"I refuse to participate": Walton Goggins angers Fallout fans by stating he has no interest in playing the video games

Walton Goggins, one of the leading actors in Amazons Fallout adaptation, revealed that he had no desire to try the video games that shaped the show. He stated that he went into filming without any prior experience with the franchise and has no plans to change that stance. Speaking to PC Gamer ahead of the second seasons release later this month, he expressed his view in direct terms: he has not played the games and does not intend to start.

Why Goggins avoids the Fallout games

In the series, Goggins portrays Cooper Howard, a pre-war film star who becomes an irradiated Ghoul. Although Ghouls have long been part of Fallouts mythology, his character was newly introduced to the universe. Recently, Fallout 76 added playable Ghouls, and a new update introduced a Ghoul designed after Goggins, complete with his own voice work.

Goggins explained that playing the games might distort the way he understands the world his character inhabits. He believed it could cause him to see the setting from an outsiders perspective rather than as someone fully immersed in it. According to him, Cooper Howard and the Ghoul exist as real figures within the shows reality, and entering the games could interfere with that mindset. For him, staying committed to the circumstances presented on set is the best way to honor the universe and its fans.

Other adaptations with similar approaches

As adaptations of popular books and games continue to grow, their creators regularly face challenges balancing source material with creative interpretation. Some titles drift so far from their origins that longtime fans become frustrated, while others adhere closely and earn praise for authenticity. Recent films such as Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, Monster Hunter, and Rampage struggled to satisfy their core audiences, while productions like Detective Pikachu and Sonic the Hedgehog stayed more faithful to their roots.

There are also cases where showrunners advise actors not to engage directly with the source material. For example, during production of The Last of Us, creators Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann asked their cast to avoid playing the game. They wanted performances that stood on their own rather than imitations of the original voice actors.

How fans reacted

Despite the intensity of the Fallout fan community, Gogginss comments were met with humor across social platforms. Many found his steadfast refusal surprisingly entertaining, noting the distinctive energy he brings to both the character and the discussion surrounding the show.

Author: Ethan Caldwell