Robert Pattinson channels Ren & Stimpy voices for Bong Joon Ho's 'Mickey 17'

Robert Pattinson used voices inspired by 'Ren & Stimpy' to differentiate his characters in 'Mickey 17.'

Robert Pattinson continues to embrace his "weird era" with his latest role in Bong Joon Ho's upcoming sci-fi film Mickey 17. In this new movie, Pattinson plays multiple versions of his character, Mickey—a disposable worker, or "expendable," who is repeatedly cloned each time he dies. The unique twist in Mickey 17 arises when two versions of Mickey, number 17 and 18, coexist, creating both comedic and dramatic tension.

To differentiate between the two Mickeys, Pattinson found inspiration in an unexpected place: the iconic '90s cartoon Ren & Stimpy. Speaking with Empire, he explained how Mickey 17 has a voice similar to Stimpy, while Mickey 18 channels Ren's sharper tones. This creative decision underscores the increasing degradation of Mickey’s self-worth with each reprint. "He’s kind of like a dog with a complete lack of self-worth,” Pattinson shared. "He just keeps showing up, lowering his expectations each time."
 

Initially, Pattinson had planned to base his voices on Jackass stars Steve-O and Johnny Knoxville, but Bong Joon Ho vetoed that idea, finding it too grating. With Bong’s guidance, Pattinson ultimately went with the Ren & Stimpy dynamic, adding a quirky layer to his eccentric performance.

Mickey 17, which is set to release in the UK on January 31, 2025, promises to showcase Pattinson’s trademark oddball energy, and fans are eagerly awaiting to see how his double-act with himself plays out on the big screen.