THE BATMAN Star Robert Pattinson On The Initial Backlash To His Casting: "[It Was] Only 70% Negative"

THE BATMAN Star Robert Pattinson On The Initial Backlash To His Casting: "[It Was] Only 70% Negative"

In a new interview, The Batman star Robert Pattinson comments on the initial backlash to his casting as The Dark Knight, pointing out that he was actually "mocked less than I usually am.”

By MarkCassidy - Mar 03, 2022 11:03 AM EST
Filed Under: The Batman

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.

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MV081199
MV081199 - 3/3/2022, 11:37 AM
I always knew that he was going to shine in the role.
DrThomasWayne
DrThomasWayne - 3/3/2022, 11:38 AM
Loved him in the cowl, the way he emotes in the costume was great, and his voice was on point, especially during the narrating scenes. Not my favorite look as Bruce Wayne w the emo hair but I’m still really excited to see where they take the character in future films.
KWilly
KWilly - 3/3/2022, 11:42 AM
@DrThomasWayne - Yeah, that emo hair gotta go for the sequel. Needs to get that Bruce Timm style next time.



DrThomasWayne
DrThomasWayne - 3/3/2022, 12:16 PM
@KWilly - yesss that would be perfect
obarium
obarium - 3/3/2022, 1:22 PM
@DrThomasWayne - My take on the hair is it's a visible identifier of someone who doesn't venture out into public much. This is the long haired recluse Bruce. The sense I got from the film is that Bruce has learned that he has to adopt a philanthropic, public figure persona so that his family's money will be spent more fairly.

So I think he'll be cleaned up for a sequel.

Just my interpretation.
Hawkguy
Hawkguy - 3/3/2022, 11:41 AM
I feel like I saw 2 1/2 negative reactions to him being cast. I was expecting a lot more immature "sparkly vampire" shit.

I mean, I'm sure it happened. Didn't see it, though.
Saintsinnister
Saintsinnister - 3/3/2022, 11:41 AM
Seeing it tonight! So excited! Even got a late show to hopefully weed out the people who bring toddlers.
0bstreperous
0bstreperous - 3/3/2022, 11:47 AM
I'm seeing it again tonight probably
Forthas
Forthas - 3/3/2022, 11:49 AM
It seems weird that the complaint against Pattinson is that he played Edward Cullin in the Twilight franchise who was best known for being "emo" (a person who is overly sensitive, emotional, and full of angst, or who adopts a certain style characterized by dyed black hair)...

...but based on what I am hearing...that is EXACTLY the way he portrays Bruce Wayne making the naysayers somewhat correct!
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 3/3/2022, 11:53 AM
@Forthas

Pattinson is the best Batman to date. No question, for me.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 3/3/2022, 11:56 AM
@Forthas - I think it stemmed more from him just being really awful in those movies (though everyone was). He didn't get the chance to show how talented he was until he started getting decent roles. He is emo AF in The Batman though 😂
Forthas
Forthas - 3/3/2022, 12:11 PM
@regularmovieguy - Did you see the film? I am going to try to catch it tonight. I HIGHLY doubt he is the best Batman (when is Batman ever been emo) but for the sake of being open minded I will reserv my judgement...

I know my statement "I HIGHLY doubt he is the best Batman" has revealed my bias but just go along with it...
Forthas
Forthas - 3/3/2022, 12:15 PM
@RorMachine - "He is emo AF in The Batman though"

Did it work for you?...or in the context of the story?

I am hearing some people think he was off-putting and a bit distracting.

...and let me just say I like Pattinson. I think he is a solid actor. I saw him in Good Time and he showed a lot of range!
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 3/3/2022, 12:17 PM
@Forthas - His Batman was great, but I wasn't fully sold on his Bruce Wayne... because he was pretty much the same character, just a bit mopier. It does make sense for this year 2 story, but I would have liked his Bruce to have just a bit more personality.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 3/3/2022, 12:19 PM
@Forthas

“when is Batman ever been emo”

Always, lol. Ever since his parents died in Crime Alley and he spent his nights beating the [frick] out of criminals dressed up as a Bat. Batman is emo.
Forthas
Forthas - 3/3/2022, 12:32 PM
@regularmovieguy - If that is true, then what you are saying is that Bruce Wayne is his true self...but I thought it was Batman? One of the core tenets of Batman is that Bruce Wayne is a mask, @RorMachine brings up a great point that it does not make sense for him to be the same person all the time.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 3/3/2022, 1:16 PM
@Forthas

I mean, based on where the character's at it makes perfect sense. When you watch this movie Batman goes through an arc...and it's pretty tidy in that he's going to adopt a more hopeful side in the sequel, it's stated pretty clearly.

Not trying to dive into spoilers but the movie spells it out for you.
DTor91
DTor91 - 3/3/2022, 2:36 PM
@Forthas - I don’t even really consider his Bruce “emo” honestly. He spends most of the film as Batman and his time as Bruce, it’s more like Bruce is the mask. He doesn’t care about how he looks or what he means to Gotham, he’s only Bruce whenever it’s absolutely necessary to his mission as Batman, and it’s obvious he’s more comfortable as Batman throughout. That last part is not anything on Pattinson’s performance, but how the character is portrayed at this stage in his life. You almost get the feeling that he’s just anxious to get right back in the suit and take on crime.

