The key cast had to rewrite history with Legend of Vox Machina

Since the web series started in 2012, the actual play phenomenon Important role expanded the world of Exandria, with every subsequent campaign took place later in world history. But with Prime Video’s animated fantasy series, Legend of Vox Machina, the voice actors return to where it all began, with their first group of stray mercenaries from the very first campaign. However, this time, they have a chance to rewrite history and make some adjustments the way it first opened.

“[We’d] Marisha Ray says: the voice of the half-elf Druid Keyleth. “So there are a lot of character building and plot moments that audiences have never seen. So through flashbacks and just opening with the really cool chill, we can get a glimpse behind that curtain.

[Ed. note: This post contains spoilers for the first three episodes of The Legend of Vox Machina season 2]

“The scenes that I love are the moments that I didn’t get to be there in the actual campaign,” adds Ashley Johnson, who voices the compassionate Gnomish rabbi Pike Trickfoot.

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Due to real-life scheduling conflicts, Johnson was absent for several key moments. Thanks to the animated series, the actors were able to rewrite history a bit and bring Pike to life for those scenes. This season’s third episode, “Sink Tomb,” for example, follows the plot points of one of the episodes of the web series that Johnson was unable to attend; now when a trap activates in the strange underwater temple and kills the half-elf ranger Vex’ahlia (Laura Bailey), Pike runs to her side to try to revive her – a remarkable moment absenteeism from the initial run.

The animated series not only gives the actors a chance to dig deeper into their characters’ underlying backstory and explore motivations that aren’t on the table, but it also takes the show outside of their perspective. storyteller, allowing viewers to see Villains colluding and conspiring their own plans. Dungeon Master Matt Mercer is especially excited to see that aspect of the show come to life, as as Dungeon Master he’s played all of the Chroma Conclave’s dragons. However, on the show, while he continues to play the ancient dragon Umbrasyl, the other dragons are voiced by Cree Summers, Lance Reddick, and Liam O’Brien (who also play and voice the character). half-elf villain Vax’ildan). We can now see the behind-the-scenes plots of the dragons, which make epic battles even more exciting. That’s not the only tweak that comes with matches.

“We had to make some of the combat elements that sometimes the dice just can’t make on the table into a much more cinematic, dynamic, and exciting movie for this series,” says Mercer.

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When it comes to the actual web series, the cast now plays a new set of characters dealing with a new set of threats (though their OG makes occasional cameos). Still, there is a special place in their hearts for the characters that started it all, even when recording in a booth with a different script than improvising at the table.

“It’s like going on vacation to visit your family,” explains Mercer. “There is this aspect of these characters that we love so much and have lived with for many, many years. And now we can go back to those old comfortable outfits. We must recall the beginnings of so many friendships that have now become inseparable bonds and breathe new life into them, while paying homage and showing exactly what happened. unfold in many ways and then surprise, even ourselves and others, and hopefully the audience. This is the kind of taking what’s old and making it new again.

While the first session for Vox machine was recorded live, much of the filming for season one had to be done remotely due to the pandemic. When possible, the cast is recorded in pairs or trios, possibly energizing each other and attempting to recreate the experience of sitting at a table and making things right the first time. Going forward, filming together seems like it will happen more often, but the actors say there’s always something really special about the first recording everyone does together.

Sam Riegal as Scanlan: “It was a very uncomfortable moment for us. “We were all together in a booth recording a show that we created and helped write, voice over, and help produce. And we were guided by voice guidance by Mary McGlynn, one of our oldest friends. That is a real question. Is this the truth? kind of moment, the first time in the booth. But every time we perform together, whether it’s on a table, behind some microphones, or on a conference stage, it’s great. It’s great to hang out with these guys. Even after being with them for so many years, we still manage to make each other laugh. It’s a rare friendship that we have. And I hope we will continue to do that forever.”

new episode of Legend of Vox Machina drop on Prime Video on Fridays.