Netflix is developing an animated series based on the Netflix has been seriously delving into the world of video game adaptations in recent years, with series like Castlevania, Arcane, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, The Cuphead Show, and more making their way onto the streaming service. More details on some video game adaptations were given at Netflix's Geeked Week '24, including the highly anticipated Splinter Cell: Deathwatch animated series.

The first teaser for Netflix's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is out now, giving a first look at the animated series. Rumors of a partnership between Netflix and Ubisoft that would culminate in a Splinter Cell series have been making the rounds for years now, and the newly announced adaptation of the acclaimed video game series is the culmination of this (via Variety). Although the teaser doesn't show off much, it is enough to get fans excited, with it seeming mostly faithful to the games so far. However, there is one notable exception to this, with Splinter Cell: Deathwatch making a major change to its protagonist.

Liev Schreiber Is Voicing Sam Fisher For Netflix's Splinter Cell Show, Not Michael Ironside

Taking Over For The Original Sam Fisher Voice Actor

As part of the first teaser for Netflix's Splinter Cell: Deathwatch series, it was officially announced that Liev Schreiber will be voicing Sam Fisher in the animated show. Liev Schreiber is a critically acclaimed actor most well-known for starring in the Showtime series Ray Donovan, but he has also starred in a variety of other well-known projects, with him playing Robert Thorn in 2006's The Omen and Sabertooth in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Splinter Cell is only the newest major franchise that Schreiber is ing, although he is replacing the franchise's longtime Sam Fisher actor.

Michael Ironside is the actor who has voiced Sam Fisher in previous versions of Splinter Cell, which is why it is a bit surprising that Liev Schreiber will be taking over the role. Although Ironside is a bit older than he was when he initially took up the role of Sam Fisher, he has voiced him as recently as 2020. Outside of Splinter Cell, Michael Ironside has played big roles in massive movies like Top Gun, Starship Troopers, and Scanners, as well as more recent films like 2021's Nobody and 2023's Late Night with the Devil.

Michael Ironside Voiced Splinter Cell's Sam Fisher For Nearly 20 Years

Starting In The Original Tom Clacny's Splinter Cell

Michael Ironside has been voicing Sam Fisher in the Splinter Cell franchise for nearly 20 years now, making it pretty surprising that Netflix's adaptation decided to recast him. Ironside initially began voicing the character in the franchise's debut game, 2002's Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell. Ironside returned to the role in all six of the console Splinter Cell games, with him playing the character all the way through 2010's Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction. However, this wasn't the last time he voiced the character.

In 2013, the franchise made the surprising decision to recast Sam Fisher for the first time, with actor Eric Johnson playing the character in Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist. However, Michael Ironside again played Sam Fisher only a few years later in 2018's Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands. Michael Ironside's last time playing Sam Fisher as of the writing of this article was in 2020's Tom Clacny's Ghost Recon Breakpoint, which had a tie-in with Splinter Cell. However, Nigel Barber took over the role again for 2023's Captain Laswerhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix.

What Michael Ironside Has Said About Sam Fisher's Recasting

The Original Actor Has Already Discussed The Change

Despite Liev Schreiber's role in Splinter Cell: Deathwatch just being officially announced by Netflix, Michael Ironside already commented on this Splinter Cell recasting in August of 2024. When asked about Netflix's Splinter Cell anime, Ironside stated that Liev Schreiber would be playing Sam Fisher in the series, with him having been recast. It seems as if there are no hard feelings, as Ironside stated that him being 75 means that he is too old to play Sam Fisher, with him being older than the 56-year-old Schreiber. Here are his full comments:

Netflix owns Sam Fisher. They’ve already shot the miniseries, an extended series with Liev Schreiber playing Sam. And I think it’s done and in the can. They also have an anime series with Sam that they’re going to push first. COVID and the SAG strike delayed everything a bit, but no, I’m sure I’ll be 75 in the spring. There’s no way I should be playing Sam Fisher. I can’t be a part of the series because if I open my mouth, they’ll know it’s Sam.

In this quote, Ironside also seemingly confirmed that he will not be playing any other character in Splinter Cell: Deathwatch. According to the actor, his voice is so associated with Sam that it would be strange for fans to hear his voice coming out of another Splinter Cell character's mouth. Thus, it seems like Michael Ironside will have no involvement with Netflix's Splinter Cell anime, which may be sad for some fans.