The late Lance Reddick had been the voice of Commander Zavala in Destiny ever since the first iteration of that online first-person shooter game launched in September 9, 2014. Alas, Reddick’s passing back on March 17, 2023 means that he can no longer serve in that role. For a while, it seemed like the fate of Zavala was in limbo. Would Bungie just kill him off, or would they voice him anew? Fortunately though, it seems like Bungie has revealed that they are taking the latter option. As for who will voice Zavala now? Enter the legendary Keith David.
Keith David as Commander Zavala: Destiny Details
Bungie has just announced that American actor Keith David will replace the late Lance Reddick as the English language voice of Commander Zavala in Destiny. In fact, David himself has something to say on the subject when he agreed to be the new voice of the Vanguard leader. You can read his words below:
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 though clarifies that all of Lance Reddick’s existing voice lines for Zavala in-game will remain untouched for the upcoming release. However, they also don’t clarify exactly at what point will Reddick’s lines will end, and Keith David’s line will begin. Presumably though, longtime and regular players of Destiny will be able to tell the difference when David’s lines start showing up. After all, Charon’s voice is noticeably different from Goliath.
Keith David: Details
Keith David Williams (born June 4, 1956) is an American actor. We all know the guy from his iconic deep voice, which first made its way to the big screen in the 1979 film Disco Godfather. Sadly, David only played a random club patron, and the film didn’t even credit him for the voice anyways. It wouldn’t be until 3 years later that David would finally land a credited role in The Thing (1982), in which he played chief mechanic Childs.
However, animation fans would best remember Keith David’s deep voice as the voice of Goliath. You know, one of the main characters of the classic Gargoyles cartoon from 1994? One of the first Western animated series to feature a complex, melodramatic storyline? Yeah, those were good times.
It honestly bodes well then that David will be taking over from Lance Reddick as the voice of Zavala. Maybe he might also take over from Reddick as the voice of Sylens from Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West? Well, we can only hope. Tune back in to THS later to find out if this is the case if we do.
