just take my shovel and leave.

  • killyourtv #6 4 years ago

    i really hope that comment about snake and otacon heading off into the sunset wasn't a spoiler for the mgs4 ending...

  • Feanor #7 4 years ago

    Yeah, me too.

  • Ninja_Tino #8 4 years ago

    It's the MGS1 alternate ending!

  • RandomTerrain #9 4 years ago

    No it wasn't a spoiler, Snake dies, rahahahahah!!
    Or does he? Yes he does... I think?
    See now I've just confused myself...

  • tobsen #10 4 years ago

    Hayter should first learn to speak properly. His weird primordial snarl has made every MGS game so far less enjoyable than it could have been.