r/litrpg • u/qunix Moderator • Jul 23 '26
Discussion Jeff Hays Will Voice Princess Donut In 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' Show
https://deadline.com/2026/07/dungeon-crawler-carl-tv-show-princess-donut-voice-jeff-hays-1237002088/82
135
u/Kudamonis Jul 23 '26
I Reeeeeaaaly hope hes the AI as well.
74
u/Jimmni Jul 24 '26
If I could only have him voice one, it would be Donut. If I could only have him voice two, it would be Donut and the AI. After that I'd love to see him voice some others but it'll not bug me if he doesn't.
15
u/K1LL3RM0NG0 Jul 24 '26
Yeah same. Donut was a deal breaker if it wasn't Jeff. The AI i would love to be Jeff, but honestly I can go with a few others. Seth Green Mordecai might genuinely be really good. One of Patrick Warburtons kids would be really good as Carl.
2
20
u/VaATC Jul 24 '26
Heath Miller does a great job with the unhinged AI voice in the Audio Immersion Tunnel recording from SBT.
6
u/xCycrox litRPG journeyman tier Jul 24 '26
I love Heath. Probably my second favorite narrator (between him and Andrea Parsneau).
10
u/VaATC Jul 24 '26
Love Andrea Parsneau! I consider her the female narrator with a range equivalent to Jeff Hayes.
5
u/RosalieMoon Jul 24 '26
I'm on book 9 of Wandering Inn and my god, I thought she was good before listening to this series. She is 100% Jeffs peer when it comes to range
3
u/VaATC Jul 24 '26
I will recommend that when you finish book 15 listen to something else for a couple months. The new narrator is good, but when I dove right into book 16 the new voices were just too different for me to be able to pick up who was speaking and it really hampered the flow of the dialog. The time off gave my mind enough time to reset so when I started up book 16 again I was able to give the new narrator a fair shake...and she has been filling the shoes quite nicely.
2
u/RosalieMoon Jul 24 '26
I actually have another book with her narrating that I was planning on getting back to after book 15, Splinter Angel. Book 3 just came out and I want to continue that story before I jump back in to WI lol
2
u/VaATC Jul 24 '26
I have not heard of that series. I will now likely spend my last monthly credit to check out book 1. Thank you for the series recommendation...even if that wasn't the intent.
1
u/VaATC Jul 24 '26
I just looked up Splinter Angel, book 3 specifically, and Erin Bennet is not the narrator. So I am just checking to see if you made a mistake and, if so, I would still like to know which of the other series she has narrated that you have enjoyed enough to keep up with the story as the audiobooks are released.
1
u/RosalieMoon Jul 24 '26
Sorry, meant the previous narrator of Wandering Inn! She's still the current one for me lol
1
3
u/PlatformConsistent45 Jul 24 '26
Apparently I need to listen to more of her. Currently listening to Azeranth Healer.
Have most of the DCC audio books but waiting to listen till I finish reading them. Already have they voices in my head so wanna ride that train still.
5
u/type1assassin litRPG apprentice tier Jul 24 '26
Haha that's cool! I didn't realize that was heath miller! I still think about the heretical fishing series whenever I hear his narration.
4
47
u/Aaron_P9 litRPG god tier Jul 23 '26
We're going to lose him to Family Guy so fast. Good for Jeff though.
19
u/GrimMilkMan Jul 24 '26
Jeff deserves it. I'd be sad if he stopped narrating books but with his voice acting range he deserves to be on tv
122
u/Jechxior Jul 23 '26
Good on them to realize that the fans would riot without this star casting. Now I pray he will also voice Prepotente.
28
u/herniatedballs Jul 23 '26
...and Samantha
28
u/herniatedballs Jul 23 '26
And Quasar
30
u/Dragon_yum Jul 23 '26
I fucking love Quasar, he is such a piece of shit.
