- Games
- RPGs
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
How very "whee," indeed
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Sandfall Interactive)
Share
Share by:
- Copy link
- X
It's no secret that we all love the ever-whimsical Esquie from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – but how exactly he was conceived (and which other iconic characters inspired his vision) might just leave you surprised.
Everyone knows the silly Esquie moment – yes, the "whee" and "whoo" one – that became one of the most recognizable lines from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. What exactly inspired the character behind the heavily referenced dialogue, though? As it turns out, a couple of fellow lovable giants did… two Disney giants, to be precise. As actor Maxence Cazorla recalls in a new video with Fall Damage, Esquie's charm started with Mulan's Chien-Po.
"We had to find his voice – and the reference from Guillaume [Broche], the game director, was Chien-Po from Mulan," explains Cazorla. He saw someone else in Esquie, however – someone from another Disney gem. "And I don't know why, but I pictured Baymax from Big Hero 6," as he reveals. "So, I feel like Esquie was somewhere in between because Chien-Po is always like, 'Yes. Oh.'" Baymax balances this wisdom with… well, a bit of a silly vibe.
You may like-
Clair Obscur's Esquie actor "would love" to play the lovable lump once more, but the "story is kind of complete"
-
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 performance actor says Charlie Cox is "generous" to credit him for Game Awards nomination, explains "bringing Gustave to life was a team effort"
-
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 actor Ben Starr can "sympathize" with Daredevil lead Charlie Cox's bewilderment over the French JRPG's success, because he "didn't expect it to be this big" either
Watch On
"Baymax, he was more like, 'Hi, I'm Baymax,' as Cazorla puts it. In other words, Baymax adds a lighthearted flair to Esquie's character, and I'd argue it certainly shines through well. The blend of both the Big Hero 6 giant and Chien-Po makes for a unique figure – one that's now widely regarded as a Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 icon, alongside the likes of Maelle and, of course, primary protagonist Gustave.
Unsurprisingly, comments show fans are happy to hear that the two Disney characters inspired Esquie. One person exclaims, "Now I love thinking of Esquie as a mix of the Mulan character and Baymax!" Another responds, "It made so much sense when he said this. Can't believe I never made the connection." I can definitely see it myself, and I'm glad to learn I'm not alone. Esquie is a solid mix – and as a result, he's undeniably perfect.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Esquie actor "would love" to play the lovable lump once more, but he thinks it’s unlikely because the "story is kind of complete."
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ NewsletterContact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. CATEGORIES PC Gaming Xbox Series X PS5 Platforms Xbox PlayStation
Anna KoselkeSocial Links NavigationStaff WriterAfter spending years with her head in various fantastical realms' clouds, Anna studied English Literature and then Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, going on to specialize in narrative design and video game journalism as a writer. She has written for various publications since her postgraduate studies, including Dexerto, Fanbyte, GameSpot, IGN, PCGamesN, and more. When she's not frantically trying to form words into coherent sentences, she's probably daydreaming about becoming a fairy druid and befriending every animal or she's spending a thousand (more) hours traversing the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3. If you spot her away from her PC, you'll always find Anna with a fantasy book, a handheld video game console of some sort, and a Tamagotchi or two on hand.
Show More CommentsYou must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Logout Read more
Clair Obscur's Esquie actor "would love" to play the lovable lump once more, but the "story is kind of complete"
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 performance actor says Charlie Cox is "generous" to credit him for Game Awards nomination, explains "bringing Gustave to life was a team effort"
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 actor Ben Starr can "sympathize" with Daredevil lead Charlie Cox's bewilderment over the French JRPG's success, because he "didn't expect it to be this big" either
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Verso actor Ben Starr says the RPG had an "unapologetic vision," and there's a reason it's been an unexpected hit: "There's nothing cynical about it"
"'Here is existential pain, live with it'": Expedition 33 actor Ben Starr says the JRPG's powerful story "represents so much of the reason why I continue to play games"
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 star Charlie Cox is right to credit motion capture actor for Gustave, says Red Dead actor, since "it takes a village" just to "depict 1 character!"
Latest in RPGs
Geralt "dies a lot" in the new Witcher game out next month, a "Witcher fan-fiction simulator" from Dandelion the Bard
Fallout New Vegas director says he would let players set “difficulty options however they like”
Studio head behind Fable reboot and Forza Horizon says "there are lots of commonalities" between racing games and RPGs
As GTA 6 looms near Fable's fall release date, Xbox Game Studios head isn't super worried about Rockstar
If a Fallout 3 remaster is happening, I'm hoping it fixes the RPG's biggest level design issue
Fable developer Playground Games first spoke about "doing something" other than Forza Horizon back in 2017
Latest in News
Clair Obscur's Esquie was pitched as being like Mulan's own lovable giant, but his actor saw another character in him
No Rest for the Wicked is the number 1 game on Steam right now thanks to the new co-op update
Helldivers 2's next premium Warbond comes with a reloadable, exploding hammer and potential returning faction
Valves faces $900 million lawsuit, accused of abusing its dominance in PC gaming, as UK court says the case can proceed
After 2 years of campaigning, Stop Killing Games will get its final answer by July
After 30 years, 2 never-before-released Virtual Boy games escape Nintendo jail on Switch, including a canceled F-Zero racer and a unique platformer from the Fire Emblem studio
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Code Vein 2 review: "This vampire take on Elden Ring almost works, but the dungeons themselves lack bite"- 2Looking for a good 2-player board game? This superhero adventure is worth suiting up for
- 3Trails Beyond the Horizon review: "This JRPG's thrilling real-time and turn-based hybrid combat is better balanced than Metaphor ReFantazio's, making up for a poorly paced adventure"
- 4This alt-history board game is still a gold standard for modern strategy
- 5Skate Story review: "A beautiful and unique skateboarding game with great, stylized visuals set in a grungy underworld"
1Return to Silent Hill review: "Neither an impressive adaptation nor coherent enough to act as a standalone film"- 228 Years Later: The Bone Temple review: "The wildest and weirdest entry into the franchise yet"
- 3Avatar: Fire and Ash review: "Still a technical marvel, with some of the year's best action filmmaking"
- 4Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
- 5Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"
1Wonder Man review: "A low-key gem that's up there with the MCU's best"- 2Starfleet Academy review: "It may feel a little different to what we're used to, but this is Star Trek through and through"
- 3A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms review: "This Game of Thrones spin-off is a surprisingly heartfelt and fun return to Westeros"
- 4Stranger Things season 5 finale review: “Shows off both the best and the worst of Hawkins”
- 5Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 review: “All set up for a finale that has so much to deliver”