Ethan Hawke's Secret Batman Role: A Surprising Twist for Fans
Prepare to be amazed! Ethan Hawke, the versatile actor who's been captivating audiences for decades, has taken on a role that might just surprise his biggest fans. He's quietly become the voice of Batman in an animated series, and it's a twist that's sure to leave you wanting more.
For those who grew up in the 90s, Michael Keaton's Batman was an icon, and the generation that followed had Christian Bale's portrayal to look up to. But for today's kids, there's a new Batman in town, and it's none other than Ethan Hawke. Yes, you read that right! The actor who's been making waves with his recent projects has been lending his voice to the Caped Crusader in "Batwheels," an animated series that's been flying under the radar.
But here's where it gets controversial... Hawke, who's been in the industry for over 40 years, started voicing Batman in 2022 when "Batwheels" made its debut. The show has since returned for a second season, and it's all about Batman's vehicles coming to life thanks to the Bat-computer. The main character, Bam the Batmobile, is voiced by Jacob Bertrand, but Batman himself makes frequent appearances, with Hawke's voice guiding the talking vehicles on their adventures.
The actor's recent projects have been nothing short of impressive. He's starred in Richard Linklater's "Blue Moon," receiving stellar reviews, and appeared in FX's "The Lowdown." And let's not forget his upcoming role in "The Black Phone 2," which has already received Stephen King's stamp of approval. However, "Batwheels" remains a lesser-known gem in Hawke's portfolio, and it's not just because it's Batman-related.
And this is the part most people miss... Ethan Hawke, who was once offered the role of live-action Batman in the 90s, has finally embraced the character in his own unique way. He turned down the opportunity back then, but now, he's found his perfect fit as the animated Dark Knight.
Season 3 of "Batwheels" is set to premiere in 2025, and Hawke will be returning as Batman. It's an interesting turn of events, considering he was once Joel Schumacher's top choice for "Batman Forever" in 1995. Hawke revealed that he didn't want to be known solely for his Batman role, and now, he's found a way to bring his own style to the character.
In the role, Hawke pays homage to the legendary Kevin Conroy, whose performance in "Batman: The Animated Series" is iconic. Yet, Hawke adds his own twist, bringing a grittier and more gravelly tone to the voice while still delivering kid-friendly humor.
As co-executive producer Michael G. Stern put it, "Ethan brought this exhausted dad energy. He's like a father figure to the Batwheels, even though they can't directly communicate. He has this grumble, which Ethan invented, and it's fantastic."
So, is Ethan Hawke's Batman portrayal a hit or a miss? That's for the fans to decide. Watch "Batwheels" on HBO Max and join the discussion! What do you think of Hawke's take on the Dark Knight?
