Actor Matt Ryan, known for voicing the lead in Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, initially thought he was auditioning for a pirate-themed television show—not a blockbuster video game. The deception was part of Ubisoft's secrecy strategy to protect the Assassin's Creed sequel.
Ryan, who played Edward Kenway, told PC Gamer that his agent pitched the role as a pirate TV series. Only after callbacks did the casting director reveal the truth: it was a video game. 'I was over the moon,' Ryan said, especially when he learned it would involve full motion-capture performance.
Background
The actor traveled between the UK and Ubisoft's Montreal studio over a year to record the game. This marked his first—and so far only—video game credit. Before Black Flag, Ryan had primarily worked in TV and film.
After its 2013 release, Black Flag became a fan favorite, and Ryan's portrayal of Edward Kenway gained a dedicated following. He later landed the role of John Constantine in TV adaptations and voiced the character in animated films.
Comic-Con Revelation
Ryan experienced the game's impact firsthand at his first Comic-Con after the game's launch. He saw fans dressed as both Constantine and Edward Kenway. 'They’d be coming to me and quoting their favorite lines,' he recalled, noting that fans sometimes spent a year building Kenway's costume.
That moment made him realize the depth of the fandom. 'I knew it was a good game because I played it, but it was around then that I started getting a sense for the fandom,' he said.
What This Means
Ryan's experience highlights the unique bond between video game actors and players. Unlike stage or screen performances, a game character may be experienced for dozens of hours, creating lasting connections. Ryan reflected: 'With a videogame, they spend a lot of time with you... It's been really nice after all these years to be invited back to this role.'
His story also underscores how the line between gaming and traditional media continues to blur. As Assassin's Creed evolves, Ryan's unsuspecting start as Edward Kenway remains a fascinating footnote in video game history.