Popularly known for voicing the Gotham vigilante in Batman: The Animated Series, Kevin Conroy has become a legendary name in the realm of DC superheroes. With over two decades of experience voicing Batman, Conroy has consistently won over fans with his iconic portrayal. Given his extensive association with the character, it’s no wonder fans often refer to him when new actors step into the role.
When asked about Robert Pattinson’s casting as Bruce Wayne ahead of Matt Reeves’ The Batman
release, Conroy suggested fans not rush to judgment and instead give actors a chance to prove themselves before forming opinions.
Kevin Conroy on Robert Pattinson Taking on the Role of Batman
The esteemed voice actor known for his portrayal of Batman in various animated series and video games, Kevin Conroy weighed in on Robert Pattinson’s casting in the 2022 film The Batman. Similar to many other actors, Pattinson’s casting also received criticism with many arguing that he did not have the potential to embody the Dark Knight.
However, Conroy argued otherwise, stating that “it’s better not to prejudge anyone when they’re cast in iconic roles,” in an interview with ComicBook Debate. He pointed to the example of Ben Affleck’s casting, which was initially met with skepticism but ultimately won over critics with his performance.
And Conroy shared that he felt the same about Pattinson as well. He stated that the Tenet star is a great actor and that “there is a reason he has a career.” He emphasized that he would do something “really interesting” with the character, stating that Batman is a complicated character with many dynamics.
“He has that big heroic strength aspect of him,” he said before adding, “But he’s also a damaged young man underneath all that so anywhere in that range you can cast.” And Conroy was not wrong, as Pattinson indeed delivered a portrayal that delved into the character’s dark and tormented nature, and met with praise for his work in the Oscar-nominated film.
Kevin Conroy’s Advice to Robert Pattinson For Playing Batman
Kevin Conroy also offered words of encouragement and valuable advice to Robert Pattinson for embodying the role of Batman. He advised the 37-year-old actor to not pay too much attention to skeptical remarks, saying, “Don’t listen to the critics.”
He also highlighted the studio’s unique approach in rotating actors in the role of Batman across different cinematic iterations. The Batman: The Animated Series star explained,
“Each film was Michael Keaton then Val Kilmer then George Clooney. It’s been handed one-one-one to the next. Each one to see the person do it, you see how each persona embodies the character differently. What they bring to the same character can have such a profound difference on it.”
The late actor also discussed the varied portrayals of the DC villain Joker. Conroy highlighted that the character has been portrayed by Mark Hamill and Heath Ledger, and both have brought their unique perspective for the character.
“I think Pattinson will probably be great in the role.” he further said, explaining that it could be “different.” Following the success of the 2022 film, Pattinson is set to reprise his role in the sequel, which was initially set to release in October 2025. However, it has recently been delayed by a year to October 2, 2026.
The Batman is available to stream on Max.
