Robert Pattinson reminds audiences that accents are a signature of his performances in 'Mickey 17'

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Often when Robert Pattinson gets a script, one of the first things he does — to the annoyance of his girlfriend, Suki Waterhouse — is try on different voices to bring his character to life.

"I’ve always had that sort of response to a script,” he reflected, but said it became a practice while making his 2014 film, “The Rover.” “I think I feel very uncomfortable just doing something in my own accent. And for a while I felt like just doing an American accent felt like I was acting more.”

It’s unsurprising, then, that when he was offered a starring role in “Mickey 17” — director Bong Joon Ho’s first feature film since his Oscar-winning “Parasite” — Pattinson’s wheels immediately began turning over what his character(s) would sound like.

“Mickey 17,” a Warner Bros. release hitting theaters March 7, tells the story of Mickey Barnes, a naive but sympathetic protagonist who signs up to be an “expendable” in a world that makes use of “human printing” for dangerous tasks and research. When an expendable dies on the job, another version of them is printed with their consciousness and memories of their death intact.

But Mickey’s immortality is threatened when a very different version of him is printed while the 17th Mickey is mistakenly believed to be dead.

“I needed to find an actor who could cover both personalities,” Bong said through a translator, recalling Pattinson’s performances in “The Lighthouse” and “Good Time” as he considered the more sinister and conniving Mickey 18.

The film is based on Edward Ashton's 2022 novel, “Mickey7.” But Pattinson, who read the book before he got the script, said he still can’t believe how different they are from one another. “When I read the script and Bong’s changes to it, I was like, ‘How did you see this tone in this book at all?’ It’s very, very different tonally. But I thought it’s fascinating to have that interpretation,” he said.

Although Pattinson was eager to work with the acclaimed Korean filmmaker, he wasn’t given a lot of initial information about the movie or role. “The only thing I knew was that it was in English and that the part was impossible,” Pattinson said, laughing.

As he eventually gleaned more about the story and his character, ideas for Mickey — and Mickey’s voices — began swirling around in his head.

Pattinson envisioned slapstick montages of his myriad deaths à la “The Tom and Jerry Show” — but that portion of the film turned out to be much darker than he expected. One early idea for voices that Bong shut down was inspired by Steve-O and Johnny Knoxville — Pattinson was a devout “Jackass” fan growing up and even repped a “Jackass” T-shirt to school “almost every day.”

But one initial idea the 38-year-old had did stick. “My first thought, on pretty much the first read of it, was, ‘It’s like Ren and Stimpy,’” he said of the irreverent animated Nickelodeon series from the 90's about a cat and dog.

The dynamic between the two Mickeys is an apt comparison given Ren’s short temper and diabolical nature (Mickey 18), which stands in stark contrast to Stimpy’s naivete (Mickey 17). The similarities in their voices can also be heard.

“I kind of wanted to do this like cartoon character performance. You start out really, really extreme and then kind of gradually tone it down," he said of how he refined the characters. “When directors just let you do stuff, you just come out of the box doing whatever and wherever your instinct is taking you."

In addition to Pattison, the sci-fi comedy boasts an impressive cast, including Mark Ruffalo,Steven Yeun,Toni Collette and Naomi Ackie. Although Ackie, who plays Mickey’s romantic partner in the film, hadn’t worked with Pattinson before, she said they quickly hit it off.

“We’re both quite similar in how we work, which is very chatty up until the point of ‘Action,’ and then we do the acting. And I really enjoy that kind of separation between character and self. I find it quite difficult to hold onto characters once there’s no cameras on,” she said.

But it wasn’t just Pattinson who made the experience a positive one for her. “I’m pretty certain you could ask anyone who works with Bong Joon Ho, ‘Would you go back?’ And they’d be like, ‘I’d pay money.’”

Despite the notoriety the director has reaped since “Parasite” racked up four Oscars in 2020, including best picture and best director, Bong said the experience hasn't changed him.

“It was fun and exciting to meet with all these famous artists and filmmakers during the campaign, but I didn’t feel like I was like on cloud nine. It was actually very mentally and physically exhausting because the campaign is so long and I just remember thinking, ‘Wow, this is really tough,’” he recalled. “We kept just like handing each other vitamins.”

