Baldur's Gate 3 features a bear scene directed by actor Neil Newbon
Baldur’s Gate 3 has a bear scene, one that you might have heard about from previews and leaks, and it turns out that the actor who voices druid Astarion, who is featured in the scene, also actually directed it. In a very meta twist, actor Neil Newbon, who voices Astarion, also directs the RPG game, and was both on-set and in the director’s chair for the Baldur’s Gate 3 scene that sees Astarion transform into a bear and get intimate with his lover Halsin.
If you’re not aware, the Baldur’s Gate 3 bear scene features Halsin, a druid who can transform into a bear, in what you might call an intimate moment with their lover. It’s unclear who’s in the bear suit – though my money is on the ever-wonderful Laura Bailey – but the voice actor for Halsin is Dave Jones.
“During the bear shoot, I directed Dave Jones, who is the voice actor for Halsin,” Newbon says. “It was very fucking meta.”
Baldur’s Gate 3 uses intimacy coordinators to ensure that scenes are filmed in a safe space, with Larian Studios including them “early on, and whenever an actor requested one.”
“We had an amazing team and an amazing studio that really made a concerted effort to create a safe space for both the actors and the crew,” Newbon says. “No one was forced to do anything they were uncomfortable with, and we had an amazing intimacy director that made sure everyone felt safe. I knew that regardless of what was asked of me, I was not going to be put in a situation that I felt was exploitative.”
While Astarion is known for his good looks, the internet has taken notice of him – and other characters from the game – in a way that people might describe as “thirsty.” Newbon seems to find this flattering, and explains that he doesn’t mind people focusing on his personal life.
“I don’t think it’s anyone’s business what I do in my private life,” he says. “But if people are interested in the character they love, I’m not going to complain. I consider Astarion to be the community’s character, so it’s nice to see people enjoying him.”
When asked about whether his character gets a bit of an ego trip from being thirsted after by fans, Newbon replies, “Absolutely, I think we all do. But I think it’s a compliment to be desired, if people are entertained by the story and the characters.”
The full interview with Neil Newbon covers more of his role as Astarion, as well as his love for tabletop gaming. You can also check out the rest of our coverage of Baldur’s Gate 3, as well as all the best RPG games you can play right now.
The folks at Larian Studios have put together a “Panel From Hell” release showcase that you can watch on July 7, which includes the controversial bear scene.
