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Welsh Actor Taps Childhood for Pirate Game Role
9 Jul
Summary
- Matt Ryan used his Welsh childhood for motion capture role.
- Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag features a Welsh protagonist.
- Game backstory was altered to match actor's Welsh accent.
Matt Ryan, originally from Swansea, has revealed that he channeled his Welsh childhood experiences to prepare for his role as Edward Kenway in the highly successful Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag video game. This critically acclaimed pirate-themed adventure, featuring Kenway's journey from privateer to pirate in the Caribbean, is set to have an updated version released on Thursday.
Ryan, who lent his voice and motion capture performance to the character, found that the immersive motion capture process reminded him of his imaginative childhood spent in Wales. He recalled how simple objects, like sticks, transformed into swords or guns in his youthful play.
Interestingly, the developers decided to alter Kenway's original northern English accent and backstory to match Ryan's natural Welsh accent, a change he appreciated. Ryan expressed his excitement for players, both new and returning, to experience the game again, noting it's a treat to revisit the role he first performed over a decade ago.
Beyond his work on Assassin's Creed, Ryan is also recognized for portraying Detective John Constantine in the NBC series of the same name. He left Swansea after studying performing arts and went on to train at drama school before a successful career that includes work with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Ryan maintains strong ties to Wales, frequently visiting his hometown.
