The Batman is arguably the most recognizable figure in cinematic history. No other character has been portrayed by so many different actors and drawn upon by so many different screenwriters and played out in so many different ways. But while the character may be well known, he is decidedly not one-dimensional. Every Batman story is incredibly unique, offering a deeper insight into the mind of the Dark knight.

This is exactly what makes the latest actor to assume the mantle of Batman so exciting. With his gritty, realistic style and mysterious persona, Robert Pattinson is the perfect fit for the caped crusader.

So who is this new Batman?

Robert Pattinson

British actor Robert Pattinson is best known for his role in the blockbuster series, The Twilight Saga. The actor portrays Edward Cullen, a noble, but slightly arrogant vampire who lives in harmony with his co-humanity. But it is this versatility that has perhaps propelled Pattinson to the forefront of pop culture. His portrayal of Edward Cullen earned him a Teen Choice Award for actor and his movie The Twilight Saga: Eclipse was the highest grossing film of the year in 2012. With a total box office haul of over $1billion, the series helped bring about the contemporary ‘New Romanticism’ in Hollywood. (Wikipedia 2016)

Pattinson’s portrayal of Edward Cullen won him many fans, but it was his role in the 2014 Water for Thought documentary about the refugee crisis that truly established him as a figurehead and a social activist.

Dark, Dashing And Soaring

The Batman is known for his dark persona and mysterious ways, and Pattinson’s interpretation of the Caped Crusader fits that bill perfectly. When MTV News visited Pattinson on the set of the new Batman movie The Batman, they reported that the actor had “dark circles under his eyes, a sharp crease to his pants, and [a] dashing, if not soaring, entrance”.

His entrance certainly seems to have been inspired by one of the greats – Christian Bale, who played Batman in the hugely successful Batman Begins and The Bale Effect documentaries. Pattinson modeled his entrance on that of Bale’s character, which was a combination of “darkness and quiet strength.”

But the actor is certainly not content to replicate what came before him. Instead, he has created a dark and dangerous version of the Batman we have never seen before. Pattinson is embracing all the clichés that come with being the new guy on the block; he is the anti-hero with a heart of gold, who fights for what he believes in, and generally makes the world a better place.

So is Robert Pattinson the new Batman? Time will tell, but for now, let’s celebrate the actor’s exciting journey and embrace the dark knight as he was meant to be seen:

  • Seductively
  • Violently
  • And, ultimately, Religiously.