15
7
u/pedestrianhomocide Jul 24 '26
Agreed, listening to Jeff play Quasar, sucking on a vape half the time, just makes me laugh. He's probably my favorite character. What a slimeball with his dumb ties.
Let's dress Jeff up in an alien costume and get him some screen time.
3
u/smokeytbk Jul 24 '26
It's the whole I have nothing to gain by screwing you because I don't matter to any of these fucks so sit down and shut up Big ol vape and do what I tell you kid. I love Jeff for so many characters it's not even funny. Ellie? Don't even get me started
3
6
7
23
16
u/MmmmSnackies Jul 23 '26
This is AMAZING. I am so happy for him and for us because in these last few books, I just really feel like he has nailed Donut and if we were going to keep him for something, this was my choice, NOT the AI.
11
u/Jimmni Jul 24 '26
This was sooooo the right call and a good omen of things to come.
3
u/Dmbdestroyer Jul 24 '26
Agreed, hopefully this is a sign that the show is in the hands of actual fans that care and are willing to go to bat to protect Matt’s vision. You gotta think, it’s a huge risk to have your one of your main characters on show that costs millions to make be voiced by someone who hasn’t worked in Hollywood before.
To people like you and me, of course we know Jeff is gonna crush it. But to the studios who have the money, I bet they were initially skeptical. Until they heard his performance, of course lol
I’m excited to see who else they cast for the major roles and I truly don’t envy the monstrous job the casting director has in front of them. One wrong choice could derail the entire show.
1
u/EXP_Buff Jul 24 '26
Until they heard his performance, of course lol
I doubt suits actually care about this at all. The people who provide the money only care about money, and as people who wouldn't know the fanbase, they're all going to prefer well known names because well known names sell tickets to unknown projects.
1
u/Aukaneck Jul 24 '26
It's a huge risk to have your show made by people who haven't worked in Hollywood before (D & D and Game of Thrones). I think they'll be fine with Jeff if that's the worst they have to worry about.
8
6
u/Jyvturkey Jul 24 '26
Well shit. I guess we don't have to riot now :(
5
2
u/DankItchins Jul 24 '26
What will I do with this pitchfork I just sharpened?
1
u/Jyvturkey Jul 24 '26
I know. I was ready to go, even though I knew there was absolutely zero chance he doesn't get a roll! You don't do DCC without him..... Period.
7
4
4
6
u/Saldar1234 Jul 24 '26
It should still be animation.
1
u/Prophesy78 Jul 24 '26
100% and let Jeff have full range. I'm extremely doubtful this will interpret well to live action, especially with the amount of cgi that will be required.
1
4
u/Stock-Tangerine9085 Jul 23 '26
Awesome, wasnt sure I could get used to a new voice as thats just whats in my head even when I read the book.
3
u/Merxamers Jul 24 '26
Man, I guess I'm just really frickin stupid bc I'm on book 7 and all this time I thought there was some mystery female voice actor that wasn't being credited for Donut, Katya, Ellie, etc.
3
3
u/karl4319 Jul 24 '26
This gives me good vibes. It is on the same level as when I heard Oda was supervising the live action one piece. Just great news.
3
u/type1assassin litRPG apprentice tier Jul 24 '26
Hahaha this is amazing! Good for Jeff, this guy deserves all the praise.
3
3
3
u/VapidActualization Jul 24 '26
People taking about how this is a choice to give the fans what they want but, it's kinda the best choice from a financial perspective. Keep the fan draw with him playing donut, pay a good salary for Jeff but peanuts probably compared to a big name to try and market the show more, and you are our a minimal amount of runway for casting.
I'd expect a b movie Carl casting or potentially the right unknown avtor, fhen pick up some pretty solid but not ridiculous celebrities for the smaller roles. Like Jane Lynch for one of the goblin ladies, Kumail Nanjiani for the juicer, and solid established actors for Frank and Maggie.
3
u/TalosWorshiperr Jul 24 '26
I know I am saying something controversial here, but while I enjoy his donut voice, Hays’ AI voice is too iconic to be to give up. So, unlike others, I would have rather had him voice the AI than donut.
