It’s been three years since Robert Pattinson graced our screens with his exquisite charm in Twilight, but the 22-year-old’s life hasn’t quite changed since then. While the actor has enjoyed some mainstream recognition since leaving the small screen, it hasn’t quite matched the stardom he received for playing Edward Cullen.
Twilight is often cited as an iconic example of modern romance, and it’s easy to see why. Not only did Pattinson’s performance completely steal the show, but the chemistry he shared with co-star Kristen Stewart was truly romantic.
But fame came with its own set of challenges, and Pattinson has admitted that he sometimes hid from the spotlight during the filming of Twilight. The actor has been open about his struggles with addiction, and the pressures that came with fame certainly didn’t help. It was recently revealed that Pattinson has been sober for over a year, and he credits his sobriety to his longtime collaborator and friend Emily Kay. “She’s the best in the world at getting me into my right headspace. I really trust her and I think she gets me. She’s seen me at my best and my worst and she knows the good and the bad. She hasn’t let me off the hook for anything,\” he said.
The Beginning Of Stardom
After graduating from Oxford University with a degree in English Literature, Pattinson began his acting career, appearing in stage productions and minor British TV shows. In 2010, he landed a role on the big screen when he was selected to play Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, which at the time was the highest-grossing film of all time. The following year, Pattinson played the love interest of Emma Thompson’s character in the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ A Sparks. The film was a hit, and so was Pattinson.
The year 2012 was a turning point for the English actor. He won a Golden Globe and was nominated for a BAFTA for his portrayal of a heroin addict in the coming-of-age film The Artist, directed by Michel Hazanavicius. The following year, the director would eventually cast Pattinson as the lead in the drama film The Great Gatsby, which was released in theaters in May 2018.
Pattinson As Edward Cullen
It was 2013 when Twilight premiered that the world would begin to see Pattinson in a new light – a light that would soon dazzle us with his singular charm. The premiere of Twilight coincided with the release of its two sequels, earning $725 million at the box office. It also marked the beginning of a long-term collaboration with director Bill Condon, whose previous credits include Gremlins 2: The New Baddie and Gods and Monsters.
In addition to the box office success of Twilight and its sequel, Pattinson’s performance as Edward Cullen has stood the test of time. The English actor has received numerous award nominations for his portrayal of the arrogant vampire, and he has won several accolades, including a Golden Globe and SAG Award. In 2018, Pattinson was nominated for his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the upcoming film adaptation of Deborah Wicks’ best-selling novel The House of Gucci.
Continuing To Stay At The Top
Since its premiere, Twilight has continued to enjoy phenomenal success, holding the top spot at the box office for 10 consecutive weeks. The film also became the highest-grossing movie of all time in Russia, Turkey, and Poland, among other countries. When it comes to staying in the public eye, Pattinson seems to have no equal. It was only a matter of time before he was offered more mainstream film roles. A Part of Me, an adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name by Nick Hornby, was released last year and starred Pattinson alongside Rebecca Ferguson, Claire Foy, and Vanessa Kirby. The film was directed by Lone Scherfig and it was reported to be inspired by the true events that inspired Hornby’s non-fiction book.
The success of Twilight and its sequels helped pave the way for other A-list collaborations for Pattinson. Along with Condon, he has been cast in the upcoming adaption of Michael Crichton’s Timeline: The Untold Story, opposite Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. He is also set to star in the upcoming psychological thriller The Death of Stalin, opposite Jason Derulo and Joe Alwyn. And then there’s 2020, which will mark the 100th anniversary of the Great War, the first world war.
Pattinson has spoken openly about the pressures of stardom, and he admits that he sometimes feels anxious and nervous about disappointing fans. But at the same time, he finds it humbling that people still come up to him at film festivals and tell him that they still love his Edward Cullen.
“There is so much love out there and I feel very blessed to be able to give this love back,” he said at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con. “I couldn’t ask for anything more.”