Greg Cipes, the voice actor behind Beast Boy in the Teen Titans franchise, has accused Warner Bros of terminating him shortly after he publicly disclosed his Parkinson's disease diagnosis. The 45-year-old actor, who has voiced the character for 24 years, shared the allegations in an Instagram post.
According to Cipes and journalist Emmanuel Newsome, the actor was removed from the role earlier this year. Newsome stated that Cipes alleged discrimination due to his condition and claimed the studio planned to replace him with a mimic. Cipes further wrote that he was fired on Valentine's Day, calling the loss "like a death."
However, a source close to production told The Independent that the recasting was a "creative decision" unrelated to his health. The source added that the studio offered Cipes another role in the series and a development deal, both of which he accepted, and expressed surprise that he omitted these details from his public statements.
Cipes originated Beast Boy in the 2003 Teen Titans series and has since reprised the role in multiple films and the ongoing Teen Titans Go! series, which has been renewed for a tenth season. He also voiced other characters in the franchise.
Beyond Teen Titans, Cipes has lent his voice to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Legend of Korra, and Gravity Falls. Fans have started a petition to "save Beast Boy" in support of the actor.
