Why Mark Hamill Didn’t Voice the Joker in Batman: Arkham Origins
The absence of Mark Hamill as the voice of the Joker in Batman: Arkham Origins was a notable shift for fans of the Arkham series. The simple answer is that Hamill himself did not want to reprise the role at that time, primarily because he was at a point where he wanted to leave the character on a high note after his work on Arkham Asylum. This decision, coupled with the game’s development moving from Rocksteady to WB Games Montreal, and the desire to use a younger-sounding Joker and Batman, led to a completely new voice cast for Arkham Origins.
The Complex Reasons Behind the Voice Change
Hamill’s Desire to Conclude His Joker Journey
Mark Hamill had already established a legendary status as the Joker, starting with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992, and continuing through countless other cartoons and video games. After his performance in Arkham Asylum, he had expressed that he was ready to bring his portrayal of the Joker to a close. He felt he had concluded his journey with the character and wanted to leave on a high note. This decision was a significant factor in him not returning for Arkham City initially, though he did end up doing it. This also influenced him not to return for Arkham Origins. Hamill’s creative decision was to step away, wanting to avoid the character being overexposed or diluted.
Development Shift: Rocksteady to WB Games Montreal
Another vital element contributing to the casting change was the shift in development for Arkham Origins. The Arkham series had been developed by Rocksteady Studios up to that point. However, for Arkham Origins, development duties were transferred to WB Games Montreal. This change in developer meant that the creative team also had the option to make their own choices regarding the game’s direction, including voice casting. It’s worth mentioning that Rocksteady didn’t want Arkham Origins to be included in their legacy and WB chose to respect that wish. This change of hands opened the door to a new interpretation of the characters through different voice actors.
The Decision for a Younger Sound
The storyline of Arkham Origins is set earlier in Batman’s timeline. It portrays a younger Batman in the early days of his vigilante career. This setting meant that developers were looking for voice actors that could capture the youthfulness of both Batman and the Joker. Kevin Conroy, known for his voice of Batman, was considered too mature sounding for the role at that point in Batman’s career. Therefore WB Montreal decided to recast the role with Roger Craig Smith. Similarly, Mark Hamill’s voice was deemed too established, and a younger, more energetic voice was sought for the Joker as well, leading to Troy Baker’s casting.
The Result: A New Joker and Batman
Ultimately, these factors combined to bring Troy Baker in as the new voice of the Joker and Roger Craig Smith as the voice of Batman. While many fans missed Hamill’s iconic performance, Baker delivered his own compelling take on the character. This change did not diminish the game’s quality but provided a fresh perspective, fitting with the prequel narrative and its need to portray the characters in their earlier days. The choice to recast allowed WB Montreal to tell a unique story within the Arkham universe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did they change voice actors for Arkham Origins?
The primary reason was a creative decision to have a younger Batman and Joker, combined with Mark Hamill’s desire to move on from the character. The development also changed from Rocksteady to WB Games Montreal, which resulted in some creative changes. Kevin Conroy was also not used to voice Batman so both character actors were replaced.
Why isn’t Mark Hamill voicing the Joker anymore?
After the passing of his long-time collaborator Kevin Conroy in 2022, Mark Hamill stated that he doesn’t believe he will reprise the role of the Joker. Conroy and Hamill had become iconic as Batman and Joker, and Hamill feels he can’t play the character without Conroy.
Why didn’t Kevin Conroy voice Batman in Arkham Origins?
WB Montreal wanted a younger-sounding voice for Batman to fit the game’s narrative which takes place earlier in Batman’s career. Conroy, while iconic, was viewed as the voice of a more mature, prime Batman. This was done to fit the theme of Arkham Origins which is set earlier.
Who is the voice of the Joker in Arkham Origins?
Troy Baker is the voice of the Joker in Batman: Arkham Origins. He is also known for his performance as Joel in The Last of Us.
Why does Joker look so different in Arkham Origins?
The changes to the Joker’s design were a purely creative decision. WB Games Montreal wanted to give their version of the character a different look. They are not meant to be taken literally, but as creative choices.
What happened to the Arkham side characters?
Most of the side characters are there, and they are explained in the game. Bane, for example, suffers from Titan withdrawal. Some villains such as Scarecrow, were not included, likely not to interfere with their storyline in later games.
Why is Scarecrow not in Arkham Origins?
Scarecrow was not included in Arkham Origins probably due to narrative reasons. It’s believed the developers didn’t want to interfere with his story arc in Arkham Knight.
Is Arkham Origins canon?
Yes, Arkham Origins is considered to be canon within the Arkhamverse. It is often referenced in later games, for example, Firefly mentions the events of Origins happening 10 years prior in Batman Arkham Knight.
Why is Batman Arkham Origins so underrated?
Arkham Origins often gets overlooked because it is a more grounded, personal story of a younger Batman, unlike the blockbuster feel of Arkham City and Arkham Knight. Many fans do appreciate the story of a younger Batman.
Why isn’t Bane in Arkham Knight?
Bane’s absence in Arkham Knight is explained through an audio log in the GCPD Evidence room. It reveals he disappeared after the closure of Arkham City and was struggling with Titan withdrawal.
Why is Gotham empty in Arkham Origins?
Gotham is not empty in Arkham Origins. It is an open world where citizens are around just not as many as you see in later games. In Arkham Asylum, the game took place in the asylum. In City, it was a giant open-air prison and in Knight, Gotham was evacuated, thus, it is empty.
How old is the Joker in Suicide Squad?
Joker is portrayed as being 67 years old in The Suicide Squad, however this is just the character’s age within that universe.
Why is Jared Leto not the Joker anymore?
James Gunn explained that the Joker was not included in The Suicide Squad as there was no place for him in the film’s narrative. It was not based on the poor reception of Jared Leto’s portrayal of the Joker.
Will Mark Hamill ever play Luke Skywalker again?
Mark Hamill has stated he doesn’t see a reason to play Luke Skywalker again. He has said the franchise does not need Luke Skywalker anymore, as they have many more stories to tell.
Who voiced Black Mask in Arkham Origins?
Brian Keith Bloom voiced Black Mask in Batman: Arkham Origins. He also returned to voice the character in the Red Hood Story Pack of Batman: Arkham Knight.