Bayonetta 3 Voice Acting Controversy: Hellena Taylor Clarifies Payment Offers from PlatinumGames

Bayonetta 3, the latest entry in PlatinumGames’ acclaimed action franchise, remains at the center of an ongoing discussion surrounding voice actor compensation.

The situation began when Hellena Taylor, the original voice of the titular character, publicly addressed her departure from the Nintendo Switch exclusive, initially claiming she received what she described as an “insulting offer” for reprising her role.

The controversy escalated after Taylor’s public statements were juxtaposed with subsequent reports from outlets such as Bloomberg, prompting renewed debate over industry standards and transparency in voice acting deals. Earlier statements from Taylor indicated she was offered a total of $4,000 to voice Bayonetta for the third installment.

However, Bloomberg later reported that PlatinumGames’ proposal was between $3,000 and $4,000 per recording session for at least five sessions—a potential total significantly higher than Taylor’s original claim.

According to Bloomberg, Taylor had requested a six-figure payment and residuals, terms which were reportedly declined by the developer.

When asked to respond, Taylor initially denied the details presented in Bloomberg’s coverage. In her most recent statement, released via social media, Taylor has provided further clarification.

She stated that the initial offer for her voice work on Bayonetta 3 actually amounted to $10,000—a revision from her previous comments.

Negotiations reportedly saw the offer increase by an additional $5,000 before ultimately falling through.

"I explained that their first offer was $10,000 total.

I then wrote to Hideki Kamiya, hoping he would understand the value I brought as a creative," Taylor recounted.

She noted that following this correspondence, an extra $5,000 was offered, but she declined the role.

Taylor added that, several months later, she received a separate proposal to record several lines for a flat fee of $4,000.

She emphasized that claims regarding $4,000 per session over multiple sessions were untrue, and also addressed other rumors regarding her payment requests and prior compensation. Taylor has used her platform to raise awareness about wage issues affecting not just the gaming industry, but creative sectors globally.

She urged fans considering a boycott of Bayonetta 3 to redirect their support to charitable organizations, listing several where she has donated her own earnings from conference autograph signings. Despite the controversy, Bayonetta 3 remains scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch, with its launch date confirmed for October 28, 2022.

Jennifer Hale, a renowned voice actress known for her roles in franchises such as Mass Effect and Metroid Prime, will be assuming the role of Bayonetta moving forward. With PlatinumGames and Nintendo having yet to issue further official statements since the renewed discussion, Bayonetta 3 continues to draw attention—not only for its gameplay and story, but also for the vital industry conversation on fair compensation, creative recognition, and transparency in the world of game development.

PlatinumGames Bayonetta Bayonetta 3 Hellena Taylor Jennifer Hale Nintendo Switch