Star Wars Outlaws’ release month has finally come, and in a few weeks, gamers will finally experience the Star Wars’ first-ever fully open-world video game. Though its story is relatively new and is set to introduce new characters, it will feature familiar faces, like Qi-ra from Ron Howard’s 2018 Solo: A Star Wars Story. It will also see the work of the voice actor Dee Bradley Baker as the iconic Tatootine crime boss Jabba the Hutt and protagonist Kay Vess’ companion Nix. With the big difference between these two characters, Baker discusses playing their contrasting roles.
In an interview with ComicBook, Baker, known for being the voice of several Star Wars characters from games, movies, and series, talks about his work as Jabba and Nix in Star Wars Outlaws. Though no one between these two is difficult to play, he admits that Kay’s merqaal companion gets rougher to voice when fighting a lot. However, as a longtime Star Wars fan, he couldn’t help but get a little nostalgic about the Hutt gangster.
“I'm an old Star Wars fan, and so I have very near and dear and clear memories of when I saw Jabba the Hutt in his lair way back when he made his first appearance back in the ‘80s,” he said, referring to the character’s Star Wars debut in Richard Marquand’s 1983 Return of the Jedi.
Hence, Baker found it exciting to explore Jabba’s character more and bring this famous mobster's “heft and menace” to life. Jabba's big contrast to Nix made this project more fun for the 61-year-old star. Compared to the thug alien creature, this little critter is light, chipper, and happier.
“Totally as far away from Jabba the Hutt as you can get,” he added.
So, now that he has become the voice of Jabba and Nix in Star Wars Outlaws, Baker expects people will ask him to talk like these two characters to them at conventions. He revealed that fans would usually come to him to perform characters at these events and even ask him how he does Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb.
“But they'll ask me about other creatures too, or they want me to say a quote of that character as well – so I'll see!” he continued. “Maybe they'll have me talk Jabba to them or make some little Nix squeaks.”
What is Star Wars Outlaws about?
Set between the events of Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Star Wars Outlaws will feature the journey of Kay Vess and her little partner-in-crime Nix as they explore the planets across the galaxy. Players can now have the chance to live the life of an outlaw, use blasters in epic fights, and grab stealth and gadgets to fight off enemies.
The game also includes high-reward missions from crime syndicates, which involve stealing valuable goods, infiltrating secret locations, and outwitting enemies. Users can also pilot their own ship, the Trailblazer, and engage in fights against the Empire.
You can read the overview of Star Wars Outlaws below:
Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars ™ game, set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Explore distinct planets across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as Kay Vess, a scoundrel seeking freedom and the means to start a new life, along with her companion Nix. Fight, steal, and outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted.
Star Wars Outlaws will be available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Ubisoft Connect on August 30. Players who opt for the Gold or Ultimate Edition will receive early access on August 27, three days before its release. The game is now available for pre-order, and it comes with two bonuses: a cosmetic pack for the speeder and a cosmetic for the Trailblazer!
Baker has a long history with Star Wars, voicing all the clone troopers in Star Wars: The Clone Wars film and TV series and the Clone Force 99 members and other characters in the recently-concluded Star Wars: The Bad Batch. Hence, playing the characters of Jabba and Nix in Star Wars Outlaws may not be a biggie for him. Just like his other voice-acting projects in the franchise, he will surely nail it.
