The Animated Series, So Why Do We Only Know Two Names?

More than 500 actors reportedly auditioned to voice Batman in Batman: The Animated Series, yet the identities of most of them remain a mystery. Batman: The Animated Series debuted in 1992 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest animated shows of all time. Created by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, the series redefined Batman for a new generation with its noir-inspired tone, mature storytelling, and iconic voice cast. Despite the show’s enduring legacy and the immense popularity of Kevin Conroy’s portrayal of DC’s Dark Knight, only two other actors are known to have auditioned for the part.

One of the key contributors to Batman: The Animated Series was Andrea Romano, the series’ casting and voice director. Romano’s role was pivotal in assembling the stellar ensemble of actors to bring Gotham’s characters to life. While Romano quickly found the perfect voices for characters like Mark Hamill’s Joker and Arleen Sorkin’s Harley Quinn, casting Batman proved far more challenging. The team was committed to finding an actor who could perfectly embody the duality of Bruce Wayne and Batman, elevating the role from mere voice work to an art form.

Why Casting Batman For The Animated Series Was So Difficult

Batman Was The Last Role To Be Cast In Batman: TAS

The creators of Batman: The Animated Series knew from the outset that casting the right Batman voice was absolutely crucial to the show’s success. Andrea Romano has explained in interviews that the producers wanted someone who could reflect Batman’s gravitas, complexity, and darker nature while still capturing Bruce Wayne’s charm and public persona. According to Romano, “We had to fall in love with the voice,” noting that a character as “awesome,” as Batman needed a voice that matched that iconic status (via JoBlo Superheroes).

This lofty standard led to an exhaustive casting process for Batman: The Animated Series. The team brought in over 500 actors, including seasoned voice performers, film stars, and even complete unknowns, hoping to strike gold. As Timm described, “anyone who walked through the door” was asked if they wanted to audition for Batman. Yet, time after time, the producers were left unsatisfied, though still managed to whittle this list down to 150 potentials.

While they found the perfect fit for nearly every other major character, Batman’s voice remained elusive, creating growing frustration as the series’ production continued. Romano noted that there were several requisites for the perfect Batman, including somebody who could effectively create two distinct voices for each Batman and Bruce Wayne. This was a cornerstone of Batman’s characterization in Batman: The Animated Series, and would become a classic trope of the character, appearing, albeit sometimes unsuccessfully, in every animated and live-action depiction since.

We Only Know Two of the Actors Who Auditioned for the Part

Over 500 Audiioned To Play Batman In TAS

Out of the hundreds of actors who auditioned to play Batman in Batman: TAS, only two have been publicly confirmed: Sam J. Jones and Gil Gerard (via Warner Bros. Entertainment). These names are notable because both were already well-known for portraying superheroes in live-action roles. Sam J. Jones starred as Flash Gordon in the 1980 cult classic Flash Gordon, based on the 1934 comic strip character. Meanwhile, Gil Gerard played the titular character in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979-1981), a science-fiction series based on the 1928 comic strip hero.

Jones and Gerard’s involvement demonstrates the breadth of actors considered for the perfect Batman and how seriously they were taking this search. Despite these notable auditions, neither Jones nor Gerard landed the part, and no additional names from the lengthy audition list have surfaced. This minimal insight into who else auditioned is unusual, especially for a project as significant as Batman: The Animated Series. It’s possible the identities of other candidates are simply not of note to anybody outside the animation industry, and therefore of no interest to the general public.

It could also be that identities were being protected so as not to hurt the feelings of anyone who lost out on such a huge role. It is also very possible that many of these mystery candidates joined the Batman: TAS cast as different characters, as it is noted that many of the cast auditioned for multiple roles or different roles to the one they landed. Alternatively, it may simply reflect the casting team’s desire to maintain a singular focus on Kevin Conroy’s now-legendary performance.

How Did the Batman Team Find Kevin Conroy?

Kevin Conroy Voiced Batman For Over 30 Years

The search for Batman’s voice finally came to an end when Andrea Romano decided to broaden the talent pool by seeking stage actors who could bring a sense of physicality to the role. Kevin Conroy, a Juilliard-trained actor with a background in Shakespeare, was suggested by a casting director friend of Romano’s who knew Conroy was interested in exploring voice work. Despite having no prior experience in animation, Conroy’s natural instincts and theatrical training made an immediate impression.

Conroy’s audition stood out not only for his gritty, gravelly interpretation of Batman, but also for his nuanced take on the duality of Bruce Wayne and Batman. He perfectly used two distinct voices, a creative decision that aligned perfectly with the show’s vision. Conroy further impressed the team by comparing Batman’s story to Shakespeare’s Hamlet, proving early on that he truly grasped the mature themes and sophisticated characterization that exemplify Batman: The Animated Series.

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This was cemented later when Conroy observed that Bruce Wayne was the true mask, while Batman represented the character’s authentic self. This psychological insight resonated deeply with the producers and was the perfect summary of his character, especially in Batman: TAS. Indeed, this trope was later explored in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns during the iconic masquerade ball scene when Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle attend a fancy dress party as themselves. This trope later became an essential aspect of the comic book canon.

Conroy’s interpretation of Batman reflected his classical training and ability to imbue the character with depth and emotional resonance. As Romano later recalled, “We knew from the moment we heard him that he was our Batman.” Conroy’s performance went on to define the character for decades, voicing the hero in numerous animated series, movies, and video games – usually opposite Mark Hamill’s Joker. As such, the gargantuan casting call that took Andrea Romano, Bruce Timm, and their colleagues through hundreds of performers, was vital in establishing the most prolific Batman actor ever.

Sources: JoBlo Superheroes,Warner Bros. Entertainment & The Ship-It Show

Batman: The Animated Series is an award-winning adaptation of the Batman mythos. Remembered for its groundbreaking art style and orchestrated soundtrack, Batman: The Animated Series features the Caped Crusader and countless characters from his rogues’ gallery. Kevin Conroy lent his now-iconic voice to the Dark Knight, with the show also featuring the voice talents of Mark Hamill (as the Joker) Arleen Sorkin (Harley Quinn), John Glover (the Riddler), Ron Perlman (Clayface), and David Warner (Ra’s al Ghul).

Release Date

September 5, 1992

Seasons

4

Network

HBO Max

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