For years, David Hayter the iconic voice of Solid Snake and Big Boss carried a complicated relationship with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. After being replaced by Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland for the role of Snake, Hayter admitted he never played the game, saying at the time that the experience of being cut out of the series he helped define was simply too painful.

Now, nearly a decade after MGS5’s release, Hayter says he’s reached a point of peace with it. Speaking at a recent fan event, the actor explained that while he once viewed the game as a symbol of “humiliation,” he no longer feels the same way.

“At the time, it was devastating,” Hayter said. “I didn’t just lose a role—I lost the connection with fans that I had built up over 15 years. For a long time, I couldn’t even look at The Phantom Pain without feeling like I’d been erased. But that’s changed. I’ve forgiven the game, and the circumstances around it. It’s still part of the series I love, and I can appreciate what it meant to people.”

Hayter voiced Snake from the original Metal Gear Solid in 1998 through to Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker in 2010. His gravelly performance became synonymous with the character, shaping Snake into one of gaming’s most recognizable protagonists. When Konami announced that Sutherland would take over for MGS5, many fans were shocked, and Hayter himself later described the process as “a humiliation.”

While he may not have been part of The Phantom Pain, Hayter’s legacy within the franchise remains untouchable. His voice is still used in countless fan tributes, parodies, and even crossover appearances, cementing his influence far beyond Kojima’s series.

Interestingly, Hayter has also expressed openness to returning to the role of Snake in the future. With Konami currently revisiting the franchise through Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, many fans still hold out hope that he’ll once again lend his voice to the character who defined his career.

For now, Hayter seems content to leave the bitterness behind. While he still hasn’t played MGS5, he’s no longer avoiding it out of resentment.

“Time gives you perspective,” he said. “I’ll always be Snake in the hearts of the fans, and that’s something no decision can take away.”