Will Arnett Reveals His Career-Defining Role: Lego Batman
The veteran actor opens up about his most meaningful performance and how voicing the Dark Knight in animated blockbusters changed his perspective on his three-decade career in Hollywood.
Picture this scenario: You're an actor with three decades under your belt, and your first Golden Globe nomination comes not from a dramatic performance or comedy series, but from a podcast you host with your ex-wife. That's exactly where Will Arnett finds himself, and surprisingly, he seems perfectly content with the situation.
Arnett earned his nomination for "SmartLess," the popular podcast he co-hosts alongside his former spouse Amy Poehler from Saturday Night Live and Jason Bateman. While some might find this ironic, Arnett appears genuinely proud of the recognition, especially since he's simultaneously receiving widespread praise for what many consider his strongest acting work to date.
A Dramatic Turn in Cooper's Vision
His latest project, "Is This Thing On?", showcases Arnett in the lead role under Bradley Cooper's direction. The film follows a struggling father navigating divorce who turns to stand-up comedy as his emotional outlet. The collaboration between Arnett and Cooper stems from a friendship that began in 2003 when Poehler introduced them as young performers trying to make their mark in Hollywood.
Critics have lauded both Arnett's dramatic range and Cooper's directorial skills, marking a significant milestone in both their careers. The performance represents a departure from Arnett's typical comedic roles, demonstrating his versatility as a performer.
Master of Family Entertainment
Throughout his two-decade run in mainstream comedy, Arnett has discovered a particular talent for projects that ostensibly target children but captivate adult audiences equally. His filmography includes several standout examples of this crossover appeal, including his work in 2007's "Ratatouille" - which many consider Pixar's finest achievement, surpassing even beloved classics like "Wall-E."
More recently, he contributed his voice to 2022's "Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers," a project that brought together the creative minds behind The Lonely Island, including Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer. However, his most significant contributions to this genre came through The Lego Movie franchise, beginning with the 2014 original, followed by 2017's "The Lego Batman Movie," and the 2019 sequel.
The Dark Knight's Lasting Impact
When asked to reflect on his extensive body of work - which includes leading roles in the critically acclaimed "Bojack Horseman" and the cult favorite "Arrested Development" - Arnett surprised many by selecting his voice work as Batman in The Lego films as his career highlight.
"I have never ranked my own roles before, but it feels right to place these three films at No 1," Arnett shared with The Guardian. "I did not realize what an impact Batman was going to have on my life. The character comes loaded with a bunch of preconceived notions, because he is Batman. He is a superhero with no super powers, so he has got to be quite confident. He's an orphan and an only child, with incredible financial resources to do whatever he wants, and that has got to make him quite selfish. I liked the idea that he does not know how to be part of a team."
The original Lego Movie, featuring an ensemble cast including Will Ferrell, Chris Pratt, and Elizabeth Banks, exceeded all expectations upon release. The film generated nearly $500 million worldwide and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song with "Everything is Awesome." This success paved the way for Arnett's Batman-focused spinoff, which featured Zach Galifianakis and Michael Cera and earned $312 million against an $80 million budget.
"It was fun taking things further in The Lego Batman Movie, to really get into what drove him," Arnett explained. "You know, witnessing his parents' murder, being raised in this incredible mansion, and becoming this night-stalking vigilante who saves the world from terrible criminals, but then comes home and eats a heated-up dinner on his own. What does that do to you?"