The Real Reason Robert Pattinson Was Forced To Change His Batman Voice
"The Batman" is finally being released on March 4, and there is no one better to play eccentric billionaire Bruce Wayne than Robert Pattinson. Like the character he portrays, Pattinson has been known to lead a double life with the outrageous lies that he tells (via HuffPost). Pattinson's version of Batman is less polished and grungier than previous iterations, and the actor has found ways to make the role his own. He even tried to change a well-known hallmark attributed to the franchise — Batman's voice.
In order to disguise himself from his alter-ego Bruce, "Batman" films have always included some alteration to the character's voice. Be it Christian Bale's trademark gritty roar or Ben Affleck's voice modulator in the DCEU films, changing the voice is an important aspect of the role. Not to be outdone, Pattinson tried to put his own flair on the concept, though it didn't last for very long.
Robert Pattinson is out to do something different
In an attempt to distinguish himself from his predecessors, Pattinson wanted to steer away from what audiences had come to know as Batman and do something "radically different." In an interview on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", he explained how he tried to change the voice, saying that he intended "to do the opposite" of Bale and other Batman actors' trademark "gruff, gravelly" voice. As for what Pattinson decided his take was going to be, he told Kimmel, "I'm going to go really whispery." The actor stated that he attempted to make it work for two weeks before deciding to give up on it.
"It just looked absolutely atrocious," Pattinson said. "And they told me to stop doing it." The actor took his shot and although it didn't immediately hit with the production of "The Batman," he eventually found his stride. After his first attempt at a different voice, he found a happy medium. Pattinson admitted that something seemingly happens when you put on the suit. "You can feel when it feels right," he concluded. After he found his groove, he was able to find the best voice for the film.
Pattinson wasn't the only Batman to try it
To Robert Pattinson's credit, he wasn't that far off the mark with his efforts. With so many versions of Batman, it is only natural that an actor may want to try something new. And he wasn't even the first Batman to try it. When initially trying on the costume, Pattinson learned that Batman veteran Christian Bale had also tried to use a similar intonation for "Batman Begins." Bale portrayed an entirely different Batman. Where Pattinson's Batman is reclusive and moody, Bale emphasized Bruce Wayne's wealth and privilege. But even with this dichotomy, there is a sense of relief that Pattinson's instincts weren't so different from a beloved portrayal.
Bale has been notable for how dark and rough his voice became when portraying the Batman persona. Though he has gotten flak for the voice he puts on, outlets such as Polygon argue that it's important to differentiate Bruce Wayne from Batman. Wayne is a recognizable figure in Gotham, a local celebrity. There is no doubt that there needs to be a change in order to protect his identity. Pattinson felt comforted that not only did Bale try to do a different voice, but you can hear it in a very early teaser trailer for the 2005 film. Judging from reactions to "The Batman" from fans and critics, the young "Batman" actor was able to stick the landing in the end.
Pattinson had some additional ideas
Matt Reeves has been very open about his influences on the film. In an interview for Empire, the director spoke about how one of his main influences was Kurt Cobain. Nirvana's "Something In the Way" is featured heavily in the trailer and there is a grungier aesthetic present in the promotional materials. Even though Pattinson initially thought that was "the opposite of what he imagined Bruce Wayne to be," he started brainstorming on the subject. After his idea of the whispering voice failed, he had some additional input. Pattinson told Jimmy Kimmel that in the first costume meetings he wanted to "go really, really, really Kurt Cobain." He pitched wearing "grungy" attire that was ultimately rejected. Kimmel agreed whole-heartedly.
"You can't have a flannel Batman," the talk show host joked with Pattinson. But the idea of grunge is still present in this iteration of "The Batman." Even without any whispering or flannel, the gritty aspect of the film is present in Batman's muscle car and beat-up costume.