John Rhys-Davies plays Randall Graves in Cloud Imperium Games' cinematic sci-fi campaign, Squadron 42. Graves is a former United Empire of Earth (UEE) Navy veteran serving as the chief of security on Archon Base, situated near the Coil in the Odin system. His inclusion marks a major reunion between director Chris Roberts, Rhys-Davies, and co-star Mark Hamill, who previously worked together on the classic Wing Commander games.
Who Is Randall Graves in Squadron 42?
Randall Graves is a complex, morally tested figure within the story of Squadron 42. Prior to the events of the campaign, Graves served in the UEE Navy aboard the escort carrier UEES Chimera (CVE-35) as part of the 153rd Attack Squadron "Red Raiders." He later flew with Squadron 118 alongside Steve "Old Man" Colton, played by Mark Hamill.
Unlike Colton, Graves became disillusioned with military bureaucracy after failing to receive a promotion he felt he had earned. Believing life outside the service would be easier, he retired to "civvy street" and eventually took a security position on Archon Base.
As Rhys-Davies noted in official interviews, civilian life proved far more complicated than Graves anticipated. The post required compromises that eroded his personal principles. His narrative arc questions whether core military virtues—service, sacrifice, and camaraderie—will resurface to offer him redemption, or if his compromises have taken him past the point of return.
The Wing Commander Reunion: Working with Chris Roberts and Mark Hamill
Rhys-Davies' involvement in Squadron 42 builds on a long collaborative history. In the 1990s, Chris Roberts worked with both Rhys-Davies and Mark Hamill on the Wing Commander series, including Wing Commander 3 and Wing Commander IV. Rhys-Davies also voiced Richard Winston Tobias in Roberts' 2003 space combat game, Freelancer.
When Roberts envisioned the cast for Squadron 42, pairing Rhys-Davies and Hamill as old military comrades was an intentional creative decision. Their in-game relationship mirrors their history: Colton stayed in uniform and climbed the ranks to Lieutenant Commander, while Graves left the service to pursue private security.
Reflecting on working together decades later, Rhys-Davies highlighted Hamill's precision and focus, adding that Roberts had evolved from a young, ambitious game producer into a highly seasoned director with extraordinary patience and attention to technical detail.
| Detail | Fact / Specification |
|---|---|
| Character Name | Randall Graves |
| Actor | John Rhys-Davies |
| Current Assignment | Chief of Security, Archon Base |
| Location | Archon Base (near the Coil, Odin system) |
| Former Naval Service | UEES Chimera (CVE-35), Squadron 118, 153rd Attack Squadron |
| Key Relationships | Former squadmate of Lt. Cdr. Steve "Old Man" Colton (Mark Hamill) |
| Director | Chris Roberts |
| Past Collaborations | Wing Commander series, Freelancer |
Performance Capture and Production
Squadron 42 relies on full motion capture and facial capture rather than conventional pre-rendered cinematics or wooden digital rigs. In behind-the-scenes production featurettes, Rhys-Davies described the motion-capture process as technically demanding, famously comparing the head-mounted camera rig to an "iron band" worn around the skull.
The facial capture system uses specialized booms holding small fish-eye cameras directed at the actor's face. While this prevented actors from physically bumping heads or getting too close during intense scenes, Rhys-Davies emphasized that the technology allows genuine real-time emotional interaction. Instead of talking to a blank monitor, actors perform scenes together on stage, capturing subtleties that carry directly into the finished game engine.
Following his initial performance capture sessions at the studio, Rhys-Davies returned in May 2023 for additional filming and pickup sessions to polish character performances.
Release Window and Availability
Squadron 42 is developed by Cloud Imperium Games as a standalone, single-player narrative campaign set within the Star Citizen universe. In late 2023, the studio announced that the game had reached feature completeness and moved into its polish phase. Official storefront pages on Steam list Squadron 42 with a targeted release window of Q2 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which character does John Rhys-Davies play in Squadron 42?
John Rhys-Davies plays Randall Graves, an ex-UEE Navy veteran who currently works as the chief of security aboard Archon Base in the Odin system.
How does Randall Graves know Mark Hamill's character?
Graves previously served alongside Lieutenant Commander Steve "Old Man" Colton in Squadron 118 of the UEE Navy's 2nd Fleet before leaving military service for civilian work.
Did John Rhys-Davies appear in previous Chris Roberts games?
Yes. Rhys-Davies worked on Chris Roberts' Wing Commander series and voiced Richard Winston Tobias in Freelancer.
Did John Rhys-Davies do full performance capture for the game?
Yes. Rhys-Davies performed full-body motion capture and facial performance capture alongside other cast members, returning for additional recording sessions in May 2023.
