‘I Need a Union Contract to Feel Safe’: Broken Hearted Mega Man Voice Actor Won’t Star in New PS5, PS4 Game

Mega Man is a hugely popular video game character. However, Ben Diskin, who voiced Mega Man in the 2018 game Mega Man 11, will not be returning for the new game, Dual Override.

He shared on BlueSky that he’s devastated by recent events, but firmly stated he won’t return to work without a union agreement.

According to the star, Capcom has offered him the job – albeit without the protection of SAG-AFTRA.

We’ll contact the company for comment.

So, I was promised, in writing, that my voice would never be used to train AI – they said there’d be full protections in place. But now the Japanese publisher behind the game has decided against working with the union, which honestly feels like a huge red flag given that promise.

That’s pushed Diskin into making a difficult decision.

He explained:

I really hope Capcom wouldn’t use AI, but I know most big companies are exploring it to cut costs. With so many layoffs and a lot of instability in the gaming industry, having a union contract would make me feel much more secure about my job.

He questioned why actors would strike for nearly a year to secure protections against the misuse of AI, only to return to work without those protections actually in place.

Diskin clarified he’d accept a lower salary in exchange for the safeguards he’s seeking, emphasizing that his priority wasn’t financial gain.

But ultimately, as things stand right now, he won’t be reprising his role in the upcoming game.

He concluded:

I’m really hoping Mega Man: Dual Override does well – even better than Mega Man 11! The developers are working incredibly hard on it, and I want everyone to enjoy it. I’m sending them all the best, and I wish I could have been part of the development process.

Popular voice actor Steve Blum and others have publicly supported Diskin’s choice, calling Capcom’s decision a significant error.

“I pray they reconsider,” the Cowboy Bebop star said. “Good for you for taking a stand, brother.”

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2026-03-11 20:06