Ahead of the 2022 release of Bayonetta 3, Hellena Taylor, the Umbra Witch, called on fans to boycott the game after it was recast with Jennifer Hale and claimed Platinum only offered her $4,000 to record her lines. In a video criticizing the developer, she urged fans to save their money and donate it to several charities instead.
But it turns out she was offered roughly five times what she originally claimed, and the deal fell through when she tried to bargain for a six-figure salary instead. Taylor was adamant that this was an “absolute lie,” but that doesn't matter. In the weeks that followed, she was caught up in a storm of a whole new scandal. Already accused of transphobia and supporting Blue Lives Matter, it turns out that several of the charities she listed are staunchly opposed to abortion.
Taylor lost fan support as soon as she gained it, but the damage was already done. Due to a video criticizing Platinum Games and calling for a boycott, series creator Hideki Kamiya was embroiled in verbal abuse, and Jennifer Hale became the face of controversy. Nonetheless, Hale is keen to reprise the role if there is another sequel.
“I would love to play Bayonetta again,” Hale told GamingBible. “I was definitely thrown under the bus by the whole thing, and I couldn't speak for myself because I was under not one but two NDAs. I was finally able to make a statement and I was grateful and I was able to present the facts.”
I checked everything carefully before auditioning, and I trust the director.
“There were things that were presented as fact that were not true,” Hale said, referring to the claim that Taylor only offered her $4,000. “I would never have taken on any other role. I checked everything thoroughly before auditioning and trusted the director.”
She couldn't reveal any specifics about 2022, but shared the following sentiments in her original statement: “I support the right of every actor to be well paid and have continued to advocate for this for many years. Anyone who knows me or has followed my career will know that I have great respect for my colleagues.”
Thankfully, there is hope in all of this. Despite the firestorm Hale took over Taylor's video, “It was so much fun to play Bayonetta and the community was so welcoming, especially after the fiasco came to light.” So in the end it all leveled out. However, if Bayonetta 4 is approved, Hale won't have to endure the same tumultuous preparations.
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October 28, 2022
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middle
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