While fans often focus on the seamless web-swinging and high-octane combat of Insomniac’s Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the reality on the motion capture stage is far less graceful. During a deep-dive interview on TheBestWarGames’s Character Select with Naomi Kyle, Erica Lindbeck—the voice and performance behind the elusive Felicia Hardy, aka Black Cat—broke down the physical hurdles of bringing a master thief to life.
The Left-Handed Struggle
One of the most surprising revelations from the conversation was how basic game development logistics can create a nightmare for performers. Lindbeck, a natural southpaw, found herself at odds with the industry's "right-hand first" mentality. This became particularly evident during the high-stakes sequences in the sequel.
"I have a gripe with the mocap community and here it is," Lindbeck joked. "They block everything right for right-handed people and I’m left-handed. So try holding one of those big, heavy prop guns, but not even with your dominant [hand]. It was a mess. I was so mad."
This physical disconnect wasn't just limited to firearms; it extended to the game’s more mystical elements as well. During the sequence where Black Cat steals a specific magical relic, the technical blocking forced Lindbeck into an awkward position.
"I remember like I’m holding Dr. Strange’s fricking artifact with my right hand... I am not ambidextrous. It was heavy … and I’m mad it’s my weaker arm."
The "Spaghetti Noodle" Effect
Because the motion-capture cameras pick up every subtle tremor and movement, Lindbeck’s struggle with the heavy props is actually immortalized in the game's code. She pointed out that if players look closely at the cinematics, they might see the physical toll the right-handed blocking took on her performance.
"You can almost see it in the mocap. You can see as she shakes it, she’s like, ‘Ugh, your arm’s just like a spaghetti noodle.’ I’m like, that’s your fault. Okay. Consider me."
Despite the "spaghetti noodle" arms and the frustration of non-dominant hand blocking, Lindbeck noted that the challenge is part of the appeal. Unlike the isolation of a recording booth, the mocap stage allows for a level of interaction that brings out the best in her work.
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Booth Reads vs. The Mocap Stage
When Kyle asked Lindbeck to choose between traditional recording and the more physically demanding mocap stage, the actress didn't hesitate. For her, the difficulty is the draw.
"Mocap because it’s more of a challenge for me. It’s a lot," she explained. "When you’re used to being in the booth, whatever thing you’re more used to doing, the other thing is a little harder. So, you know, I want to embrace that which I fear."
It's clear that the life of a world-class cat burglar isn't all sleek suits and clever quips—sometimes it’s just a left-handed actress trying to hold a heavy "magical" prop without her arm giving out.
