Batman: Caped Crusader – New Batman Hamish Linklater on Finding his Batman Voice & Kevin Conry’s Legacy

Batman: Caped Crusader - New Batman Hamish Linklater on Finding his Batman Voice & Kevin Conry's Legacy

As a longtime Batman fan and follower of animated adaptations of the Dark Knight, I’m thrilled to witness Hamish Linklater bring his unique take on Batman to life in “Batman: Caped Crusader.” The new series promises to transport us back to Bruce Timm’s iconic Noir world with a modern edge. However, the absence of Kevin Conroy, who so memorably voiced Batman for generations, is an undeniable reality.


At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Hamish Linklater officially took over the role of Batman in “Batman: Caped Crusader.” This animated series will transport fans back to Bruce Timm’s classic Noir world, blending timeless Batman elements with a contemporary twist. With the passing of iconic voice actor Kevin Conroy, Linklater becomes the new voice for Batman, appealing to a new generation of fans. Known for his roles in “Midnight Mass” and “Legion,” where he played the religious-horror series’ protagonist and an anti-mutant adversary respectively, Linklater made his debut as Batman at Comic-Con. We couldn’t help but ask him about the experience.

How did Hamish Linklater come up with his new Batman voice?

Batman: Caped Crusader - New Batman Hamish Linklater on Finding his Batman Voice & Kevin Conry's Legacy

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but draw parallels between Hamish Linklater’s and the legendary Kevin Conroy’s portrayals of Batman. It’s only natural, given that “Batman: Caped Crusader” seems to carry on the torch from the revered “Batman: The Animated Series.” In fact, Hamish himself acknowledged the profound impact of Kevin’s iconic voice, which is hard to escape.

As someone who grew up with a deep love for the animated show, I can confidently say that my fascination with it and Kevin Conroy, the voice behind Batman, has been a significant part of my life journey. When I prepared for my audition tape, I wasn’t intentionally trying to mimic him, but there was an undeniable influence – a resonance in my mind, a sound that echoed within me. It’s as if that was the voice I unconsciously sought to embody during my performance, and I believe it played a crucial role in shaping my acting career path.

Similar to Conroy, Linklater crafts distinct verbal identities for “Bruce Wayne” and “Batman.” Unlike Conroy’s dynamic portrayal, Linklater’s “Batman” exhibits a more precise and monotonous tone, resulting in a haunting contrast between the human and robotic aspects of his characters. In collaboration with Bruce Timm, Linklater aimed to embody Batman’s essence and gained valuable insights into the character, offering a fresh perspective on this iconic figure.

1. “I don’t fit the mold of a typical method actor; instead, I approach roles from an external perspective. If a performance feels genuine during auditions, I ponder where that authenticity came from. Interestingly, Bruce [Timm] once said something insightful: ‘Batman is the persona, while Bruce Wayne is the mask, the creation.’ This philosophy seems to guide my acting process.”

Batman: Caped Crusader - New Batman Hamish Linklater on Finding his Batman Voice & Kevin Conry's Legacy

the moment when he knew he’d found his Bamtan voice – and all the struggle it took to get there:

As someone who has gone through the grueling process of auditioning for voiceover acting jobs, I can relate to this person’s experience. Despite numerous attempts that didn’t go as planned, I, too, have felt the elation of finally getting a call for an audition that seemed impossible to obtain. The frigid temperatures in Minneapolis, Minnesota, were the least of my concerns as I sat in a freezing car, determined to perfect each and every line.

1. It was mentioned that for an entire generation of Batman enthusiasts, Kevin Conroy has been the voice behind Batman in various animated series, films, video games, audiobooks, and more. After his role as the Caped Crusader, Linklater expressed that Conroy is eager to tackle numerous other Batman-related projects.

Linklater expressed his great pleasure and gratitude for being given the opportunity to contribute in this field, and he is eager to fulfill the task at hand. In fact, he considers it an honor and hopes for more opportunities in the future.

Batman: Caped Crusader premieres on Amazon Prime Video on Thursday, August 1st.

Read More

2024-07-30 00:43