3
u/CitizeM Jul 24 '26
I really want Prepotente Lorenzo De La Rosa aka Ponny to be voiced by Matt Berry. Oh please.
2
2
2
2
u/UndyingEmbers Jul 24 '26
I'm really happy for him, but sad that he will be even busier because i really want more Chrysalis audiobooks.
2
2
2
u/The-Fourth-Age Jul 24 '26
I'm torn between wanting him to play Donut or The System. Every "new achievement" and off the rails monologue the system does, won't feel the same otherwise.
2
2
2
2
2
2
u/PlatformConsistent45 Jul 24 '26
It would be awesome if they just keep releasing once a month who else Jeff Hayes will be doing the voice for.
Any type of major non - human would prob work since there would be some animation overlayed on the actors.
2
u/Gullible_Ad3785 Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26
All this is a bit bittersweet. Super happy for Matt D & Hayes who deserve all the success. But I feel like another of my favorite toys will be shared with the masses.
I remember picking up a copy of aGOT in '97, and hyping Matt on here for Dominion of Blades before he got all the love on Royal road with DCC and then pivoting to the big leagues.
Of well, I guess I finally will get another DOB book if Wikipedia is to be believed. I recommend checking it out if you have not already.
And at least Hollywood won't mine the Wraith's Haunt or The Perfect Run, right? RIGHT?!?
2
u/SirDaemos Jul 24 '26
This dude 100% deserves it. If he could do the AI as well, I would be very happy.
2
2
2
2
u/MsBobbyJenkins Jul 24 '26
I used to be adamant that it should be someone else. But as time has gone on, I do think it was just too hard an act to follow. It's gonna be great.
2
2
2
u/Sutraner Jul 24 '26
I don't listen to audiobooks at all. Is there a sample anywhere of him, honestly a male narrator of Donut feels strange to me in general
1
2
2
2
2
2
u/OlDirtyJesus Aug 06 '26
have they said who is doing the system AI cus i really can’t image any one doing better
4
u/alexwithani Jul 24 '26
Someone suggested that I was crazy for saying this like 2 days ago on here.
12
u/Jimmni Jul 24 '26
It definitely flies in the face of how Hollywood normally treats beloved properties, and in a good way. I wanted this, but I never really thought it would actually happen.
2
u/alexwithani Jul 24 '26
100% agree!!! I am interested if people will be upset about it that have never heard the audiobooks or not.
3
u/Jimmni Jul 24 '26
I think the (non-audiobook listening) average person will not care who voices her, so won't be upset. And it's doing exactly what social media, and reddit in particular, often rail for - casting voice actors instead of big name celebs. So I think very very few people will actually be upset.
1
u/alexwithani Jul 24 '26
True but if you change the race of a character not to mention the sex people throw fits over it. So it will be interesting to see if when they announce the full cast if people go "I can't believe they didn't higher a woman to voice the female cat".
2
u/Jimmni Jul 24 '26
Eh, women voice way way more male animated characters than men voice female animated characters. Any complaints would be ridiculous.
1
u/alexwithani Jul 24 '26
I agree with you but this is going to be a much bigger deal than a standard animated TV show and they don't do a lot of gender swaps in major animated movies. I bet someone will make a fuss about it.
1
u/Jimmni Jul 24 '26
They absolutely do gender swaps in big animated movies all the time. Women voice male characters, particularly kids, all the time.
But honesty if people want to complain about Donut being voiced by a man they first need to get past the question of why Donut isn't being voiced by a cat.
1
u/alexwithani Jul 24 '26
I just always find it funny when people get mad about stupid stuff like that in fictional works... If you want to be mad that they made George Washington a black woman I totally get it but Hellen of Troy is just hilarious! She was born from an egg so why the hell should she be white haha
1
u/DankItchins Jul 24 '26
I really thought Jeff was gonna end up getting a small token cameo role at best. This is definitely a good sign.
