Though most fans have since embraced Robert Pattinson's casting as The Batman, the news did not go over particularly well back when it was first announced. Some were willing to give him a chance, but others wondered how the sparky vampire from Twilight could ever portray a convincing Caped Crusader, and the resulting backlash on social media did not go unnoticed.
While speaking to The LA Times about his latest film, Pattinson addressed and acknowledged the negativity he saw online, but appears to have taken it all in his stride. “I was actually mocked less than I usually am,” he joked. “I was quite shocked. ‘Only 70% negative? A-plus!’ ”
Even the most ardent naysayers began to warm to the idea of Pattinson playing The Dark Knight after the trailers, and with many catching early IMAX previews ahead of this Friday's release, it's probably safe to say quite a few of his detractors are now (or soon will be) eating their words.
To be fair, it sounds like even Pattinson himself would have been hesitant to accept the role a few years ago.
"Even like five years ago, I was the last person I would think would be cast as Batman," he added. "I’m never normally in consideration for superhero parts at all. Usually [in those roles] you’re either a total unknown or someone who just, I don’t know, seems more obvious. I don’t understand what it was about Batman, but I got really fixated on it and kept pushing my agent about it. I loved Matt’s work on the “Planet of the Apes” movies so much, and a lot of Matt’s work. and I was thinking, if you can get that performance out of a monkey … . [laughs] Then I met Matt and just he had such an interesting take on the character, and it just felt very different and kind of dangerous. It felt like a big, big mountain to climb."
Have any of managed to see The Batman yet? If so, what did you think of Pattinson's performance? You can check out my review here.