While we were all eagerly awaiting the next instalment in the Harry Potter universe, our attention has been diverted by another blockbuster franchise – one which has surpassed Potter in box office takings. Could Robert Pattinson, our Beloved Vampire, be playing an iconic role in one of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters? Let’s take a look at the evidence shall we?
New York Magazine
In September 2019, the New York Magazine put forward a compelling case that not only is Robert Pattinson playing an iconic role in the latest entry in the phenomenal Black Panther franchise, but that he’s actually one of the co-leads alongside Chadwick Boseman! If you’ve been looking to gain some knowledge on the subject, this article is definitely for you.
The publication states that thanks to his portrayal of the dastardly and cunning Viktor Ziegler, Robert Pattinson has officially surpassed Harry Potter as the most bankable actor in Hollywood today. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the actor is now valued at an estimated $150 million.
The article goes on to speculate about the future of the Black Panther franchise and questions whether or not the film will live up to the legacy of its predecessor. While we wait for the forthcoming movie to make its premiere, let’s revisit a scene from one of the most iconic films of all time.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2018)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a whole other ballgame compared to the Harry Potter franchise, but even diehard Potter fans will have no trouble recognising Robert Pattinson from his brief appearance in the second volume of the Guardians of the Galaxy. In the film, he plays the role of Kylo Ren, a role which would return him to the big-budget territory of a Harry Potter movie.
In the scene, Ren and a group of stormtroopers are guarding a downed Star Destroyer, which they’ve taken as a prize. In the midst of a fierce sword fight with another guard, Ren casually strolls up to the group and offers the guy a high-five. When the fight is over, the guard asks if everyone is alright, prompting Ren to reply: “Yeah, didn’t you just see us fight? We’re fucking awesome.”
While he plays a rather charming character in this scene, the actor is actually a bit of a badass. He’s one of the most valuable British actors currently working and was named the 25th-most-powerful celebrity in the world by Forbes in 2021. His portrayal of Kylo Ren alone is worth more than the salary of many an actor.
Mulholland Drive (2001)
Another film which could be considered a hidden gem in the Harry Potter series is Billy Wilder’s epic Mulholland Drive. It was one of the first big-budget films to use IMAX cameras and the special effects were something else at the time. The combination of those elements along with some incredible scenery and a memorable soundtrack made this one of the most memorable films of all time.
The movie is set in the 1950s and is a timeless tale of Hollywood excess. It focuses on the affair and eventual separation of a famous Hollywood couple, Douglas (played by Kiefer Sutherland) and Irene (played by Lauren Hutton).
One of the most memorable scenes in the film sees Douglas’ character walking towards the ocean and throwing a coin into the air. As he watches it land in the water, he utters the immortal line: “That’s some good shit.”
The Lost Symbol (2013)
Another film which could be considered to be the spiritual successor to Harry Potter is Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol. Brown’s hugely popular book was adapted for the big screen with almost magical results. The movie not only lived up to, but arguably surpassed, the hype surrounding the initial book release.
The story revolves around the eponymous figure, who is loosely based on Brown’s protagonist, Robert Langdon. Like Brown’s book, The Lost Symbol sees Langdon investigating a series of mysterious symbols on historical buildings around the world. The similarities don’t end there either, with Langdon’s boss, the Harvard professor Tom Hanks, referring to the movie as “just like the book”. Indeed, Brown’s bestselling book was such a phenomenon that a parody version titled Scared Symatic was even released in 2019.
Death on the Nile (2019)
Just when we thought the Harry Potter franchise couldn’t get any bigger, it did. In July 2019, it was announced that acclaimed French director Roman Polanski would be returning to the big-budget territory of a Harry Potter movie to direct an adaptation of L.A. Meyer’s Death on the Nile. It was also revealed that the movie would be set in the 1990s.
The director has already begun pre-production and has even cast the pivotal role of Sherlock Holmes. While we await word on whether or not the movie will be any good, let’s take a look at some of the most iconic images from the franchise.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
It took nearly ten years for J.K. Rowling to finally top herself with the Harry Potter series finale, Deathly Hallows. The finale not only concluded the seven-year battle between the forces of evil and good, but saw Harry Potter don his iconic attire one last time and walk towards the Forbidden Forest with his friends, Ron Weasley and Hermoine Granger. The three are now orphans, with only an ill-fated dragon to protect them.
Whether or not you agreed with the conclusions of the Harry Potter series, the fact remains that the novels shook the world and laid the groundwork for one of the biggest movie franchises of all time. The final chapter saw Harry Potter literally embrace death as he gave peace to Voldemort, his nemesis.
It is fair to say that without Harry Potter, the global magic scene would be quite different today. The franchise not only introduced a whole new generation of readers to the magical world of Harry Potter, but it also helped to usher in a new era of British cinema. Let’s not forget that it was also the most lucrative film franchise of all time, bringing in billions of dollars at the box office.
It is for this reason that it is fitting that the most bankable actor today should be none other than Robert Pattinson. It seems that Hollywood clearly agrees too, with three of the most iconic films of all time – The Lost Symbol, Death on the Nile and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – all being released over the past three years. Could this mean that Harry Potter’s time as king of the big-budget box office has come to an end?