Far Cry is one of Ubisoft’s most iconic gaming franchises and has grown exponentially in the past couple of years. The third major installment featured the bone-chilling performance of Michael Mando as Vaas Montenegro, and the actor revealed key details of how he secured the role that initially never existed until he set foot in the audition room.
The developers of Ubisoft were blown away by his audition as they wrote an original character just for him. Mando recalled the collaborative process and how the developers were generous enough to allow him to take control and ownership of the iconic video game antagonist.
Michael Mando Revealed How Vaas Montenegro Was Conceived During His Audition for Far Cry 3
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Vaas Montenegro the main antagonist of Far Cry 3, is a reckless, violent, psychopath feared by his own men. Image: Ubisoft
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The gaming community had fond memories of playing Far Cry 3 many years ago and Ubisoft kept striking the iron while it was still hot with succeeding installments. The company is actively working on Far Cry 7, which is still a few ways off, and recent leaks made the gaming community worry about potential game mechanics inspired by other successful franchises that may not be compatible with this series.
The third game stood out to the fans the most because of the menacing and disturbing performance of Michael Mando as Vaas Montenegro. The actor recalled how the villain never existed until he entered the room and it organically became one of the most iconic antagonists in video games. The developers not only took his likeness and physical appearance and animated it into the game, but they also allowed Mando to perform motion capture and use his voice essentially making Vaas a perfect copy of the actor.
Vaas didn’t exist when I auditioned for Far Cry 3. It’s true, Ubisoft liked my audition very much that they decided to write a new character for me, and asked me to help them create him.
Mando revealed Vaas was not written in the script before he auditioned. Ubisoft saw the potential in Mando’s performance and rather than let him play a different character, the studio allowed the actor to play himself in a weird yet organic way.
He was based on my liking: I did the full body and face motion capture, as well as the voice – all simultaneously.
It is rare for video game developers to give their actors enough freedom and authority of how they wish to portray their characters. Ubisoft saw something in Mando and wanted that energy reflected in the finished product.
They were such a generous and collaborative team that they even designed his wardrobe and hair from rehearsal sessions where I had dressed up in order to help me get into character.
Normally, animators will not use the likeness of the person performing motion capture and use another face model. In this case, Mando delivered the complete package.
It wasn’t so much that I was given info, but that I was asked the right questions. I was in the motion capture room, and the director at the time, Brent George, asked me a series of questions that I needed to improvise an answer for (while staying in character).
Mando revealed he and the writers pretty much made Vaas on the spot. Without being provided any details about the character’s background and history, Brent George wanted to see what Mando could come up with by staying in character and improvising his answers to the director’s questions.
Despite being the secondary antagonist of Far Cry 3, Vaas had no trouble gaining the attention and favor of the gaming community. Fans were astonished by his weird and unsettling behavior making him a threat to those around him.
Michael Mando Brought the Wild Card Energy That Far Cry 3 Needed
Other actors find it difficult to get into the mindset of their roles, especially with a complex background. Mando and the developers made Vaas collaboratively and the results were promising.
Villains are meant to be hated or feared and somehow Mando achieved that with Vaas while gaining the favor of the fans. It is a testament to his range as an actor.
The Far Cry franchise is renowned for having great antagonists. Vaas came from a long line of great villains and is one of the key aspects of the series.
Ubisoft got lucky with Mando’s performance proving the collaboration between actors and writers can bear great fruit. Perhaps other developers should follow this example.
Is Vaas Montenegro your favorite Far Cry villain? Let us know in the comments section below!
