"My name is Sam Fisher and I am a Splinter Cell."
Fans of stealth, more intelligent games, should recognize this quote, and more importantly - recognize the character's voice, even without hearing it. Yes, one of the biggest shortcomings of the last
Splinter Cell game, released in 2013
Blacklist, was the fact that Ubisoft, the series' publisher, has decided to hire Eric Johnson to take over the role of Sam Fisher after five big games with Michael Ironside.
Ubisoft was trying to explain that with an excuse that their technology was capturing full-body acting, it would no longer do to have the ageing Ironside in a mo-cap suit since he, well, isn't exactly in Fisher's shape. It looks like Ubisoft has finally understood that mistake and brought Ironside back to voice Fisher in the special
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands event (which is available for free right now).
In an interview with IGN, returning in glory actor explained the origins of his Fisher. "
Sam was this one-line, two-dimensional character," he said. "
There [were] no organics to him." He then explained how he rewrote the character with original
Splinter Cell developer Ubisoft Montreal. "
We created a backstory. We created a family [for him], and where he goes, and what he does, and who he trusts."
The actor also added that he never felt like he left the role of
Splinter Cell's protagonist, as he said
"I am Sam Fisher." Then, he hinted at the possibility of a new game in the franchise, although he was quite vague on the matter: "
Let's see if the storylines allow an organic [way to bring] Sam back." It's really good to have you back, Mr. Ironside. The E3 can't come soon enough. Play it again, Sam.