Robert Pattinson has shared insights into the unique accent he uses for his character in the upcoming film Mickey 17. Directed by the acclaimed Bong Joon-ho, Pattinson takes on the role of Mickey Barnes, a hapless wanderer who becomes an "expendable" on a human colony assigned to undertake treacherous missions with little hope of survival. Every time he dies, a new clone is created, with much of the film exploring the stories of his 17th and 18th clones, both of whom are characterized by unusual accents. The film, inspired by Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, also stars Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, and Toni Collette.
During a press event at the Berlin Film Festival, Pattinson revealed that the accent for Mickey’s 17th clone was inspired by Steve Buscemi’s character in the critically acclaimed film Fargo. Early reviews of the sci-fi dark comedy have praised Pattinson for delivering a chaotic yet brilliant performance. Mickey 17 is set to release in theaters on March 7. In Pattinson’s own words:
"I realized today during an interview that while Bong was talking about Mickey 18 and mentioned Peter Stormare from Fargo, I inadvertently channeled Steve Buscemi’s voice for Mickey 17. It was an accidental realization, as I didn’t connect the dots until today."
Inspiration Behind the Accents
In the Coen brothers’ classic Fargo, actors Peter Stormare and Steve Buscemi portray two Minnesotan criminals involved in a failed kidnapping, showcasing a unique dialect native to the Minnesota-North Dakota region. This accent is marked by its distinctive tight vowels and elongated ‘o’ sounds. Pattinson incorporates different vocal traits for the various iterations of Mickey, adding to the complexity of his performance.
Pattinson’s Versatile Accents
This isn’t Pattinson’s first experience using a distinctive accent for a role. In The Devil All the Time (2020), he plays a charismatic yet sinister preacher with an exaggerated Southern accent. Likewise, in The Lighthouse (2019), he adopts a unique New England accent as a disturbed lighthouse keeper. In Good Time (2017), he embraces a pronounced Queens accent, which he picked up while frequenting a tattoo parlor in New York City.
Our Perspective on Pattinson’s Accents
Robert Pattinson’s ability to adopt various accents throughout his film career illustrates his versatility as an actor. While audience and critical responses to his accents have varied, he consistently brings a fresh and distinctive quality to each role. In Mickey 17, Pattinson’s dual portrayal showcases not only his adaptability but also enhances the film’s quirky and darkly comedic undertones, ensuring that each iteration of Mickey resonates as both unique and interconnected.
Source: Variety
