Blizzplanet contacted Robert Clotworthy, the professional voice actor of Jim Raynor in the best Real-Time Strategy Game: Starcraft, and its expansion Brood War.

His performance as Jim Raynor boosted the interest of fans in the Starcraft storyline and the personality of this iconic character.  A strong-will driven marshall from a backwater post in planet Mar Sara who cares for his crew, and any innocent civilian; and fights for the good cause.  A character who makes mistakes, acknowledges them, and tries to ammend.  A man who won’t give up even before a grim and ugly scenario. Many fans feel portrayed by the character. To others it has served as inspiration for a decade.  Today, we meet the voice actor behind Jim Raynor.

Robert Clotworthy has provided services to over a hundred projects ranging from games, films, animated cartoon series, animated films, TV Series, TV shows, and more. Among those I could mention The DaVinci Code(2006), Kingdom Hearts II(2005 - video game), Hercules (2005 - Narrator), Everquest II, Tekken 5, Shrek(2001), Serendipity(2001), The New Batman Adventures (1998), Mulan (1998), Melrose Place(1996), Matlock(1990), Falcon Crest(1986), Three’s Company(1984), and “M*A*S*H” (1978), just to name a few.

According to IMDB, Robert Clotworthy is going to return as Jim Raynor in Starcraft II(2008). However, the actor told Blizzplanet he has not been contacted by Blizzard Entertainment.

What was it like voiceing Jim Raynor for the first Starcraft game?

Robert: It was 1998 when I recorded Jim Raynor, close to ten years ago so the memory may be a bit fuzzy. I know it was fun, it was the first video game character that I had the opportunity to play. Everyone was great, Chris Metzen was there and together we just tried a few different voices till we settled on the raspy one. Chris showed me some artwork that I believe he drew of Raynor. I remember one especially where Raynor was on some futuristic motorcycle and he had all these really cool weapons and I thought Raynor looked like the kind of guy you wouldn’t mess with. I made the choice that since Raynor was such a bad ass, he didn’t need to get really loud… it was up to the other characters to shut up and listen… and if they didn’t, well that was their mistake.


What did you like of your character and its personality?

Robert: What I like about Raynor, and I have to credit Chris for this, is that even though Raynor is a simple man… he sees things in black and white… he’s conflicted. It’s not always easy to do the right thing. But that’s where Raynor shows his courage, he does what’s right even if it is the difficult choice. In his relationship with Kerrigan, they were very close, obviously they were in love… that’s what makes the challenge to him so great when she changes into something that he has vowed to destroy. In destroying her he has to destroy a bit of himself as well. In destroying the only woman he has ever loved or will love, he’s condemning himself to a lifetime of being alone. But he’s willing to make that sacrifice for the greater good. He’s a true hero in the purest sense of the word. We need more Raynor’s in the world, hopefully we all have a bit of him in each of us.


Would you want to come back to voice Jim or other characters in Starcraft 2?

Robert: It would be a thrill to play Raynor again. I’ve got ten years more life experience (as does Raynor) and I would love to draw on that. Also, I’m curious to see how Raynor’s doing… how’s he holding up. I’m sure he’s been through some intense shit.


Have you played Starcraft before to see your character’s performance?

Robert: Chris sent me copies of Star Craft and Brood War. The gang at Blizzard also gave me all the cheat codes (don’t ask me what they are, and I hope I’m not in trouble) so I could rip through the game pretty quickly. I enjoyed it. I like the way it turned out.


What’s your own personality like? What similarities/differences do you think you have with Raynor?

Robert: I would love to say that Raynor and I are doppelgangers or twins separated at birth but were not. I tend to be a half glass full kind of guy, have lots of friends and haven’t killed anyone. But having said that, even if I don’t live my life each day as Raynor would, I believe in his principles. He’s honest, direct, passionate, doesn’t look for trouble but if trouble comes knocking… he won’t run away from it.


Where has your involvement in the Starcraft game taken you? Tell us about your work before and after.