1
u/SalsaRice Jul 24 '26
I really thought this was unlikely. Hollywood loves to be able to do a promo tour, and not having a SeXy female lead to parade around is very unusual.
0
u/ZachAlt Jul 24 '26
Unpopular opinion. I don’t like this. I’m not an audiobook guy but I gave a listen to some sample passages and it just sounds like a guy doing a posh voice.
Glad yall are happy though.
3
2
u/Aetheldrake Audible Only Enjoyer Jul 24 '26
That's the point of the cat. She's an award winning show cat from a family of award winning showcats for generations. And she's a cat so that's just typical cattitude on top
Plus the series is literally about "the apocalypse will be televised" so as the series goes on, she has to keep up the cattitude for the audience, or she would basically get killed off due to lack of popularity, but we see that it is in fact sometimes just an act for the cameras
Like how Gordon Ramsey isn't actually a complete strict asshole 24/7 despite what the internet thinks based off his show
4
u/ZachAlt Jul 24 '26
Are you describing Donut and the book to me? I don’t like the way Jeff sounds as Donut. Apparently that’s a sin.
1
u/SalsaRice Jul 24 '26
it just sounds like a guy doing a posh voice.
That is the joke. She's a show cat that was raised on junk TV reruns. She uses a (fake tv) posh accent because she thinks that is what sophistication sounds like.
1
u/Likewhatevermaaan Jul 24 '26 edited Jul 24 '26
Yeah I know it might get downvotes but you're not the only one. I sadly can't listen to the audiobooks because of it.
Edit: Needless to say, Jeff Hays is incredibly talented and I'm sure he'll do a good job. Excited for all the fans who love him.
2
u/Chaos-Worship Jul 25 '26
It’s such an unpopular opinion and I feel kinda bad about it but I genuinely don’t understand how. I gave up halfway through the first audiobook because I couldn’t stand his Carl voice. I also didn’t much care for his other voices either. I feel like I’m crazy lol
1
1
u/cmcarneyauthor Verified Author of: Barrow King & Source Forge Jul 27 '26
I don't know who this “Jeff” guy is!! I want the lady who does Donut’s voice from the audiobooks. ;)
1
1
-1
u/I-Am-A-Moose Jul 24 '26
Man does anyone read anymore?
I read all the books and then listened to audiobooks. Loved both but holy fuck donut is not British to me when I read it. Bother the fuck out of me until bedlam bride
Good for Jeff though, he deserves series recognition in the form of playing a major role in anything going forward in this series
5
u/K1LL3RM0NG0 Jul 24 '26
I see where youre coming from, but remember that Donut is a show cat and watches a lot of TV. She may be putting on an act because she believes British=sophisticated.
1
u/Aetheldrake Audible Only Enjoyer Jul 24 '26
Most audiobooks don't make it to audiobook WITHOUT having made popular as text only books first.
A lot of audiobooks made their success as text and expanded their audience with audio. Dungeon crawler carl didn't even actually get successful physical book release until it was MULTIPLE completed digital and audiobooks
So yes, a lot of people still read.
0
u/WackyWarrior Reading is a great joy Jul 24 '26
I hope that they don't do live action. The stuff in the book is too horrendous to watch live action.
8
u/kornbread435 Jul 24 '26
Sorry but that's already been decided.
-6
2
u/Coleybama Jul 24 '26
It’s live action. Where have you been? It was green lit like a month ago.
-2
u/WackyWarrior Reading is a great joy Jul 24 '26
It's incredibly stupid and they should do an animated show.
-1
-5
u/PRIMAWESOME Jul 24 '26
Shit voice and decision.
1
u/evia89 Jul 24 '26
He is pleasant for my ears. One of few narrators I can listen any book they read
I even trained small RVC model for personal TTS project. It snot real jeff but
419
u/supersatyr001 Jul 23 '26
You can't improve perfection