Ben Diskin, the lead voice actor for Mega Man 11, has announced he will not return for the upcoming game Mega Man: Dual Override. The decision comes after publisher Capcom reportedly offered him the role only under non-union conditions, without the protections of a union contract.
In response, the actors union SAG-AFTRA has issued a "Do Not Work Order" against Mega Man: Dual Override, alleging that Capcom failed to initiate the necessary signatory process to hire unionized talent. The union stated, "Please be advised that the producer of the video game production entitled Mega Man: Dual Override has failed to initiate the signatory process. As such, SAG-AFTRA members are hereby instructed to withhold any acting services or performance of any covered work for this production until further notice from the union." Accepting work on the project could now lead to disciplinary action from the union.
Diskin confirmed his departure in a statement on BlueSky, expressing, "With a broken Blue Bomber heart, I am no longer the voice of Mega Man. I was asked to return for Mega Man: Dual Override, but only on the condition I work without the protections of a union contract." He noted that while Capcom assured him of AI protections to prevent his voice from being used in AI development, the company was firm that the project would not go union. Diskin explained, "Working without a contract I can realistically enforce isn't something I can risk. The only way to enforce non-union contracts like this involves personally taking giant companies like Capcom to court and suing if I thought they'd used AI. I don't have the mental, emotional, or monetary strength to survive a protracted legal fight."
He added that despite his trust in Capcom, the broader trend of corporations adopting generative AI to cut costs made a union contract essential for his security. Diskin also shared his disappointment that Capcom was unwilling to engage with SAG-AFTRA on the issue, stating he would have even considered a lower-budget union contract to resolve it. "It genuinely wasn't about the money for me," he said, reflecting on his honor in voicing Mega Man in Mega Man 11, the best-selling game in the series' history.
This situation unfolds against the backdrop of recent industry-wide labor actions. Last summer, SAG-AFTRA reached a tentative agreement on an interactive media contract, ending nearly a year of strikes that began in July 2024. The strikes were triggered by disputes over AI provisions with major companies like Activision, Disney Character Voices, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Insomniac Games, Take 2 Productions, and WB Games, with over 98% of union members voting to strike. The strikes had visible impacts, such as unvoiced NPCs in games like Destiny 2 and World of Warcraft, and led to recasts in titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 after player concerns.
