As a die-hard Batman fan who grew up with the legendary Kevin Conroy‘s voice echoing through my speakers during countless viewings of “Batman: The Animated Series,” I was initially skeptical about Hamish Linklater taking on the role for “Batman: Caped Crusader.” But after hearing his heartfelt tribute to Conroy and his insightful approach to the character, I’m genuinely excited about what he brings to the table.
In terms of outstanding Batman voice actors appreciated by fans throughout the years, Kevin Conroy is often considered unrivaled in excellence. This assessment holds up even when compared to live-action Batman films. Now, a fresh actor has stepped into the animated realm, and that’s Hamish Linklater. He voices the character on Batman: Caped Crusader, and he recently shared with TopMob how Conroy’s impact influenced his portrayal of the role.
At the recent San Diego Comic-Con, I was fortunate enough to interview Hamish Linklater. During our chat, he offered intriguing insights into the experience of portraying Batman/Bruce Wayne for Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming Caped Crusader series. Additionally, Linklater reminisced about his audition process.
As a die-hard fan of Batman: The Animated Series, Kevin Conroy’s voice has always echoed like a divine whisper within my gaming heart. However, it had been a while since I last watched the series when I received an audition notice. Sitting in my car in Minneapolis, my phone became my obsession as I repeatedly played clips of his performance, desperate to capture that distinct voice and embody Batman. Yet, as I delved deeper into the recordings, I found myself not so much chasing the role as I was pursuing Kevin Conroy’s voice itself.
The Dark Knight is an 85-year-old iconic comic book hero that isn’t necessarily easy for an actor to bring a fresh approach to, especially considering there are so many other voiceover artists who have defined the part already. Linklater has a long history of working in theater and is known for his role on Netflix’s Midnight Mass. He also recently playing Abraham Lincoln in Manhunt, which was released earlier this year. It’s cool to hear that he’s big fan of the late Kevin Conroy’s performance and interesting to know that Linklater initially found himself doing an impression of his predecessor.
Absolutely, “Caped Crusader” differs significantly from the iconic “Batman: The Animated Series”. It’s often referred to as a “reimagining” of the character, primarily due to its adoption of 1940s noir style to portray Batman, his villains, and associates. Later in our discussion, Linklater discussed how the series’ time period allowed him to develop a unique voice for the cherished masked vigilante, as he put it.
From my perspective as a dedicated gamer, if we’re talking about Bruce Timm, it’s like Bruce Wayne himself is the man, the mortal, while Batman is his creation. Now, imagine a millionaire charmer from the 40s – what would he sound like? And here’s an intriguing thought: Batman, in my mind, was modeled after the on-screen personas of Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant. You’ll catch a hint of this in season two, I promise, but let me tell you, it’s their style he was trying to emulate, or so it seems.
As a gamer putting on the mantle of Batman, I can attest that it’s more about the persona Bruce Wayne adopts when he fights crime. In the context of the Caped Crusader’s epoch and vibe, Hamish Linklater had an opportunity to innovate the character by envisioning who this portrayal of the hero would be influenced by. Having watched all 10 episodes of the new series, I can assure you that Linklater brings a fresh, exhilarating take on both Bruce Wayne and his masked alter ego.
Fans of Batman: The Animated Series might find Caped Crusader particularly appealing, as it seems to have some genetic similarities with its predecessor. Developed by Bruce Timm, who was the head producer of the ’90s series and a co-guide for the DC Animated Universe, along with J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves from The Batman, this show promises a thrilling new chapter in animated Batman storytelling. With Hamish Linklater portraying Batman, there’s an air of anticipation about what he will contribute to the series (which has already been renewed for a second season), making us eager to see where it goes next.
You have the chance to watch the trailer for “Batman: Caped Crusader” right now, and when it officially airs on Thursday, August 1 within this year’s TV lineup (2024), you can enjoy all ten episodes by subscribing to Prime Video.
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2024-07-31 04:07