Bungie has announced which actor it’s chosen to replace the late Lance Reddick’s iconic role as Commander Zavala in Destiny, tapping long-time Hollywood and video game actor Keith David for the part.
The studio says that David’s voice will be heard in the upcoming Final Shape expansion for Destiny 2 and beyond, though it’s not planning to go back and retroactively update Reddick’s original lines, leaving them in the game as is.
David will take the mantle after Reddick tragically passed away at his home in Los Angeles earlier this year, aged 60. His work as Zavala was beloved, along with his many other contributions to video games, with Bungie paying tribute to the late actor as it introduces his replacement in a blog post announcement (which you can read in full here).
Hello Guardians! Speculate no more; the future of Zavala is nigh.@DestinyTheGame pic.twitter.com/RBq6VZixkK
— KeithDavid (@ImKeithDavid) August 10, 2023
“Earlier this year, we lost Lance Reddick, the English language voice actor of Commander Zavala. The passion and professionalism Lance brought to the role over the last decade was unmistakable and loved by all. Lance’s iconic voice led us through the most intense moments in Destiny’s history and his impact on our Guardians, our community, and Bungie as a whole will never be forgotten,” the post reads.
“Keith David, a prolific actor on the stage and in television, film, and games, will assume the English language voice of Zavala in The Final Shape and beyond. Separately, Lance’s existing lines in-game will remain untouched for the upcoming release.”
David adds, “I am honored to continue the great work of Lance Reddick as Zavala. Lance captured the character’s sense of integrity so wonderfully. It is my intention to continue that work.”
Bungie and David have worked together in the past, on the Halo series, and is also notable for his work on other video game franchises such as Mass Effect and Saints Row.
