Although the release of the long-awaited PS4 remake of
Final Fantasy VII was recently pushed back to April, it is just around the corner and will be hitting consoles before fans know it. We recently had the opportunity to chat with the voice actor tasked with taking on the role of one of the most iconic and popular characters in all of Final Fantasy history - Cloud Strife.
Cody Christian, who lends his voice talents to Cloud in the upcoming
Final Fantasy VII Remake, is actually known for his on-screen acting talents as this is his first foray into voice acting. He is a regular on the CW's
All American and he also has starred in popular series such as
Teen Wolf and
Pretty Little Liars.
Catching up with Cody, we got to talk about how nervous and apprehensive he is to take on such a big-name character for his first voice acting experience, the difference between expressing yourself on screen versus in a booth via microphone, and much much more. We got some excellent material from Christian that we think you'll love, and we tossed some images in the mix to spice it up for you. Without further adieu, dig in!
Joe: I’d like to start by asking if you are nervous to step into the shoes of Cloud Strife - a character who has amassed such a large fan-base over the years.
Cody Christian: Absolutely! The magnitude of the Final Fantasy world and what it means to its fanbase was certainly intimidating. However, the path my predecessor established laid such an imaginative foundation that I was confident I could follow the lead while also infusing my own distinct take on the character.
I also had a fantastic team supporting me the entire way. I trusted those who trusted me. Given that this is my first major voice acting role, knowing I had a team around me gave me the confidence I needed to continually strive for the best performance in this depiction of Cloud.
Joe: Final Fantasy VII remains one of the most popular titles in the franchise and JRPGs of all time - have you ever played it yourself?
Cody Christian: I personally did not play Final Fantasy, however, before starting this project, I was able to watch an entire play through of the original FF7 on Youtube. My older brother grew up playing the game. I was able to get so much insight and backstory from my brother who considers himself a fan of the franchise, which aided in a deeper understanding of the story and its characters.
Joe: The original game didn’t feature voice acting the way that the remake will, and in some ways you are going to be the definitive voice actor for a very popular character in certain fans’ eyes. Are you worried about what the reception to your take on the hero might be?
Cody Christian: Of course. I’m certainly a little apprehensive. I am well aware of how beloved this character is to the fanbase. Those who have engaged with the franchise over the years have a special loyalty to the characters. They’ve grown up with them. And that’s significant.
I’ve come to understand that it’s impossible to please everyone. Nor all expectations can be met. The best I can do is commit and give my all. Understanding the depth and complexity of Cloud; humanizing him in order for the audience to empathize and connect throughout their journey of playing the game has been a top priority for me from since the beginning.
Joe: You are known for your live action roles in Teen Wolf, Pretty Little Liars, All American, and more - how is this voice acting role different from what you normally do?
Cody Christian: In the film/tv world, I have so much aiding my performance. From the wardrobe, to the set design and lighting. Not to mention the masterfully written scripts and insightful direction. I’m able to put an authentic feeling behind the story being told through a very “fake but real” immersive environment. On set when I’m running and jumping or having a physical interaction with another character, I’m doing it for real.
However, as a voiceover actor, I’m not flipping through the air or swinging a Buster sword or feeling the fear of Sephiroth’s presence while I’m in the vocal booth. In fact, in most cases, my motions have to be restricted due to the sensitivity of the microphone. It will pick up any excessive movement. There is a constant risk of going “off-mic” and compromising the integrity of the vocal quality.
I learned very quickly that I had to almost go inside and use my imagination to really put myself there, I couldn’t rely on an outside world. I had to create motion and intensity while remaining stagnant. I immediately began fine-tuning the skills required to use your voice as a tool. Annunciation. Inflection. Tone. Clarity. All while feeling the present emotion yet not being able to outwardly express anything. Physical acting and voice acting are certainly different tools and different methods, but both share the common thread of story telling!
Joe: Are you hoping to break into more voice acting roles in the future, or would you prefer to stick to acting once FF7 is in the bag?
Cody Christian: This experience has undoubtedly opened my eyes to a new world. I’m excited to continue down this path and see what other voice acting opportunities lie in the future!
Joe: Despite voicing Cloud Strife, the main character in FF7 - do you have a favorite from the game? Many people love Sephiroth, Vincent, and Cid - but who do you like?
Cody Christian: One of my personal favorites is Wedge. His humor and levity really add to the story. Barrett’s also one of my top picks! We’ve have a lot of back and forth banter between him and Cloud in store.
Joe: What differences are there between the original game and the remake that you can share with us?
Cody Christian:The world in the remake is massive compared to the original. Even the smallest details were treated with significance which truly makes this such an immersive experience for the fans.
Joe: During Cloud’s date at the Golden Saucer - fans know that he can pick either Tifa, Aeris, or Barrett to join in the romance - which of these characters do you chose?
Cody Christian: Definitely Tifa!
Joe: Where do you find your inspiration for the voice of Cloud? Is it your normal voice or do you channel another character or emotions within you to lend cadence to such an iconic character?
Cody Christian: I pull a lot of inspiration from past depictions of the character. I know how much fans have come to know and love Cloud. Mr. Burton truly paved the way. My performance is a combination of my normal voice in conjunction with the character’s emotions helping deliver the vocals. I speak through the perspective of our hero’s eyes and his heart in order to give a modern yet historically truthful depiction.
What do you think of these comments by Cody Christian? Are you excited for the long-awaited release of the
Final Fantasy VII Remake? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and check out the trailer for the
Final Fantasy VII Remake below!
In Midgar, a city controlled by the mega-conglomerate Shinra Inc., the No. 1 Mako Reactor has been blown up by a rebel group, AVALANCHE. AVALANCHE was secretly formed to wage a rebellion against Shinra Inc., an organisation which is absorbing Mako energy, destroying the natural resources of the planet.
Cloud, a former member of Shinra's elite combat force, SOLDIER, was involved with the bombing of the Mako Reactor. Can Cloud and AVALANCHE protect the planet from the huge, formidable enemy, Shinra Inc.?
Final Fantasy VII Remake will release on April 10th, 2020 for the PlayStation 4 and XBOX One the following year.