Robert: I have been professionally acting since I was 15. I’ve done dozens of films and television shows. Go to IMDB to check out my credits. I was the lead voice in the video game “The Da Vinci Code” and am in two exciting soon to be released games “The Darkness” which was done in motion capture and I play the lead villain Loden in “Lair” with flying dragons. I’m also in the film “Rendition” with Meryl Streep and Reese Witherspoon. I also do a lot of narration and have done two projects for George Lucas, “Star Wars: The making of the Star Wars Trilogy” and “Star Wars: The legacy Revealed”.


About how long did it take to record all of your lines for the PC game? Raynor is one of the characters with most lines

Robert: As I recall I worked maybe three or four days. Each session would go maybe four hours.


Were there any memorable moments or anecdotes while doing the voice work?

Robert: Besides Chris streaking us? Just kidding…


Who do you think would play your character in a live-action movie?

Robert: Good question. I love Clive Owen. He’s dangerous. He would be a good choice.


Do you have any children? If so, do they play StarCraft?

Robert: I don’t have any kids, but if I did I would insist that they play Star Craft every day.


Have you met Glynnis Talken, voice actress for Sarah Kerrigan or any of the other actors?

Robert: I don’t believe I met Glynnis. I am good friends with Michael Gough (Tassadar/Deckard Cain) and Paul Eiding (Judicator Aldaris / Mephisto). I’ve also met Harry Shearer (Science Vessel) a few times when he was on Saturday Night Live.


Is there any character from another game/film that you’ve ever wanted to do voice over, who?

Robert: I would love to do every roll I audition for but that just doesn’t happen. If they ever do a 1940’s film noir type game with Phillip Marlowe that would be a fantasy come true. Otherwise, I just hope that whatever characters I get cast to play are interesting and not someone that just screams and shouts orders.


What’s your favorite film or video game sci-fi franchise, besides StarCraft?

Robert: I like the first person shooter games. Call of Duty, Ghost Recon etc. My favorite film is “It’s a wonderful life” I don’t think Jim Raynor has seen it.


Did you voice any characters for StarCraft: Ghost? If so, can you speak about the characters?

Robert: Jim Raynor was the only one I remember voicing. I might have done some secondary characters but I don’t recall.


Would you ever want to work in a Pixar film or have you already?

Robert: I would love to. I came very close to being the voice match for Paul Newman in Cars and would have done all the products that he was not available for. John Lassiter is a genius and it would be a thrill to work with him.


What are your current and upcoming projects?

Robert: I’m pretty busy. I am working each week on something. I already mentioned the video games and the film with Meryl Streep. I recently worked with Eddie Izzard on “The Riches”. The Star Wars documentary aired on Memorial Day. I’m having fun and each day is an adventure.


What is your professional contact website?

Robert: My website is RobertClotworthy.com. It’s a little rough around the edges but I hope to have a new one up and running by the end of the year.


Anything you wish to tell fans of Jim Raynor and Starcraft?

Robert: Thank you for your interest and support. The games are made for the fans and if I was able to make that experience a little more enjoyable for people then I did my job. It was great to play Raynor, I hope to come back and do it again. Remember, we need more Raynor’s in the world. Be strong, fight the good fight, stand up for what you believe in and if you feel that the world’s beaten you down ... pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try again. As long as you keep trying ... they can’t beat you. Raynor out.

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UPDATE: Medievaldragon here.  Please, do not feel like Blizzard Entertainment doesn’t want to bring back the voice actors of Jim Raynor, Zeratul and Kerrigan. Blizzard is hard at work polishing and balancing the game at this point. Casting usually takes place near release.  I won’t be surprised if they aren’t contacted until 2008. Be at ease.

Thanks to the community for submiting questions for Robert.  Thanks to Blizzard for getting the best voice actors.  And to those fansites who supported the interview: MeetYourMakers, SCLegacy, StarcraftTwo, GosuGamers, Gamona, Broodwar.de, InsideMacGames and GamingEye to name a few. UPDATE - March 11, 2009: Glynnis is officially not rehearsing her role as Kerrigan in Starcraft 2. Blizzard decided to take a new voice direction. Details here.