Why Aiden From Monster Hunter: Legends Of The Guild Sounds So Familiar
The "Monster Hunter" video game franchise is looking to take a second crack at films on August 12, courtesy of Netflix. Unlike the previous live action adaptation of the series, "Monster Hunter: Legends of the Guild" will portray a more game-accurate version of the franchise fans know and love. Rather than being set in the modern day, it takes place in the actual in-game universe, and uses animation to better reflect the world and monsters from the source material.
In fact, fans might pay so much attention to how lore-accurate "Legends of the Guild" is that they might miss one of voice acting's biggest stars hidden in plain sight. Portraying the protagonist, an up-and-coming rookie hunter by the name of Aiden, is none other than Dante Basco. If that name doesn't strike a chord, then you might be surprised to learn that Basco likely played a major part in the childhood of you or someone you know. He's appeared in some of the most iconic names in animation and live action, and here is why Dante Basco sounds so familiar.
Dante Basco fought alongside Peter Pan in Hook
Even before Basco really got big through his breakout role in Steven Spielberg's 1991 "Peter Pan" sequel, "Hook," it was clear that he was going places. Already part of a successful family breakdancing troupe called the Street Freaks, Basco first appeared on people's screens in two episodes of the 1988 sitcom, "The Wonder Years." He continued to play various supporting and extra roles over the next few years. Then, he auditioned for the role of Rufio, the new leader of the Lost Boys in "Hook."
According to an interview Basco held with Great Big Story, Spielberg awarded him with the role after a single audition because "[Basco] was the only kid that scared him." Beyond making him a common sight in many households, "Hook" also brought Basco face to face with the late Robin Williams, who played an adult version of Peter Pan. Basco said Williams was "everything that you'd think he'd be," and that "magical stuff happened, always" when Williams was present.
Basco lit a flame in our hearts as Prince Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender
After hooking in audiences as Rufio, Basco made rounds playing a litany of small roles throughout Hollywood. If you watched TV in the late 1990s and early 2000s, you've definitely seen or heard Basco somewhere. The young actor touched everything from "A Goofy Movie" and the "Proud Family" to live-action sitcoms like "Moesha" and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," and that only scratches the surface. Then, everything changed in 2005, when "Avatar: the Last Airbender" released.
Regarded as one of the most highly-praised and influential cartoons of the 2000s, "Avatar" left an indelible mark on many people's childhoods. With Prince Zuko, Basco made major contributions to the show's success as one of its primary (and fan favorite) characters. On top of that, Basco got another opportunity to work alongside a different Hollywood legend in Mark Hamill, who played Zuko's father and the show's primary antagonist, Firelord Ozai.
During one occasion while working with Hamill, Basco experienced some childhood déjà vu while acting out the one-sided duel between teenage Zuko and his father. "We're doing lines like, 'Father! No! Father!'" Basco told Great Big Story. "[I thought] 'Oh my god, I just did the Vader-Luke scene with Mark Hamill.' And I was playing Luke Skywalker, and he was playing Darth Vader. It was the most surreal moment of my career, and it was amazing."
He also voiced the protagonist of American Dragon: Jake Long
The same year that "Avatar the Last Airbender" first released, Basco landed another central role in a popular mid-2000s cartoon. This time, he played the troublesome but well-meaning protagonist of "American Dragon: Jake Long."
This short-lived Disney Channel original seemed like every 10-year-old's fantasy, focusing on a young teen with the ability to transform into a dragon as he protects New York's hidden magical population from monster hunters and the forces of evil. Unfortunately, the show would only run for two seasons. Regardless, it stands as a major chapter in Basco's career, as it is the only major project other than "Legends of the Guild" where he portrays the protagonist.
Don't let the short lifespan of "American Dragon" fool you into thinking Basco was on the downturn, however. Basco continued to be a constant presence in the voice acting world, albeit in a subtle way (via IMDb). He has appeared in every entry of the "Skate" franchise (where he played Shingo), played a small part in "Final Fantasy XIII," and continued to leave his mark on cartoons as characters like Tuck in "Generator Rex," Scorpion in "Ultimate Spider-Man," and Jigme in a kickball-centric episode of "The Boondocks" called "The Red Ball."
Basco relives his Avatar legacy in the Legend of Korra
Seven years after the release of the original "Avatar" series, Basco returned to the franchise in its sequel, "The Legend of Korra." However, instead of stepping into the shoes of an elderly Zuko, Basco portrayed the now-Firelord's beloved grandson, General Iroh. Although very different from Zuko, Iroh would continue to make Basco a common presence within the world of "Avatar." This is especially true throughout the first season, which heavily featured Iroh as leader among the United Forces combating the Equalist threat in Republic City.
Unfortunately, Iroh would eventually fall to the wayside as "Korra" progressed. In the end, Basco only appears in six episodes out of the show's four total seasons. Thankfully, Iroh makes appearances at least once every season, making him a notable character even as new talent took the mainstage in the "Avatar" series. This doesn't seem to upset many fans, however, as many see his portrayal of Zuko as something that could never be topped.
Basco became a part of Star Wars history in Rebels
Remember when Basco felt excited that he ostensibly got to act out one of the most iconic "Star Wars" scenes with one of the series' original stars? Well, Basco tied himself even closer to the series in 2014 when he landed the role of imperial cadet Jai Kell in "Star Wars Rebels." Oddly, Jai Kell's own character arc echoes some of Basco's other iconic roles. Like Zuko, Jai Kell receives his own redemption arc, going from loyal imperialist to a strong ally for the show's heroes.
Jai Kell would mirror Basco's other "Avatar" role in that he only appeared in a handful of episodes across "Star Wars Rebels." By the time "Rebels" ended, however, Basco still wasn't through with the series. Starting in 2018, Basco voiced the narrator for "Star Wars: Galaxy of Adventures."
Since then, Basco hasn't stopped lending his voice to a variety of projects. Always working at his craft, Basco already has three credits to his name in 2021, and many more throughout 2020 and 2019 with shows like "Camp Camp," "We Bare Bears," and the recent Netflix reboot of "Carmen Sandiego." It seems that no matter where you look, Basco always has an influence on the world of voice acting.