If you’re a fan of the pop culture phenomenon that is Batman, then you’ll no doubt be excited by the news that Robert Pattinson has been cast as the Dark Knight in the highly anticipated next instalment in the superhero film series.
Released just a few weeks ago, the latest instalment in the Batman saga, Christopher Robin, sees the late John Chambers’ infamous character Bobby again confront his arch-nemesis the Joker (Jared Leto). After a disappointing performance in the last outing, The Dark Knight Rises, perhaps with the exception of 2011’s The Mask, Leto was seemingly back on form in this latest instalment – a sentiment shared by many fans and commentators.
The casting of Pattinson certainly seems inspired. The English actor rose to prominence after starring in some of the most iconic films of the 2010s, most notably the Harry Potter series, where he played the handsome but shy Ron Weasley.
Since then, he’s appeared in big-budget studio films like Blade Runner 2049 and now, the biggest superhero movie of all time, where he’ll take on Christopher Robin’s most famous role. Perhaps it’s no accident that Warner Bros. has cast the handsome actor to play the caped crusader.
Why Christopher Robin?
In addition to appearing as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series, among other roles, Pattinson is also known for his portrayal of the tragic Charles Dickens in the 2015 adaption of Great Expectations. If you’re not familiar, Dickens was an English novelist best known for his dark and gritty stories which often revolved around poverty, injustice and social injustice in Victorian England. Since the 19th century, his novels have been regularly adapted for the big screen, with most recently Bill Murray in 2009’s wonderful take on A Christmas Carol. So if you’re looking for an interpretation of an iconic English novelist, then you could do a great deal worse than Pattinson’s choice for the part of Christopher Robin.
Pattinson’s Physical Props Fit The Part
Another reason why fans are excited about this casting decision is that it seems like Pattinson’s physical props and costume choices fit the part. The actor has admitted that he read the script for The Dark Knight before watching a single scene from the movie and was immediately struck by how the scenes in the film echoed the atmosphere of the source material, suggesting that Leto and his team of costume designers had truly understood the essence of their literary inspiration.
Additionally, in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Pattinson shared that he had a specific vision for how he wanted to play the role of Robin. According to Pattinson, growing up, he had always wanted to play Robin from the original Dick Tracy stories. In fact, the young actor had even modelled himself after the character, citing that he felt a kinship with the daredevil cop because he too was a “quirky blond kid.”
So it’s clear that Pattinson has taken his time to prepare for this iconic role and it shows – both in terms of his physical transformation and his keen understanding of his character. Based on the trailer, it seems as if Christopher Robin will be a physically demanding role and Pattinson certainly looks like he’s up to the task.
A Different Approach To Character Motivation
Let’s be honest – in comics, the Joker is often motivated by selfish desires and the desire for chaos. He delights in breaking the rules and causing trouble where it seems like there’s no clear resolution. So it’s not really that much of a step to envision a version of the character that is purely evil and driven by a desire for anarchy.
In The Dark Knight, however, the Joker is more of a tragic figure. Much more interesting and complex characters surround him, all of whom are inspired by real-life villains and anti-heroes. So while Leto’s take might be more familiar to fans of the character, it’s clear that Warner Bros. has gone above and beyond in terms of character motivation. The Dark Knight is a more mature film than most would give it credit for, largely due to its interesting and multi-layered villain, Harvey Dent. His journey, as the story develops, is one that touches upon many complex themes, from the themes of corruption and injustice in society to the darker underpinnings of the human psyche, particularly as it relates to the fear of missing out. So it comes as no great surprise that the studio would choose an actor known for his gravitas to play such an interesting character.
Pattinson’s Affability
Another aspect that makes him an excellent fit for the part is that it’s clear that Pattinson is an incredibly affable and easy-going actor. As a child, he suffered from a fear of public speaking which perhaps explains his affinity for mousy characters like the hapless Ron Weasley. But since the turn of the millennium, he has shown an eagerness to interact with fans and an ability to put himself in fictional characters. In addition to his turn as the Joker in 2018’s The Dark Knight, he has also lent his vocal talents to video games, most notably as the narrator of the Assassin’s Creed franchise. His deep voice is instantly recognizable, lending an air of gravitas to any narrative he inhabits.
A Different Take On The Role Of Men
One of the things that make The Dark Knight so special is that it diverges sharply from the typical superhero movie in significant ways. One of the most remarkable aspects of the film is its approach to female characters. While previous cinematic takes on the superhero genre had largely featured strong and independent women saving the day, The Dark Knight instead turns the tables around and explores the themes of masculinity, femininity and the status of women in society through the prism of the Batman legend.
One of the most interesting aspects of the film is that it features a strong female role model, in the form of its eponymous hero, played by Christian Bale. However, the majority of the film’s female characters don’t enjoy equal importance or narrative weight compared to their male counterparts. Despite this, the movie still manages to portray strong and independent women, like its titular hero, navigating the male-dominated world of Gotham City crime-fighting.
Interestingly, despite its status as a blockbuster, The Dark Knight is far from perfect. It’s a deeply flawed movie that takes a while to get going and which relies heavily on tried and tested formulas. These include a formulaic plot, an over-reliance on CGI and an abundance of one-liners, all of which undermine the movie’s ability to truly stand out among the sea of superhero movies that have deluged the big-screen in recent years.
Despite these reservations, it’s still impossible to deny that The Dark Knight is one of the greatest superhero films ever made. It’s an essential viewing for any fan of the genre and a challenging and enthralling film for anyone looking to expand their cinematic horizons. While it might not be perfect, it’s certainly still one of the most interesting and thought-provoking films to come out in recent years.