Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier has published an article disputing the controversial claim by Bayonetta voice actor Hellena Taylor that she was only offered a flat rate of 4K USD to voice the titular character in Bayonetta 3.
According to Schreier, he had two sources familiar with the negotiations that say the developers of Platinum Games were determined to bring her on to voice the character. She would have been hired for at least five recording sessions which would pay $3-4K USD each This would make her total pay around $15K in total.
“In the case of Bayonetta 3, the developer appeared to be determined to rehire Taylor, according to two people familiar with the negotiations as well as documentation reviewed by Bloomberg. Here’s where their accounts differ: Platinum Games sought to hire Taylor for at least five sessions, each paying $3,000 to $4,000 for four hours in the studio, said the people, who asked not to be identified because they aren’t authorized to discuss private contract negotiations. That would make the total for the game at least $15,000.”
“In response, they said, Taylor asked for a six-figure sum as well as residuals on the game. Platinum declined and, following lengthy negotiations, took auditions for a new actor. Platinum later offered Taylor a cameo in the game for the fee of one session, which she turned down, the people said.”
Schreier has furthered clarified on his Twitter account that he has seen evidence of Taylor being offered at least $15K USD:
As I said in the story and on Twitter, I have seen written evidence of Hellena Taylor being offered at least $15,000 for her work on the game.
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) October 18, 2022
Additionally, two other well-known gaming journalists: VGC’s Andy Robinson and Axios’ Stephen Totilo have corroborated the story, saying that they have also heard Taylor was offered higher pay from reliable sources.
I can corroborate @jasonschreier‘s reporting over the Bayonetta 3 pay dispute. A sad and messy situation.https://t.co/CMTAZkSzKE
— Andy Robinson (@AndyPlaytonic) October 18, 2022
I recently heard from a good source about $15k offer to Taylor (Platinum’s second, higher offer, I believe) but wasn’t able to second source it. Hadn’t heard about the counter. @jasonschreier’s got more detail. https://t.co/67g0pbQUAT
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) October 18, 2022
For her part, Hellena Taylor has responded to Bloomberg saying that the accounts were “an absolute lie” and that Platinum was simply “trying to save their ass and the game”.
At this point in time, Platinum has made no official response to either statement, although the company’s Vice president Hideki Kamiya made a rather volatile statement that Taylor’s claims were a “sad and deplorable lie” on his personal Twitter.
We should note that Schreier has not actually spoken to anyone representing Platinum Games.
To be clear, I have not heard anything from Platinum Games, its executives, or its PR people, and I suspect that, as is usually the case, the company’s management would not be thrilled that people involved have talked to me, no matter how the story makes them look https://t.co/YbZysnlIoa
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) October 18, 2022
At this point, we cannot confirm what the truth of this story truly is however it seems to be more complicated than initially believed. We will keep you updated as more news is unveiled.
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