The voice acting in both Red Dead Redemption titles is some of the best in the gaming industry. As the entire sector shifts towards becoming more cinematic and immersive, this level of quality is essential for games to maintain the high standards people have become accustomed to.
As such, it’s always great when voice actors and motion capture specialists state that they have gotten so immersed in their roles that they find it hard to break out of them. This appears to be the case with Rob Wiethoff, who voiced the much-loved John Marston.
John Marston’s Actor Found It Difficult to Switch Between Reality and Red Dead Redemption
Method and immersive acting practices are quite common in Hollywood. Jared Leto, Christian Bale, and the late Heath Ledger are popular proponents of this practice. But this isn’t only with on-screen actors. Voice actors, who often do motion capture, are just as dedicated to their craft and find it difficult to switch back to their regular selves.
People such as Christopher Judge (Kratos), Nolan North (Nathan Drake), and Melina Juergens (Senua) take their craft very seriously, a fact that is evident in their output. Rob Wiethoff is also on this list, as he has admitted he found it quite difficult to switch between being John and being Rob once the cameras stopped rolling.
Wiethoff shared this at Fan Expo where he spoke about his time on set shooting for Red Dead Redemption. He stated he would try to “sell” his actions by greatly exaggerating his movements and reactions. This was to make sure it could be captured accurately within the game. However, it seems this wasn’t limited to the set.
John Marston actor, Rob Wiethoff, on how his acting in Red Dead Redemption 2 bled into his real-life construction work. pic.twitter.com/cRRFzpqeXw
— IGN (@IGN) June 4, 2024
He goes on to say how the behavior followed him back to his construction job, where everything was done as if he were still acting. This drew jokes and jibes from his fellow construction workers, who would ask him to stop with the theatrics. Wiethoff was unaware of his actions and claimed he “forgot to turn it off.”
Rockstar Demand a Lot From Their Actors Who Are Happy to Provide
Method acting can be draining, but it can also yield stellar results leading to an overall better final product. Rob Wiethoff was not the only one who was asked by Rockstar to give his all. Roger Clark, who voiced Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2, stated he was asked to sign an NDA that was more stringent than anything asked for by even Marvel and Disney!
He stated that being unable to speak with his family and friends regarding his work helped him perform better on set. Rockstar wanted people who were quick learners and could excel in a fluid environment but were also very transparent with the actors.
The team answered every question Clark had regarding the character, allowing him to better embody the icon we now know as Arthur Morgan. It’s decisions like those that make Rockstar a studio that puts out not only great games but also great stories that stand the test of time.
What is your favorite story moment in Red Dead Redemption? Let us know in the comments below!
