THE BATMAN Director Matt Reeves On The Initial Backlash To Robert Pattinson's Casting

THE BATMAN Director Matt Reeves On The Initial Backlash To Robert Pattinson's Casting

Though most fans have since embraced Robert Pattinson's casting as The Batman (the trailers helped), there was a lot of backlash when it was first announced, and director Matt Reeves has now weighed in.

By MarkCassidy - Jan 25, 2022 11:01 AM EST
Filed Under: The Batman

It's probably fair to say that the trailers for The Batman have done wonders for star Robert Pattinson being embraced as the new Dark Knight, but it was a very different story back when his casting was first announced.

Though some were willing to give Pattinson a chance, 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 by director Matt Reeves.

During an interview with Esquire, the filmmaker was asked about the fan-reaction to Pattinson landing the role, and rightly pointed out that no previous Batman actor has managed to evade the ire of surly fanboys.

“There has been no actor, when his announcement that he was going to be playing Batman in one of the feature films was announced, that has not received a backlash,” the Let Me In director says. “The people who were excited, I knew it was because they knew Rob’s work post-Twilight. The people who weren’t excited, I knew it was because they didn’t know Rob’s work post-Twilight.”

Reeves makes a valid point, as Pattinson's post-Twilight projects have established his range and versatility. The director adds that the actor's performance in 2017's Good Time convinced him that he was ideal for the part.

"In the process of writing the movie, I watched Good Time, and I thought, ‘Okay, he’s got an inner kind of rage that connects with this character and a dangerousness, and I can feel this desperation.’ And I became dead-set on it being Rob. And I had no idea if Rob had any interest! Because, of course, he had done all of these indie movies after he established himself in Twilight.”

He needn't have worried, because Pattinson was a massive Batman fans and jumped at the chance to reimagine the character.

The Batman is set to hit theaters on March 4. You can check out the latest TV spot below.

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regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 1/25/2022, 11:09 AM
"There has been no actor, when his announcement that he was going to be playing Batman in one of the feature films was announced, that has not received a backlash"

The Tyrant Whiny Babies of the world in shambles.
Conquistador
Conquistador - 1/25/2022, 11:52 AM
@regularmovieguy - haha, saying that, where has Tyrantbossmedia been lately? he get banned again?
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 1/25/2022, 11:54 AM
@UniqNo

He blocked me in 2021. Have no idea what he’s been up to, lmao.
Conquistador
Conquistador - 1/25/2022, 11:58 AM
@regularmovieguy - ah, that may be it, maybe he blocked me too. 😅.

He the villain we all need.
KWilly
KWilly - 1/25/2022, 12:51 PM
@regularmovieguy - Did people really not want Bale as Batman?
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 1/25/2022, 1:00 PM
@KWilly

I followed Begins throughout its production. From casting to the trailers, etc.

And I don’t remember there being much backlash. I was 13 in 2004 and I had no idea who Nolan or Bale were at that point.

I was just [frick]ing excited for another Batman movie.

TDK was the exact opposite and got a TON of backlash with Heath Ledger’s casting. Even after BB came out to rave audience and critical reception.
Conquistador
Conquistador - 1/25/2022, 1:19 PM
@regularmovieguy - I remember following BB aswell, even remember when it was going by 'Batman Intimidation Game'

Good old days.

I think the backlash from that production was the design of the Tumbler, as it was the first official image after the logo that came out... oh and Katie Holmes' casting.

I don't recall people saying Bale was a bad choice, but there was alot of dissapointment that a bigger name (at the time) didn't get it.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 1/25/2022, 1:21 PM
@UniqNo

Bro...totally forgot about the Tumbler. Remember reading a fake leak saying it "blew up" at the end, lmao.

That shit was badass.
Malatrova234
Malatrova234 - 1/25/2022, 11:11 AM
Still early to talk about post backlash Matt boy , lets see the movie first ;)
datfigures
datfigures - 1/25/2022, 12:08 PM
@Malatrova234 - he’s talking about the backlash to casting before the movie has even been released...so not really early?

It’s the same thing that happened with Keaton and Affleck. Keaton is pretty universally loved and in Affleck’s case, he is considered a bright spot in the films he appeared in even by some people that trash those movies.
Itwasme
Itwasme - 1/25/2022, 11:12 AM
I never understand why people respond so negatively to casting. Clearly the director has a vision for the character and it's ridiculous to respond before knowing what that is. Characters are a combination of the direction, writing, and the actor, so responding without seeing the full picture of how the characterization is going to play out is really odd.
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 1/25/2022, 11:13 AM
Couldn't agree more myself. This guy gets it, and that is one of the reasons I have so much faith in this movie
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