Since it debuted in 2022, Batwheels has become a favorite among kids as well as kids at heart. The CG-animated Batman preschool series spotlights the adventures of Batman’s sentient super-powered crime-fighting vehicles defending Gotham City. New episodes debuted last weekend with more on the way. The Beat had the pleasure of chatting with actor Jacob Bertrand, the voice of Bam, better known as the Batmobile, the leader of the Batwheels family.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Taimur Dar: Some people more familiar with your on-camera work might not be aware that you’ve been doing animation voiceover since you were a kid in things like Legend of Korra and Tom and Jerry. These days, voice recordings are mostly done solo. But I’d love to know when you started out did you get to record with other actors and observe them at work but was it always by yourself?
Jacob Bertrand: Even when I started I was recording by myself for the majority of the time. More recently they’ve been trying to do group recordings. It’s pretty rare for that stuff to happen and get everyone together. Hopefully I get to in the future.
Dar: Is the voice recording process easier now compared to when you first started?
Bertrand: I think when I first started out I was really nervous doing everything. Now I have more of my bearings about me. I’ve definitely developed more confidence. One think I do miss from voice acting when I was a kid is you don’t have that voice inside your head that says, “That sounded stupid.” Or, “That’s a dumb idea.” You just want to go and try everything. That’ something I miss, having that childlike wonder.
Dar: In my research, I learned that you and your friend and Cobra Kai co-star Xolo Maridueña had a voice recording setup in your closet. Could you talk about the experience?
Bertrand: Oh yeah, it was my closet in one of our old houses that we were living in while we were filming. Both of us are fortunate to be on that show together. We recorded in my closet. I had a little janky recording setup. During COVID times you had to make do.
Dar: Like I said, ensemble recordings rarely happen anymore. I’m sure you’d love to be in the same room with Ethan Hawke, the voice of Batman in Batwheels. In the time since, have you had a chance to meet him in person in any capacity?
Bertrand: I have not had a chance to meet him. It’s funny you were asking how often you get to film in person with people. Hopefully soon that’s kind of the works to get an episode to meet him and be in the same recording studio. That would be super fun to get to do that.
Dar: Among this new batch of episodes is the Batwheels take on The Wizard of Oz. What was the experience doing that episode that was so different than the norm and to play with such a classic and iconic movie?
Bertrand: That episode was so much fun to do. We’re all doing our “normal” characters but we get to add fun little spins on them. Bam is the confident leader but gets to be this unsure guy as Scarecrow but also try to lead. It’s a collab I never thought would happen as a kid. It was just a blast.
Dar: That particular episode features some fun songs. Even the first season showcased some songs. Do you enjoy getting to sing?
Bertrand: Getting to do the songs has been a really fun challenge but also something that does stress me out a little bit. It’s fun to get to do but I definitely feel like I have a lot to work on when it comes to singing and getting my tune right. But I do get to have a lot of fun which is the most important part.
Dar: Favorite version of the Batmobile in any media?
Bertrand: The first Batmobile that I really remember was in The Dark Knight Rises. I remember being a kid and going, “This is amazing!” I thought it was so sick. That’s my gut answer.
Dar: I know you have a little brother which seems fitting since Bam is the older brother of the Batwheels family. Is that experience something you bring to the table when you voice Bam?
Bertrand: I definitely think I try to bring that to the table. You said it right. Bam really is the older brother for a lot of the Batwheels. It’s cool to bring that relationship to life with everyone. He’s just a good loving older brother. Doesn’t mean he’s perfect. He messes up a lot but so does everybody.
Dar: Batman has hands down one of the best if not the best rogues gallery. Any favorite villains or ones you hope to see the Batwheels face?
Bertrand: I will say there are a new batch of episodes that we recorded. I don’t think I’m allowed to say who the villain is but I’m very excited for everyone to see the villain. We record things so far in advance that I’m trying to think what’s been released and what hasn’t. We got to do King Tut as a villain. That was one I thought was fun and cool to do.
Dar: There are so many great side characters in this Batwheels animated series. So many have quickly have my favorites like Kitty and Nightbike. Any supporting characters whose performance you enjoy watching?
Bertrand: You stole it from me! Nightbike! I love the little adlibs that he does. I haven’t met that actor [Nick Fisher] but I’ve heard he’s the most genius kid. He also voices Bane Buggy. That kid is so talented.
Dar: I’d be remiss if I didn’t get in at least one Cobra Kai question. New episodes for this sixth and final season return in November. Anything you can tease to excite fans?
Bertrand: I’d say that this season has the biggest fights by far. Crazy huge fights. The biggest stakes. People are trying to murder each other. Before it felt like, “We’ve got to defend the Valley.” Now it’s like, “I want to physically kill you.”
Dar: Hopefully Hawk will make it out alive.
Bertrand: Fingers crossed! No guarantees!