Without trying to give too much away, I think we’ll see “Bruce” grow and become more of a character with sequels.
TheLobster
TheLobster - 3/3/2022, 11:56 AM
He did solid as Batman but he’s a terrible Bruce Wayne. This is why Batfleck reigns supreme in my eyes - he was excellent as both.
Godzilla2000Zer
Godzilla2000Zer - 3/3/2022, 12:01 PM
@TheLobster - In fairness it seems he got so consumed in his Batman role that Bruce either forgot or was unwilling to be anything besides Batman and I think a sequel is gonna touch on that.
TheLobster
TheLobster - 3/3/2022, 2:12 PM
@Godzilla2000Zer - yeah I think you’re right
DTor91
DTor91 - 3/3/2022, 2:41 PM
@TheLobster - He wasn’t terrible as Bruce. He portrayed Bruce exactly how the story needed this Bruce to be portrayed. The ending obviously lays it out that going forward, Bruce and his mission is taking a different path. Affleck played a traditional Bruce, and that’s not fitting for this particular story.

Here we see a Bruce that’s fully dedicated to being Batman, and being Bruce is the mask. A hindrance even. If he could be Batman 100% of the time he absolutely would.

But to say Pattinson is a terrible Bruce, not to be rude but it comes across that you missed the point being conveyed here.
TheLobster
TheLobster - 3/4/2022, 12:16 PM
@DTor91 - nothing you said is a revelation to me lol

I got all of that - it’s just very one note. It’s fine for this film but if it doesn’t get expanded on in the sequels - it’s gonna get tired really fast.
Godzilla2000Zer
Godzilla2000Zer - 3/3/2022, 11:57 AM
This dude was great and very different from other Batmen he doesn't quite surpass Ben Affleck has my all time favorite Batman but he's pretty damn close along with Keaton.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 3/3/2022, 12:07 PM
What I like is this Batman speaks very little and it makes so much sense. He should be a man of few, carefully chosen words.
BigMikeReviews
BigMikeReviews - 3/3/2022, 12:21 PM
If I recall, the reaction was nowhere near as bad as when Affleck was cast. It's most probably due to the fact that Matt Reeves has a good track record where Snyder does not, and it bled over to Affleck in turn. All things considered his Batman turned out just fine (apart from the murderous aspect to his character)
ANewPope
ANewPope - 3/3/2022, 12:28 PM
Seeing this with a friend in a few hours. Bring it!!
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 3/3/2022, 12:30 PM
He was a darn highlight in Tenet, and it seems he’s great in this too. Glad to see it.
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 3/3/2022, 12:32 PM
He is right, I though it was going to be 90% because of the Twilight movies.
Odin
Odin - 3/3/2022, 12:36 PM
Has there actually ever been a Batman movie casting that hasn't been met with huge backslash? Keaton is legendary because he got so much complaints and it was with freaking letters pre-internet. Affleck and Pattinson both more than their fair share. Bale might have gotten some, most of it probably due to him being a brit, but with that trilogy it was way outshined by the reaction for Ledger's Joker casting. Not sure about Kilmer and Clooney. What was the situation with them?
Lokiwasright
Lokiwasright - 3/3/2022, 12:51 PM
It doesn't matter who is casted in which role. It's all done by design and by a code not by talent.
99OPTIMISTPRIME
99OPTIMISTPRIME - 3/3/2022, 12:56 PM

Apparently that Good Time role that Pattinson did, is what saved him from the intense backlash that Affleck got.
DTor91
DTor91 - 3/3/2022, 2:43 PM
@99OPTIMISTPRIME - Also the role that put him on the map for Reeves.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 3/3/2022, 9:14 PM
@99OPTIMISTPRIME - god tier great film. Safdie Bros are on one, two, maybe three [frick]
THEDARKKNIGHT1939
THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - 3/3/2022, 1:38 PM
The only backlash was from the people knew nothing about him other than "dA tWiLiGhT gUY".
Lostcause
Lostcause - 3/3/2022, 3:40 PM
I was in the 30%! In 2003 I watched him in Cosmopolis...He played a great "Bruce" in that. I gave my review of it on many sites. I got my wish!
bcom
bcom - 3/3/2022, 5:31 PM
He was great as Batman. If there are sequels, I'd like to see him play around a bit more with his Bruce Wayne persona. I think he's going to realise he needs to un-tarnish the Wayne name so Bruce Wayne is going to have to be more of a public figure. I could see Robert playing him as a kind of goofy but lovable guy in an attempt to win back the hearts of Gotham.
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 3/3/2022, 8:04 PM
I never get those over-the-top reactions when they cast someone for Batman, people need to take it easy.

He was a good Batman and in one particular scene during near the end of the 2nd act, I think, he showed a lot of emotion in his voice while he was still wearing his Batman suit. Won't spoil it, but it was one of my favourite scenes of him.

The sequels need to further flesh him out when he's not wearing the costume.
SupremeNative
SupremeNative - 3/4/2022, 4:03 PM
You had to be a complete idiot to think that he was a legit bad casting. Then again most fanboys don't really know what a real thespian looks and performs likes.

Pattinson is as experimental and technically skilled as they come in regards to acting. He's the total package in terms of his look, cadence, emotive acting of the eyes and face, and creativity. One of the best actors of his generations by far & he's been doing it since 2014. At least in roles where he wasn't playing the hollywood game.
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