Here’s Why Robert Pattinson Should Be The Next Batman
R-Patz is rumoured to be in the mix to play Batman and he’s more than qualified.
Robert Pattinson should be Batman: hear me out.
We’re in the middle of a politically unstable time in the world because of Batfflexit.
After two films Ben Affleck is no longer Batman and there’s an empty seat in the BatCave.
Naturally, every white dude who hasn’t eaten a carb in a decade has been mentioned as a potential replacement — because it’s the law of the universe for Batman films to be made, and one will be made, with Warner Brothers (WB) committing to a June 2021 release date.
With the creative title of The Batman, writer and director Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) will change the pace a little for this take on the dark knight.
Talking to The Hollywood Reporter, Reeves said, “It’s more Batman in his detective mode than we’ve seen in the films … He’s supposed to be the world’s greatest detective, and that’s not necessarily been a part of what the movies have been. I’d love this to be one where when we go on that journey of tracking down the criminals and trying to solve a crime, it’s going to allow his character to have an arc so that he can go through a transformation.”
#RobertPattinson for #Batman. A perfect choice for a younger #BruceWayne. He got the looks of an eccentric Billionaire Playboy and undoubtedly the best bet to take the #DCCinematicUniverse to the NEXT level of awesomeness. It's a hopeful rumor till now but the talks are on! pic.twitter.com/eKdIof0UU5
— Pallav Gogoi (@pallav_) February 4, 2019
With the blizzard of casting options, WB is rumoured to have a favourite, Robert Pattinson, and it’s caused a stir online, mainly from people who never saw a film with Pattison in it beyond the Twilight saga.
Batman fans are in gatekeeper mode being baffled by Pattison as ‘the Twilight guy’ but with the financial stability of a $1 billion film franchise comes great freedom.
The guy is legit contender to play Batman because he has been playing lots of dark and twisted characters since shedding the glitter of the undead.
Here’s a guide to the films that make a great case for why Pattinson can play Batman and do anything he pleases.
Water For Elephants
Going to die on a hill here but this film has a lot more romance than all the Twilight films combined.
Pattinson plays a vet student who escapes to the circus after a family tragedy and falls in love with Reese Witherspoon and an elephant with a taste for … revenge.
Old school Hollywood is alive in this adaptation of the novel by Sara Gruen. What Water for Elephants proves is Pattison’s status as a lead away from Twilight and especially alongside Witherspoon (they appeared opposite each other previously in Vanity Fair) who is usually so good you forget about her male co-stars.
Water for Elephants is available to stream on Netflix.
Cosmopolis
Pattison plays an egotistical young billionaire who uses a high-tech limousine as an office, a bedroom and a doctor’s examination room.
Set over the course of a day, the billionaire’s mental state begins to deteriorate, and it gets wild. Pattison is plays a grotesque version of Bruce Wayne and it’s an ice-cold performance that annihilates any of the goodwill from playing Edward Cullen.
The Rover
Refusing to get typecast, Pattison heads to Australia to make a film where an economic disaster turns Australia into a lawless society: think of it as a down-to-earth Mad Max.
Pattison plays Rey, the brother of a criminal who pisses off the wrong guy (Guy Pearce) and triggers a manhunt. Patterson is battered, the floppy hair is gone and he’s nearly unrecognisable in this gritty Australian film.
Childhood Of A Leader
Robert, we’re not in Forks anymore.
Pattison moves away a little from leading roles and make an impact in smaller parts like Childhood of a Leader. Set in 1919, the story focuses on the intense childhood of a boy who grows up to be a fascist leader. Pattison is excellent in a dual role.
Childhood of a Leader is available to stream on SBS On Demand.
Lost City Of Z
If you’ve got a spare 2 hours and 21 minutes, go into the jungle and grow a gigantic beard with Pattison and Charlie Hunnam (Pacific Rim).
The film tells the story of British explorers at the turn of the 20th century looking for an ancient city in the Amazon. Again, Pattinson is unrecognisable looking shaggy and sweaty in the jungle giving an eccentric performance that’s one of his best.
Lost City of Z is available to stream on Netflix
Good Time
Welcome to peak Pattinson.
In this crime drama, Pattison plays Connie Nikas, a small-time crook who robs a bank with his mentally-handicapped brother, Nick (Ben Safdie). The brothers try to escape the law, but Nick gets arrested and Connie’s night goes from bad to worse.
A film about desperation, brotherhood and responsibility, Pattinson is sublime trying to survive the worst night ever on the pulsing streets of New York City.
Good Time is available to stream on Netflix.
Cameron Williams is a writer and film critic based in Melbourne who occasionally blabs about movies on ABC radio. He has a slight Twitter addiction: @MrCamW.