Prime Video's Invincible has been through some major changes through the years. Remember, this is the series that had a two-and-a-half year break between its first and second seasons, so fans knew to expect some changes when the show came back. Since then, however, the show has had a pretty stable run, releasing new episodes annually and thrilling fans each and every single time.
It recently returned to TV screens for its heavily-anticipated fourth season, and it too went down well with audiences. However, the series took the new season as an opportunity to announce that one beloved character had been recast. And that surprise didn't go down too well with fans.
Invincible confirms William Clockwell recast in season 4
Invincible fans were completely caught off-guard when the recognizable face of William Clockwell didn't have the character's recognizable voice. A long-time presence on the show, William made his first season 4 appearance in the fourth episode, titled "Hurm", when he finally surfaced in the closing moments as Atom Eve announced her pregnancy to him. But fans were quickly raising their eyebrows over his very different voice.
The reason for this is quite simple: William is now voiced by Brandon Scott Jones, who takes over from Andrew Rannells - the actor who voiced him throughout the first three seasons. While fans spotted the differences immediately, the credits made the recast official, announcing to viewers that Scott Jones is the voice of William going forward.
While recasts aren't new to the world of television - or even Invincible, which has already had some pretty significant recastings this season - fans have taken issue with the fact that William doesn't sound like himself anymore. His warm, enthusiastic voice was part of his character, and those distinct tones are less clear now. There is no denying that Scott Jones does a great job in the role, fans just found the fact that he sounded completely different quite jarring.
One fan, in particular, said that the sudden voice change from William took them out of what was otherwise a very serious scene and that it happened "as soon as William started speaking". Meanwhile, another expressed shock (in all caps!) that the show actually recast such a long-standing, pivotal character without warning.
As for why the character was recast, no official explanation has been given, but it's likely just down to the fact that Rannells had other work commitments and couldn't voice William this time around. A veteran of TV, film, and the stage, Rannells has been incredibly busy within the past few years (particularly around the time that Invincible season 4 was coming together), which most notably involves another stint on Broadway for the stage superstar, as he appeared in All In: Comedy About Love at the Hudson Theater.
His exit from the show is still surprising to fans as William has been a mainstay from the very beginning. Rannells voiced him in the very first episode and continued to bring him to life all throughout the first season (which consisted of almost every episode). He returned for the second and third seasons, with the character's role being gradually reduced due to the show placing more focus on Mark Grayson and his off-world duties as Invincible.
Rumor has it that William will only appear in one episode this season, which might explain why Rannells wasn't able to make it work this time around. Invincible's lack of the character this season is also shaping up to be an issue for fans, who loved seeing William and his friendship with Mark himself throughout the series.
This isn't the only major recast that Invincible fans have to deal with in season 4. Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul had voiced Powerplex in season 3 and was initially expected to reprise the role in the fourth season, too. However, he ultimately revealed that he had decided not to return as he found the role too intense and emotionally harrowing for him to go back to. He did praise everyone involved in the show and wished them all the best. And, as a result of the actor's departure, the Prime Video series will have to find a new Powerplex going forward.
As for William, perhaps if he has a greater role in season 5 Rannells might return (if his busy schedule frees up). For the time being, however, that appears to be the end of his run on the show.