Robert Pattinson has revealed that he’s already settled on a signature voice for his role in The Batman. The character recently appeared in a total of three live-action, big-screen outings - most prominently Batman v Superman and Justice League. Amid the underwhelming reception, Ben Affleck’s portrayal was largely praised. Despite that, the actor stepped away from the role and Warner Bros. opted to return to a younger iteration. After an exhaustive search and a number of screen tests, it was confirmed that Pattinson had landed the coveted role.

The announcement was met with a mix of skepticism and applause. For everybody who couldn’t overlook Pattinson’s role of Edward in the Twilight saga, there were others who thought him the perfect fit after turns in such films as Cosmopolis and 2017’s Good Time. The adulation for the actor’s work looks to increase with the release of Robert Eggers’ psychological horror The Lighthouse. Co-starring Willem Defoe, the film follows two men who work as lighthouse keepers - but slowly begin to unravel as a result of the solitude and when confronted by their worst nightmares. Already met with overwhelmingly positive reviews, there have even been rumblings of an Oscar nomination for Pattinson.

Speaking with Access Hollywood, Pattinson discussed at length that film and such potential accolades. Towards the end of the interview, however, the discussion turned inevitably around to The Batman. After briefly touching on Pattinson’s jawline - at which Pattinson jovially mocked himself - the interviewer questioned whether the actor had practiced his “Batman voice”. Pattinson replied in agreement that Defoe’s voice in The Lighthouse had the kind of gritty aspect he envisioned the Caped Crusader as having. “Willem’s voice in this is quite inspiring for it to be honest,” he said. “It is pretty similar to the voice I’m gonna do… I think Batman has a sort of pirate-y kind of voice…”

Pattinson goes on to self-referentially mock himself, offering a pirate-y intonation. As such, he likely won’t be going full Jack Sparrow but it would fit the character to have a more renegade nature given his unconventional methods at seeking justice. Whatever the case, the Batman voice has become as integral to Batman portrayals as the cape and cowl itself. Each has tended to be as distinct as the actors themselves and as highly-anticipated by fans as the films. They have greatly differed over the years. Christian Bale opted for a guttural growl to hide his true identity. Affleck’s version, meanwhile, used a voice modulator. Based on his comments, it would appear that Pattinson will lean more toward Bale’s method.

Directed by Matt Reeves, the film is rumored to be based on The Long Halloween storyline. Casting on the DC outing has ramped up in recent weeks, with Zoe Kravitz cast as Catwoman and Paul Dano signed on to play The Riddler. That coupled with Pattinson already perfecting his voice (as well as the fact he’s already tried on the suit) is surely a sign that actual shooting on the film is closer than ever. As such, it hopefully won’t be too long before fans will get to see actual footage of The Batman and get to see - and hear - the actor in action.

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Source: Access Hollywood

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