The enduring legacy of Batman, a hero who has protected Gotham City for over 80 years across various media, is being honored by Shai Matheson, the voice of the Caped Crusader in the recently released Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. The game itself serves as a bricktastic homage to the character's rich history, filled with Easter eggs and references.
Matheson admitted to Eurogamer that taking on the role of the Dark Knight was the most daunting task he has faced. He approached the character not by imitating previous actors, but by drawing on a lifelong passion for Batman, a sentiment echoed by the developers at TT Games who sought a fresh interpretation of the iconic hero. "They wanted a new story, a retelling. Not the same Batman we've already seen, but in some ways all the Batmans we've seen," Matheson explained.
He acknowledged that each fan has their own definitive Batman, often shaped by their initial exposure to the character. While his own childhood favorite is Michael Keaton's portrayal from "Batman 89," Matheson recognized Kevin Conroy as the voice many consider to be the definitive Batman and Bruce Wayne. Conroy, renowned for his work in the animated series, the Arkham games, and the Injustice fighting series, passed away in 2022.
"He really defined and captured the essence of Batman, and the duality of living as Bruce Wayne," Matheson said of Conroy. "His voice embodied menace and vulnerability, pathos and relatability." Matheson highlighted Conroy's remarkable ability to embody the character across decades and different mediums, stating, "He is vengeance. He is the night. He is Batman."
Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight includes a tribute to Conroy, with Matheson hinting at a couple of ways the game honors him without spoiling the discovery for players. One such nod is a billboard within TT Games' Gotham that advertises a radio show titled 'After Hours With Conroy… The Voice Of Gotham's Night'.
Matheson's personal approach to honoring Conroy and other Batman actors was to continue their legacy rather than replicate it. "There will always be one of each of them. I could never compare, nor would I want to. I can only do my own take, tell the singular story that TT Games wanted to tell, and hope and pray I don't let them and the fans down," he stated. He also mentioned fellow Batman actors Will Arnett and Troy Baker, noting that their Lego Batman is a new interpretation, a "mash up" of various Batman narratives, and expressed that being listed among such talents is an immense honor.
Comedian Matt Berry has also been confirmed as the voice of Bane in Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. The game is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with a future release planned for the Switch 2. The title has been praised for its "endless parade of references and gags that's difficult to resist."