Thanks to Variety, the news is out! Robert Pattinson will be our new Batman in the upcoming film from director Matt Reeves. Originally this was nothing more but a mere rumor. People were taking this with a grain of salt at best. One cannot deny the idea of casting Robert Pattison for the role of Batman as quite unorthodox.
Looking Back at The History Of Batman Casting Prior To Robert Pattinson
Already this casting is creating a surge of hate, naysayers, critics and sadly… petitioners. History does not repeat itself as many subscribe to, but it certainly does rhyme at times. Warner Bros. Studios receives 50,000 protest letters. The director states “I think they thought we were going to make it like the 1960s TV series and make it campy…” the screenwriter, Bob Kane, executive producer, and Batman fan Michael Uslan are having doubts. Wait, this is 1988, this is Michael Keaton they are protesting and doubting! In the end, Michael Keaton did a good job and critics were pleased. Some Bat-fans who grew up during this age, still hold him up as their Batman.
A generation later we have online petitions, the idea that the new actor isn’t considered intimidating enough and people cannot get over his previous comic-book movie, which was to many fans’ distaste. Why that’s Ben Affleck! Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice did churn out many negative reviews and news but almost universally people praised Ben Affleck’s Batman. Some audiences felt he even puts Christian Bale’s Batman to shame. Many fans are still upset that Ben Affleck’s Dark Knight is not returning for the role. May I remind you they were upset long before this news of Robert Pattinson.
Ignorance of the Audiences To Robert Pattinson
People are too hung up on these actors’ previous films. At the time Micheal Keaton was seen as Beetlejuice and Mr. Mom, silly over-the-top, comedy films. Later on, he has many dramas that he turns in great performances like The Founder, Birdman or as the terrifying Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Whereas Ben Affleck, people remember from those silly Kevin Smith films or as that Hollywood heartthrob from quasi-romantic, action pieces like Armageddon and Pearl Harbor. Audiences can only accept these actors for what they have done, rather then what they may be able to do. Not only that, but they turn to the more well-known, mainstream pieces of that actor to turn them down. Similar to how Lex wants the world to see Superman as a fraud, rather than actually making him a fraud, these people want others to see the actor the way they see them. No objective thought or critical thinking is allowed in this rigorous, dare I say almost religious treatment of the actor.
Daredevil was terrible, hence Affleck will suck as Batman.’
‘But what about movies like Argo or The Town? He did great in those.’
Usually, the exception is not allowed. Instead, they go back to square one and become Anakin Skywalker of if you are not with me, then you are my enemy. This mentality breeds ignorance and ignorance is a breeding ground for prejudice … you see, any time a man forms an opinion that’s not based on facts, then he’s a fool. Notice they critique the actor and film before they even view it. Must I again remind you what happened in the cases of Michael Keaton, Ben Affleck or may I even mention Heath Ledger?
Why The Hate Towards Robert Pattinson
It’s quite simple really – The Twilight franchise. People mostly know of him from his role of Edward, the sparkling vampire, the love of many teenage girls and that’s it! Now we can objectively critique these movies as bad for the most part. In a sense, it is basically a Romeo and Juliet story, but with vampires and werewolves. It is made with only one audience in mind and thus, the film does not age well. Strange thing is, the Twilight film franchise makes up less than a quarter of his acting career.
Going back to my original argument, people know of him from this one role and refuse to see anything else of his, regardless of what others say. Personally, I can somewhat identify with this. ‘I hate Leonardo DiCaprio’ or at least that’s what I said in the mid to late nineties. You could say he was the heartthrob of many young, teenage girls thanks to films like Titanic and Romeo + Juliet. Yet, now he has moved past that and is a favorite actor to many, including myself. In time, it turns out the hatred for the individual was misplaced. The hate was more towards the absurd fandom, a fandom not based in any real appreciation for the individual’s talent, who becomes type-casted in a role by the mainstream. Who knows, it could also be a male thing out of jealousy and spite.
Robert Pattinson’s Works Worth Mentioning
Cosmopolis
A first post-Twilight film from him to receive praise is David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis. Cronenberg is certainly a name worth noticing. Yes, he is a strange director but has yet to turn in crap. If he casts Robert Pattison for his lead, then that is saying something. Cosmopolis follows the lead in his stretch-limo across mid-Manhattan, with all of his in-car expenses, toys, and women, showing how closed off he is from reality. Justin Chang notes that Pattinson gives an ‘excellent performance.’ The movie went on to much appraise and landing another role in a David Cronenberg film, Maps to the Stars which also received praise.
This closed-off rich, playboy. Sounds vaguely familiar, does it not? What makes the film exciting is how it tell the story of today’s world in their reaction to the rich and powerful. Is it not fair to say that the world would have the same to say about a person like Bruce Wayne? We see him play this cold character, which at times Bruce Wayne/Batman can certainly be. We see the jet-setting playboy as well, although for Bruce Wayne that is just an act. Seeing Robert Pattinson play it is definitely a feather in his hat for the role.
The Rover
The Rover from 2014 is a post-apocalyptic piece from David Michôd. The director comments about Pattinson ‘(he is) really smart, and not the sort of pretty boy I was expecting. As soon as it was time to start testing… he was my first choice, by a long way.’ In fact, he won the audition over several actors. One critic would go on to state Pattinson’s performance ‘becomes more interesting as the film moves along…’ Director Quintin Tarantino goes on to call The Rover ‘A mesmerizing, visionary achievement. The best post-apocalyptic movie since the original Mad Max.’ Yet how can this be? It has Edward in it!
