Indeed. In light of my new, recent project that involves retelling Season 9 of Friendship is Magic in my own way while still retaining elements of the original (which is what I believe a redux is), i’ve also decided to make an official idea come to life. And it involves giving new voices to some of the villains, given how their in-show performances left much to be desired (Tirek was alright until season 9). The last on this list is a special case, however, and i’ll explain as I go over this a bit:
 
Tim Curry as Lord Tirek (based on the Skullmaster performance): This was almost a no-brainer to me. Tim Curry has always had a pageant for playing as devil figures in movies, and cartoons. While bringing over-the-topness to his performances, he ends up still delivering memorable roles noone will ever forget. At the same time, however, he also can give an amazingly creepy, and threatening performance for some of his roles - key example being one of his more underrated performances, Skullmaster. And while re-envisioning Tirek for my series, I ended up basing him on Skullmaster, mostly. Both are ruthless, blood-thirsty warlords who hold an indepth knowledge of dark magics, and are more than willing to kill in order to have their way. They are cunning, and manipulative tricksters who actually know how to play things to their advantage, as soon as an opportunity arises. And they will always renege, or twist any deals they make when it no longer suits their purpose. Neither villain plays second fiddle to anyone else, and are more than willing to bide their time, and carefully plan things out to obtain victory. Thus my Tirek gets Tim Curry.
 
The Pony of Shadows aka Erebus voiced by Crispin Freeman (Based on his role as Alucard): When this guy was introduced into the show, I honestly hoped he’d get someone like Crispin Freeman to play as him. Unfortunately, we got a less than memorable VA (no offense to him, since he suits Stygian nicely) to what should be a memorable villain. So I got an idea to run with: in the new story, not only does the Pony of Shadows receive an actual name, courtesy of Tirek, shred with another G1 villain: he also gets revived by “Grogar’s” power and freed from Limbo with full sentience, physical manifestation without the need for a host, and a new voice to go with it. And Crispin Freeman does sound like a deeper voiced Bill Newton, but with a much more reverberating, serious tone. Or, I should say, a wicked, sinister, sly tone similar to Hellsing Alucard. A predatory fiend who hungers for carnage, and the death of his enemies, yet has an elegance, and debonair swuaveness to him. Meaning he’ll murder you six ways till eternity, but before he does he’ll have a civil conversation with you before he does. And it doesn’t help that Freeman’s voice is so masculine as Alucard, it would certainly give Erebus an impressive vocal, and physical appeal despite being made of living shadow. Ironic, given everyone says something similar about Tim Curry’s character, Hexxus, the spirit of LIVING pollution. And given Tirek, and Erebus’ closely partnered relationship, it might be possible the two might end up being ‘friends with benefits’ - the kind that includes Erebus letting his horned friend use his body to relieve himself when he’s angry, or frustrated. And I mean that in several different ways that I will not say any further, because then i’d have to mark this as explicit. SO! We move on!
 
King Sombra voiced by David Kaye (based on his role as Beast Wars Megatron): What more can i actually say? While both Jim Miller, and Alvin Sanders certainly did their best as the ethereal king of shadows, neither were completely suitable for the role of a fearsome tyrant who plans within plans like a James Bond villain, and has the power to back it up while he laughs maniacally sipping tea, or something ludicrous. David Kaye, however, has had more than enough experience in that field with his roles. None moreso than when he played as the successor of the Decepticon Leader, the Predacon Megatron. Strong, imposing, charismatic, and suave as hell, Megatron pretty much stole the show every time he was on screen. And it’s in part thanks to David giving him his classy, british-esque accent that seriosuly makes him sound like he’s from a Jame’s Bond flick. King Sombra, while depicted as a Dark Lord, could still be given the same kind of appeal as Megatron. After all, despite what I said, there were many times when Megatron was frightening, and menacing. The kind of person who WILL shoot his own soldiers in the back just to prove a point, or even send them to die in his place, with no ounce of remorse. A reason Tirek has interest in the shadow king, and will ensure he remains in HIS service. Wouldn’t want a pony as powerful as him to get wasted by puny ponies, after all. Noooooo.XD
 
 
And finally, the true big bad of the story, but not in the way you think…….
 
Emperor Grogar voiced by John Vickory (Based on his performance as Lucifer Morningstar): I know by now, alot of you have already seen the episode leaks of Season 9’s ending. And even before hand, we had yet to see Grogar in the show do anything actually worthwhile to make his appearance truly memorable. Though considering what we eventually learn, maybe that’s for the best since hyping him up would only even be a waste. So yes, the Grogar who recruits all of the villains together, and keeps expecting them to work together just because he says so when he gives them no clear incentive to, does still exist. HOWEVER……..there is a grand twist to this that will eventually reveal itself in time. And so as to avoid spoiling my plans, all i can say is that there IS a Grogar. A REAL Grogar in the story. One who will ultimately be pulling the strings behind the events to come. One who has great interest in Lord Tirek, and uses him to carry out whatever this growing plan is. And needless to say, everything the show talked about regarding the original/real Grogar’s reign of Darkness over Equestria was an understatement. Grogar is The Devil of Equestria, who pretty much ruled the cosmos by turning it into a living hell. Hordes of abominations, demons, and monsters served under him as he worked to torment, and punish the creatures he despised most: ponies. A flawed creation favored by the Creator of their universe, and he was expected to bow down to them? Not on their lives. Thus, he sided with the antithesis of this “Creator” who represented the universal force known as The Light, and he became the representation of The Darkness. Noone knows how he was defeated, where he went, or how Gusty the Great taking his bewitching bell contributed to it. But what I DO know is that it made Sombra’s reign seem like a daisy field in comparison. The True Grogar is an entity of malice, hatred, and pride who views himself above all others, and will sway the weak-minded into his cause, or corrupt them to strengthen the darkness, and his own power in turn. Thus, I can think of no better voice for such a malicious devil-figure than John Vickory, who played as Lucifer in the Dante’s Inferno game. The True Grogar shares many qualities with Lucifer, including his pride, vanity, cruelty, hatred, savagery, charisma, and devilish charm. Despite how frightening he is, his voice carries a certain sense of seduction, and influence that makes you want to succumb to him. Of course, the minute you do, he’ll kill you and rip apart your soul like it was a ragdoll - if only because it amuses him. Yet as you’ll eventually see, there’s even more to the entity known as “grogar” than anyone could possibly know. I promise you’ll all like it.
 
This meme is owned Sukanar  
MLP:FIM is owned by Lauren Faust, IDW, Hasbro, and DHX  
Mighty Max is owned by Mark Zaslove, Rob Hudnut and Bluebird Toy’s Pollypocket Line  
Hellsing Ultimate is owned by Studio Madhouse, Kouta Hirano, manga entertainment, madman entertainment, and funimation  
Beast Wars Transformers is owned by Hasbro  
Dante’s Inferno is owned by Electronic Arts, Visceral Games, and Behaviour Interactive
 
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