Destiny 2 Dev Confirms Lance Reddick’s Final Recorded Lines as Zavala
The passing of actor Lance Reddick had a profound impact on players of Destiny 2 due to his popularity within the community and his portrayal of Commander Zavala. Thanks to Bungie, players now know his final lines as the Vanguard commander. While Reddick was initially part of an ensemble cast alongside names like Peter Dinklage and Bill Nighy, he became one of the longest-serving actors in the series by the beginning of 2023. It was already known that all of Zavala’s dialogue for the Season of the Deep had been recorded prior to his passing, and his final lines align with the conclusion of the seasonal narrative.
Season of the Deep is the current season of Destiny 2 that brings players back to Titan after receiving a distress call from Deputy Commander Sloan. Their mission is to defend a mysterious creature in the moon’s methane oceans. Deputy Commander Sloan reveals that the creature, Ahsa, can provide valuable information about The Witness and how guardians can navigate the portal it opened on The Traveler. However, the Hive god Xivu Arath is making her presence known in the Sol System as she tries to hinder the Vanguard’s efforts to communicate with Ahsa.
The events culminated in the season’s narrative conclusion when Ahsa revealed that the aid of The Witch Queen, Savathun, is required to pass through The Witness’ portal. Zavala played an integral role in the seasonal finale cutscene, an in-game conversation with Saint-14 and Lord Saladin, and a radio message in the HELM between himself and Sloan. Bungie’s senior narrative designer, Robert Brookes, confirmed that these were the final lines recorded with Lance Reddick.
Reddick’s passing occurred during Season of Defiance, which led many players to wonder how much dialogue he had recorded for future seasons. Bungie’s confirmation that Season of the Deep was his final season as Zavala was bittersweet for the community, as it meant the end of Reddick’s voice for the Titan Vanguard.
Now the question arises whether Bungie will recast the role or find a way to write off Zavala in The Final Shape. The studio has previously recast major characters, such as Mara Junot taking over Gina Torres’ role as the voice of Ikora Rey. Considering the community’s affection for Reddick in Destiny 2, it is expected that reactions to the studio’s decision will be mixed.
Destiny 2 is currently available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
The passing of actor Lance Reddick hit Destiny 2 players hard because of his popularity with the community for his love of the universe and performance as Commander Zavala, and they now know his final lines as the Vanguard commander thanks to Bungie. While Reddick was originally one part of an ensemble cast with names such as Peter Dinklage and Bill Nighy, he became one of the series’ longest-serving actors by the start of 2023. It has been known all of Zavala’s dialogue for Season of the Deep has been in the can, with Reddick recording it before his passing, and his final lines coincide with the end of the seasonal narrative.
Season of the Deep is the current season of Destiny 2bringing players back to Titan after receiving a distress call from Deputy Commander Sloan to help defend a mysterious creature in the moon’s methane oceans. Sloane reveals the creature, Ahsa, can provide useful information about what The Witness is and how guardians may be able to get through the portal it opened on The Traveler. However, the Hive god Xivu Arath is beginning to make her presence in the Sol System known more directly as she attempts to stop the Vanguard’s efforts of communicating with Ahsa.
Events came to a head in the season’s narrative conclusion as Ahsa revealed getting through The Witness’ portal will require the aid of The Witch Queen herself, Savathun. Zavala was present through all this, playing an integral role in the seasonal finale cutscene, an in-game conversation he has with Saint-14 and Lord Saladin, and a radio message in the HELM between himself and Sloane. It was this message that Bungie’s senior narrative designer Robert Brookes confirmed were the final lines he recorded with Lance Reddick.
Reddick’s passing came in the midst of Season of Defiance, causing many players in the community to question how much dialogue he had recorded ahead of time for subsequent seasons. Bungie’s confirmation that Season of the Deep was the final season he was able to record as Zavala was bittersweet for many in the community, as it effectively meant the conclusion of the season marked the end of Reddick voicing the Titan Vanguard.
It now becomes a question of whether Bungie will recast the role or find a way to write off Zavala heading into The Final Shape. The studio hasn’t been shy about recasting major characters, such as Mara Junot stepping in to replace Gina Torres as Ikora Rey’s voice. Given the love for Reddick among the Destiny 2 community, it would not be surprising to see mixed reactions to whatever direction the studio ultimately goes.
Destiny 2 is currently available for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
