Voice Actor Samantha Béart Declines Role in Disco Elysium Spiritual Successor

Renowned for her role in Baldur’s Gate 3, voice actor Samantha Béart has publicly announced her decision to decline any involvement in a project claiming to be a spiritual successor to the critically acclaimed Disco Elysium. Béart’s decision comes amidst ongoing controversies surrounding the game’s original developer, ZA/UM.

Disco Elysium, a game celebrated for its innovative storytelling and immersive gameplay, has faced significant turmoil since allegations surfaced in 2022. Martin Luiga, one of ZA/UM’s founders, claimed the studio experienced a hostile takeover, resulting in the ousting of key developers, including lead writer Robert Kurvitz.

Luiga took to Medium to dissolve the ZA/UM "cultural association," stating that the studio no longer adhered to its foundational principles. The fallout from these events has left a lasting impact on the gaming community, with fervent fans demanding that Disco Elysium be returned to its original creators.

In a surprising twist, three different studios—Longdue, Summer Eternal, and Dark Math Games—released teaser trailers for spiritual successors to Disco Elysium simultaneously in late 2024. This unexpected convergence led to legal disputes among the studios, each vying for the mantle of the true successor.

Béart, known for her portrayal of Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3, was approached by one of these studios to lend her voice to their project. However, Béart has taken a firm stand, as expressed in a social media post dated Tuesday, 11 February. She stated unequivocally that she would not participate in any project that excluded Robert Kurvitz, a key creative force behind the original game.

"To the next studio that tries this: If your 'spiritual successor' to Disco Elysium does not involve creator Robert Kurvitz, then save both of us some time and miss me with that casting call," Béart declared on X/Twitter.

Béart’s decision highlights her commitment to maintaining the integrity and creative vision of original creators. She has also addressed criticisms regarding her selective role choices, explaining that her decisions are driven by principles rather than monetary gain.

"You do a couple of hours on each game (Baldur’s Gate 3 is the exception) and you're done," Béart shared. "As far as I'm aware, only Hollywood actors are commanding anything above these minimums—and significantly above them too. You don't get into this for the money."

Reflecting on her upbringing, Béart stated, "I grew up without money. Principles can be expensive, but a good night's sleep is priceless." Her words resonate with those who prioritize artistic integrity over financial incentives.

Béart’s outspoken stance has sparked discussions within the gaming community about the importance of preserving the original vision of beloved games, especially when controversies arise regarding their development. Her decision not to work on a spiritual successor without Kurvitz underscores a broader sentiment within the community to support and respect the creators who have significantly contributed to the art form.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the involved studios will heed the calls from fans and contributors alike to honor the original creators of Disco Elysium. Meanwhile, Samantha Béart continues to advocate for the values she holds dear, using her platform to shed light on the complexities of the industry.

For now, the gaming world watches closely as this story develops, eager to see how the narrative around Disco Elysium’s legacy will evolve and what role, if any, its original creators will play in potential future projects.