Andy Serkis’ praise for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Hollywood’s shift

The film world is increasingly embracing the artistic value of videogames, especially thanks to titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 . Andy Serkis, known for roles in films such as the Lord of the Rings franchise, has voiced his enthusiasm for the game. He discussed this in interviews, highlighting the talent of the development team and the game’s impact on how actors perceive videogames.

Andy Serkis’ role in Clair Obscur

Serkis provided the voice for the character Renoir in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 , which was released in 2025. The game has received major acclaim, including the title of Game of the Year in 2025. During his time in the game industry, Serkis previously played a key role in Heavenly Sword for PlayStation 3, where he portrayed King Bohan.

Art and technology: the evolution of videogames

Serkis says the line between film and videogames is fading. He states: "I don’t see a difference between acting in films and in videogames; you build a character the same way." That underscores the growing respect the gaming industry is earning, both among players and actors. According to Serkis, the visuals and music in Clair Obscur are "impressive" and add to the emotional depth of the story.

A shifting mindset in Hollywood

Actors’ traditional view of videogames is changing. Serkis notes that the new generation of actors, coming out of drama schools, often wants to work in videogames. This marks a significant shift from the earlier attitude, when many actors saw videogames as inferior. That change has been driven in part by the emotional storytelling and artistic quality of newer titles such as The Last of Us and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 .

Timeline

2025: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is released.
2026-05-07: Andy Serkis praises the game and talks about the changing perception in Hollywood.
2026-05-08: Serkis emphasizes that videogame acting is barely any different from film acting.

It’s clear that the gaming industry, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in particular, is playing a major role in improving how videogames are viewed in film and theater circles.

As the boundaries between film and games continue to blur, it seems only a matter of time before actors working in games becomes the norm, with more and more bridges forming between the two industries.