Artt Butler has spent the past couple of years playing Shang Tsung in the animated Mortal Kombat Legends franchise, though many of you might know him best for starring as Captain Ackbar in The Clone Wars. Exploring that beloved Rebel's early years, the series put a whole new spin on the future Admiral, much to the delight of Star Wars fans.
Talking to us about getting to head into a Galaxy Far, Far Away, Butler revealed how that compares to the Mortal Kombat franchise and explains why Ackbar was a dream role for him.
"That one…that was 180 degrees in the other direction because I’ve been a Star Wars fan since I was 7. That one I was super familiar with and I was overwhelmed," the actor admits. "I actually got a letter being welcomed to the Star Wars family. I was like, ‘What is happening right now?’ [Laughs] That was crazy and such a weird thing to happen in my life. To be able to play something like that was just incredible."
"That was one I was super familiar with and I couldn’t believe where I was standing when I was doing it. The sessions were super crazy fun. Unlike recording in a little sweaty box in the middle of my house, back then, we would do it radio play style in a giant booth over at LA Studios. Being able to play with the cast and everything was a literal dream come true for me."
Of course, we had to ask whether he'd like to return as Ackbar - or play another character in the Star Wars Universe - and while Butler is clearly open to anything that comes his way, it sounds like he's also beyond grateful for his role in The Clone Wars.
"Put it this way, it’s enough to where I’m like, ‘Okay, my God, that happened…dream come true.’ I’m always dreaming, though," the actor exclaimed. "I’d love to be able to play something with the newer properties. I’d love to, of course. Having had that one opportunity was plenty."
We'll be keeping our fingers crossed for Artt, especially as it's clear his time working on a Star Wars project meant an awful lot to him. He definitely did Ackbar justice, though, and it must be a pretty special feeling to have been even a small part of this beloved franchise, playing a bona fide icon in the process.
While we wait and see what comes next for him, be sure to check out our full interview with Arrt by clicking here.
Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind will be released on Digital platforms and Blu-ray on October 11.