I’ve been trying to keep my anticipation for Dishonored on a short leash. Even though every new shred of info about Dishonored has put the silliest wicked grin on my face, I’ve been burned before by the hype higher than mountains for Fallout 3, Oblivion, and Skyrim, and been let down each and every time.

The press release Bethesda released just today may be the the thing that finally breaks my resolve.

It’s not even so much the cast by itself, though it really is a spectacular collection of voices they’ve put together here, but the characters they’ve got them playing. Seriously, Carrie Fisher as the city-wide voice of oppression? Susan Sarandon as an insane, blind aristocrat? Brad Dourif as, basically, a steampunk Q? Sign me right the hell up.

They join Chloe Moretz, John Slattery, Michael Madsen, and Lena Headey, with Dexter‘s Daniel Licht doing the score. As long as this isn’t another case of awesome voices in Bethesda games showing up for 30 seconds then disappearing/dying, this bodes very, very well for the strong story focus we’ve seen for the game so far.  I pray on a big bucket of bibles I’m not let down come October 9th. The full press release is below.

BETHESDA SOFTWORKS ANNOUNCES AWARD-WINNING CAST FOR DISHONORED™

August 3, 2012 (Rockville, MD) – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today revealed the all-star cast lending their voices to DishonoredTM, a new first-person action game from Arkane Studios in which the player takes on the role of Corvo, a supernatural assassin driven by revenge. Dishonored will feature an award-winning ensemble including Academy Award® winner, Susan Sarandon (“Thelma & Louise,” “Dead Man Walking”), Golden Globe® winner, Brad Dourif (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest”), Emmy® Award nominees Carrie Fisher (original “Star Wars” trilogy) and John Slattery (“Mad Men”), Michael Madsen (“Thelma & Louise,” “Reservoir Dogs,” “Kill Bill”), and Lena Headey (“300,” “Game of Thrones”),

Susan Sarandon, an Academy Award winner and five-time nominee, will make her videogame debut as the former aristocrat, Granny Rags – an intriguing old blind woman now deranged after years of street life. Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe-winner Brad Dourif takes on the role of the inventor Piero, creator of the iconic mask worn by Corvo as well as a wealth of gadgets Corvo can use. Emmy winner and Hollywood-icon Carrie Fisher can be heard broadcasting government propaganda over loudspeakers throughout the city of Dunwall, where the game is set.

The all-star cast continues with John Slattery (“Mad Men,” “The Adjustment Bureau”) who takes on the role of Admiral Havelock, a Loyalist who helps Corvo on his quest, as well as Michael Madsen who brings his videogame voiceover experience to the role of Daud, a mysterious assassin. Chloë Grace Moretz (“Kick-Ass,” “Hugo”) portrays Young Lady Emily, the Empress’ daughter who is kidnapped after her mother’s death while Lena Headey joins the cast as Calista, Emily’s caretaker. In addition to the star-studded voice cast, Composer Daniel Licht (“Dexter”) lends his musical talents to create the game’s original score. 

“Having such talented actors voice Dishonored’s compelling cast of characters adds a rich, powerful element to the game,” said Raphaël Colantonio, president of Arkane Studios. “We want to draw people into this virtual world and make it feel real. This celebrated cast adds wonderful depth and credibility to the overall Dishonored gameplay experience.”

Dishonored gives players the chance to eliminate enemies using a flexible combat system that combines supernatural abilities and numerous weapons. Pursue targets under the cover of darkness or boldly attack with weapons drawn. The choices you make will control each mission and the game’s ultimate conclusion.

Dishonored is set for release in North American on October 9, 2012 and throughout Europe on October 12, 2012 on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system, and Games for Windows.

Dishonored has been rated M for mature by the ESRB. For more information about Dishonored visit: www.dishonored.com.