Director Bong Joon-Ho poses for photographers upon arrival at the World premiere for the film 'Mickey 17' on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Director Bong Joon-Ho poses for photographers upon arrival at the World premiere for the film 'Mickey 17' on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Robert Pattinson poses for photographers upon arrival at the World premiere for the film 'Mickey 17' on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Robert Pattinson poses for photographers upon arrival at the World premiere for the film 'Mickey 17' on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in London. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Robert Pattinson poses for photographer at the photo call for the film 'Mickey 17' at the International Film Festival, Berlinale, in Berlin, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Naomi Ackie, left, and Robert Pattinson pose for photographers upon arrival at the World premiere for the film 'Mickey 17' on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, in London. (Photo by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

Robert Pattinson poses for photographer at the photo call for the film 'Mickey 17' at the International Film Festival, Berlinale, in Berlin, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

Actor Robert Pattinson poses for the photographers as he arrives for the screening of the film 'Mickey 17' at the International Film Festival, Berlinale, in Berlin, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christoph Soeder/dpa via AP)

Actor Robert Pattinson, right, and Bong Joon-ho, left, pose for the photographers as they arrive for the screening of the film 'Mickey 17' at the International Film Festival, Berlinale, in Berlin, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christoph Soeder/dpa via AP)

Director Bong Joon-ho poses for the photographers as he arrives for the screening of the film 'Mickey 17' at the International Film Festival, Berlinale, in Berlin, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025. (Christoph Soeder/dpa via AP)

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — This was Lamine Yamal's season.

So it just had to be the teenage phenom who scored the decisive goal to clinch Barcelona's 28th Spanish league title.

And what a goal it was.

The 17-year-old struck the winner in Barcelona's 2-0 victory at crosstown rival Espanyol on Thursday when he slid past two defenders outside the area and whipped one his now trademark left-footed curlers into the corner of the net.

It was a perfect culmination to Yamal's last 10 months.

After helping Spain win the European Championship last summer, Yamal excelled for Barcelona this campaign with his goals, dribbling and playmaking as he confirmed his status as the next big star of global soccer. Along with Raphinha, Pedri and company, and Barcelona was unstoppable.

“I always try my best and today I was lucky it went in,” Yamal said. "I am very happy I could help the team and celebrate it.”

Fermín López ensured the win in stoppage time after Espanyol was reduced to 10 men in the 80th when Leandro Cabrera saw a direct red for hitting Yamal in the stomach while disputing a ball.

Barcelona won the title with two rounds remaining. It completed a domestic double with the Copa del Rey title — treble if you add the Spanish Super Cup — and reached the Champions League semifinals in a fantastic first season for coach Hansi Flick.

Flick’s team virtually ended Madrid’s title defense when it beat its top rival 4-3 on Sunday, making it four of four clasico victories across all competitions this season.

Madrid's victory over Mallorca on Wednesday impeded Barcelona from winning the title without playing. But the Catalan club needed just two points from its final three games of the season.

Barcelona’s players danced briefly on the field to celebrate while sprinklers wet them with water.

“You don’t win a league every day and we have to enjoy this and give it the value it has,” said Barcelona midfielder Pedri after completing his 200th game for his club at age 22.

Barcelona dominated the domestic competitions, winning 15 and drawing two of its league games in 2025. Toss in the cups, and the only tiny blemish was coming oh-so-close to reaching the Champions League final before it fell in gut-wrenching fashion at Inter Milan.

Yamal credited his coach for inspiring a core of players who had won nothing last season under Xavi Hernández.

“We are thankful for what Xavi have us, but it is true that coach (Flick) has given us a new life,” Yamal said.

Looking back on his arrival in the summer, Flick said that he had instilled a “positive” attitude in his team and it had adapted well to his style of play that requires a high defensive line and all-in pressing.

“Barcelona has to win titles and three titles is really great,” Flick said. “I suffered a bit after the game in Milan, but after winning three titles I am very happy and the club is too.”

Espanyol outplayed its wealthier rival in the first half. But Urko González shot wide on a counterattack early on and Javi Puado couldn’t beat Wojciech Szczesny in a one-on-one opportunity.

But Yamal's great shot in the 53rd minute put Barcelona in control. Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García, who is linked to a move to a big club this summer, including Barcelona, dove but couldn’t reach the perfectly placed shot.

On Yamal’s goal, Pedri said: “He scored two goals like that today in practice. We are fortunate to have him on our side.”

Espanyol needed to a good result from the derby as it hopes to stay out of the relegation fight. Espanyol remained in 16th place and five points from the drop zone.

The game was briefly paused by the referee in the opening minutes when a car rammed into a crowd outside the RCDE Stadium, injuring several people. Authorities said it was an accident and not related to the game.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Barcelona fans celebrate in the street after their team won the Spanish La Liga soccer championship in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Barcelona's Hector Fort celebrates at the end of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona players celebrate at the end of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona players celebrate after a goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Espanyol and Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Barcelona's Fermin Lopez, celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal reacts after scoring during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Espanyol and Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Breton)

Espanyol's Antoniu Roca, left, attempts a shot at goal in front of Barcelona's Gerard Martin during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Espanyol's Javi Puado, left, attempts a shot at goal in front of Barcelona's Andreas Christensen during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, left, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal spits out water as he warms up prior to a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal drinks water as he warms up prior to a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, center, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, left, runs with the ball past Espanyol's Carlos Romero during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, left, celebrates with his teammate Alejandro Balde after scoring his side's opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal attempts a shot at goal to scores his side's opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)