A film like The Rover shows Robert Pattinson can act is a somewhat realistic fictional setting. Sure, we do not live in a post-apocalyptic world, but we always theorize about it. The movie alone presents a believable approach to it. This is not far from Gotham City, a city much like New York City or Chicago but with some fictional differences. This is not fantasy like Wonderland for example. Plus, it shows Pattinson’s acting chops as even a supporting role.
Life
We see him play photojournalist Dennis Stock in the film Life, where he travels with James Dean across America. The character is emotionally detached from his family, finding no joy there. Dennis Stock suffers from a huge ego and professional jealousy with James Dean. Again, another film drawing in much acclaim from critics, even David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter has nothing but praise Robert Pattinson, although he criticizes the film.
A film in which Pattinson plays a real, historical figure just proves the actor has plenty of range for various roles. The notion of a character detached from his loved ones is also not that far from Batman. For example, remember the episode Robin’s Reckoning from Batman: The Animated Series? We see Batman spending more time finding the killer of Dick Grayson’s parents, rather than spending time with him. Plus, in Batman: Year One we see this ego-building for Bruce as he has to be the best at this vigilante job, show up the police and strike fear in the hearts of criminals.
Good Time
Another film worth mentioning is the heist-thriller Good Time where he plays a bank robber on the run with his developmentally disabled brother. Time after time he has to keep helping out his brother, amidst the crime and troubles of New York City.
One critic calls it ‘his most commanding performance to date’ and one remark that Pattinson ‘hits a career-high’ with this one.
Helping people in an urban environment? Crime? Might as well be Gotham, right? Here we see a character who cares too much and the weight he will push to see justice done. On top of that, this all occurs in one night and keep in mind all of the things Batman endures in just one night. Yes, his character is a criminal, but we empathize with him. The same can be said of Batman who by all means is, in fact, a criminal. The fact that Robert Pattinson can go from something of a heroic protagonist to an unlawful protagonist again says something about his range as an actor.
High Life
High Life is a sci-fi film from 2018, about a group of criminals who are sent on a mission to travel on a spaceship toward a black hole while taking part in scientific experiments, also including sexual experimentation. It comes from a French director but made in English. Robert Pattinson was always up and willing to star in this film. The director notes Pattinson as ‘enigmatic’ and having a ‘power presence’. She adds that he ‘gives off an aura that immediately makes you want to film him.’
This film is not Interstellar which gives off this hopeful vibe for the future in the genre of sci-fi. High Life is quite the opposite, as dark and depressing. Pattinson shows that while still as an adult, not in some kind of emo fashion many may expect. Do we not want a dark, dare I say depressing Batman? We certainly don’t want campy Batman or the Super Friends cut that Whedon gave us in Justice League. Batman itself does go into elements of sci-fi, therefore Pattinson having a background in that certainly helps. We also have the sexuality of the film, which Pattinson plays a role in. Batman is and always has been something of a sexual figure. The playboy Bruce Wayne, the numerous femme fatales he engages as Batman and this mysterious, brooding mentality of his some cannot help but find attractive. Pattinson can easily tap into that.
Robert Pattinson as The Youngest Batman
Robert Pattinson is the second youngest Batman in casting, the youngest being Christian Bale who was 30 when he was first cast. Pattinson recently turned 33. Of course, he is now the youngest of all the Batman actors though. Plus, Bale was 38 when the trilogy ended. However, Pattinson is the first millennial Batman. Perhaps it is time for a younger Batman! Not to say millennials deserve a chance, but let’s see what young blood can bring to this character. A generation, unlike the Baby Boomers and Generations X’ers that portray the role previously.
Here we have an actor from a generation deemed as entitled and narcissistic to some. This is something he can easily bring to the role of Bruce Wayne, think of a Kardashian almost. Young people are increasingly more educated, tech-savvy, politically correct and diverse. Of course, this does not mean Batman needs to be making sure no one ‘triggers’ The Joker. Nor does he need to ask why Clayface does not take the identity of a Muslim woman rather than a white male.
The Final Word for Robert Pattinson
I do think people forget about the magic in film making and acting. Many are already reciting he is not buff enough for the role. So what? He can buff up, no doubt they will give him a trainer. Bale was still underweight from The Machinist when he was cast for Batman Begins, appearing near anorexic at first. Guess what? He beefed up! People cannot accept or believe the idea that he can be Batman. Yet people by the idea of an Australian stage singer as Wolverine or a former drug addict as Iron Man. Now more than ever people have a hard time accepting this two-man as ever their real selves or as other roles, they are simply Wolverine and Iron Man, no one else! Who’s to say Pattinson cannot do the same?
That is part of the joy of cinema. We know none of this is real, but at times we cannot help but believe it after the credits roll and we leave the cinema. I know he’s an actor and in his downtime does not do stuff like this at all. But I believe he is a hero and sacrifices his life every day against evil and crime. It is this awe we have as human beings, unlike other species. In a way, we go to the movies to be fooled, to be tricked and take us out of our element at times. We still do not know the script or Matt Reeves’ entire direction. He has an idea in his head only in what and who his Batman is. Until we see it, we cannot judge and give him the benefit of the doubt.
If for some reason you still are up in arms and cannot check your hatred of Twilight at the front door, then you are the epitome of first world problems.
CHECK OUT: All Upcoming DC Universe Movies, Sequels, and Crossovers (2019 – 2022)
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