Robert Pattinson’s acting career has certainly come far since his days as portraying a sparkly vampire in the ‘Twilight’ films. After nabbing the role of Batman, you’d soon see the English actor as every DC Comics fan’s favorite caped crusader.
Before you line up at the movie theater to see the 34-year-old swagger in his Batsuit, let’s take a look back at the day he found out that he would be the new Batman.
Intense Weekend
During an interview with Total Film, Pattinson shared the interesting way the good news reached him. Apparently, he was working on a film called ‘Tenet’ with Christopher Nolan, the director behind the critically-acclaimed ‘The Dark Knight Trilogy.’
The actor talked about how ‘insane’ it was as he found out about his new project as Batman on the first day of working with Nolan, which in itself was an intense weekend.
‘Tenet’ would surely be an excellent way to prepare for Pattinson. The film, which is set to premiere in July, is a spy thriller about a secret agent trying to prevent World War III.
Aside from Pattinson, it stars John David Washington in the lead role as well as Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Denzil Smith.
Batman Returns
Originally scheduled to be for a June 2021 release, the upcoming Batman film was pushed back to premiere in October 2021. It would be helmed by American director Matt Reeves, whose notable works include the Planet of the Apes franchise.
While the film’s production was affected by the ongoing health crisis, Reeves said that they’ve already shot 25% of ‘The Batman’ before being interrupted.
Batman’s last silver screen appearance was in 2017’s Justice League. The character also top-billed ‘Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016.
Ben Affleck played the dark knight for the two films.
Next in Line
Pattinson follows a long list of actors who have donned the iconic Batsuit in a live-action movie throughout the decades.
Michael Keaton was the first actor to appear as Batman in a blockbuster film when he starred in Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’ (1989) and ‘Batman Returns’ (1992). His footsteps were followed shortly by Val Kilmer in ‘Batman Forever’ (1995).
George Clooney then took on the role after Kilmer left starring in ‘Batman & Robin’ (1997), which received negative reviews. It would be another decade before another Batman live-action movie would be made.
Christian Bale would revive the role in the ‘The Dark Knight’ trilogy (2008-2012). Counting Affleck, Pattinson will be the sixth actor to play Batman.