FromSoftware’sShadow of the Erdtree expansion for the acclaimedElden RingSoulslike has had the gaming community in a chokehold for the past month, testing players' techniques and stamina in punishing boss battles. Luckily, the DLC managed to climb tomostly positive reviewson Steam after a wave of disgruntled Tarnished held the release in mixed reviews because of its difficulty.
There’s no questioning the impressive scale of Elden Ring’s dark fantasy world, combined with the rich lore that makes the Lands Between so unique. The story was originally planned to include Shadow of the Erdtree’s narrative, but Messmer’s campaign“didn’t fit”in the end. However, fans eventually got to soak up the separate material, including one actor’s performance that sounded like a real test of endurance.
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Shadow Of The Erdtree’s Richard Lintern Discusses Exhausting Igon Performance
In an interview withIGN, British film, TV, and theater actor, Richard Lintern, known for his roles in Death in Paradise and Silent Witness, spoke at length about his time playing Igon in Shadow of the Erdtree, discussing his first impression of FromSoft president and Elden Ring director Hidetaka Miyazaki, and the grueling but rewarding experience of voicing the character.
Igon is an NPC in Elden Ring’s expansion, first encountered screaming in pain and seeking revenge on the dragon, Bayle the Dread. This character is exclusive to the DLC, having no part in the base game, and his involvement in the story leads to an epic boss battle against Bayle where he’ll assist you in combat.
Before his first meeting with Miyazaki, Lintern had not heard of the director before, but his status in the gaming world was soon made apparent. “When I walked into the room, his status was very clear, very clear immediately… I could see that this was a bigger deal than I’d imagined it was going to be.”
Igon’s most iconic and moving speech in the expansion occurs during the fight against Bayle, saying:
CURSE YOU, BAYLE! I hereby vow! You will rue this day! Behold, a true drake warrior! And I, Igon! Your fears made flesh! Solid of scale you might be, foul dragon, but I will riddle with holes your rotten hide! With a hail of harpoons! With every last drop of my being!
Recalling the command Miyazaki had over the recording room during the actor’s “epic” session and the “attention to detail” given to the character, Lintern thought he’d be done in under an hour considering the few lines Igon has to say, but the actor ending up recording for around five or six hours. “I remember thinking when I left, I’m exhausted. That’s never happened to me before…my voice is wrecked and I’m physically exhausted, and I’m emotionally exhausted as well,” Lintern said.
“I’m standing there with my arms outstretched…I’m giving it as much as I possibly can, vocally, emotionally, neck stretching, vocal cords ripping, everything…then we’d come and do it again with a tinge of sorrow, or with a tinge more rage, or slower, or faster, or whatever it happened to be,” Lintern continued.
Even at the time of the interview, Lintern asked for his character to be explained to him, which is a true testament to his acting abilities to be able to give such a passionate performance without context.
