When the news broke that Robert Pattinson had been cast as The Batman's Dark Knight, it's fair to say many fans had their doubts. While the actor had proven he was a major talent across multiple critically acclaimed movies since making a name for himself in the Harry Potter and Twilight franchises, would Pattinson be a suitably intimidating presence in Gotham City?
During last week's UK junket for the DC Comics adaptation, we asked stars Jeffrey Wright (Lieutenant Jim Gordon) and Paul Dano (Edward Nashton/The Riddler) how Pattinson showing up on set as Batman changed the dynamic for them as actors.
"Because Matt [Reeves'] Gotham is tangible, organic, and something that seems familiar to us, likewise Robert in the Batsuit becomes organic as well," Wright explained. "We ask questions early on about who is he [and] why is he. ‘Isn’t he strange?’ ‘Yes.’ We acknowledge that and then we move on. Because we’ve answered those questions, it raises the authenticity of his character."
"So, it just becomes a Batman movie," he continued. "But one that feels real and possible in a way that’s very exciting. We just take it from there and live our lives in Gotham...trying to survive it all!"
Without getting into spoilers, The Riddler spends most of the movie taunting the World's Greatest Detective, meaning that Dano didn't get to spend quite as much time opposite Pattinson's Batman. However, the experience is still one that stuck with him based on what he tells us in the video above.
"You’ve seen the film and I was waiting to see Robert for a long time," the actor teased. "It felt pretty good when I did get to see him out the window there. I love that moment."
As tiresome as it may be to describe a movie like this one as being "grounded," the fact that Reeves created a Gotham City where you can buy into Batman being real and accepted by characters as believable as Gordon and The Riddler is nothing short of incredible. Clearly, this meant a lot to Wright and Dano.
Make sure to check out our spoiler-free review of The Batman by clicking here. The Batman in cinemas 4th March.