People have been talking about Robert Pattinson for years. Since the Twilight star graduated from Oxford, he’s been plagued by paparazzi and media speculation about his dating life. Now that he’s completed his 25th birthday, he’s carved out a career for himself in Hollywood. While his acting chops are second to none, it’s the man behind the camera that is turning heads.
Behind The Scenes On ‘Twilight’
It was only a matter of time before the cameras started following him around. After all, he co-founded the Twilight film series with his then-partner, Stephenie Meyer. The pair first met while filming the low-budget British film, Four Weddings and a Funeral, in the early 2000s. They were later propelled to superstardom after penning the bestselling Twilight saga.
While Twilight was made for TV movie standards (four-hour running times, cost restrictions) it was nonetheless hailed as a major accomplishment for a 20th century English-language novel. The film was a massive success, spawning six more installments and a TV spin-off, with Pattinson’s acting prowess firmly cementing his status as a leading man.
With Twilight under his belt, he began to focus on his craft, seeking out roles that allowed him to shine behind the camera. The result is that he’s established himself as one of Hollywood’s most in-demand directors. He’s helmed large-scale films like The Rover, which earned him an Academy Award nomination, and High Life, an indie romantic comedy that has amassed over 230 MILLION views on YouTube.
‘High Life’ Trailer
It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge that his recent success came at the tail end of a decade where he mostly stuck to TV work. He made a rare foray into the big-budget world with 2015’s The Rover, a live-action adaptation of William Morrow’s bestselling 1974 children’s book, Red Pajamas. The film follows Steve Jobs-like antihero, Charlie Dawes, who builds a career for himself in the 21st century by fixing old TVs and other household items. Packed with cameos from famous faces like Alan Rickman, John Malkovich, and Michael Caine, the movie is a rich character study of a man obsessed with his craft. In his review of the film, RogerEbert.com praises the fact that Pattinson “does a good job with little things”, and goes on to say “High Life is a movie about how technology can distract us from what’s important in life. It’s a movie about how, when you’re working hard to build a good life for yourself, you can lose sight of what’s truly important.”
While he’s firmly rooted in the comedy genre with 2017’s Sucker, starring Charlize Theron and James Caan, it’s apparent that he continues to seek authenticity in his work. His first foray into the buddy comedy (or, rather, buddy horror) genre was last year’s Dead to Me, an unconventional romantic comedy set in a zombieapocalypse. The film co-stars Thomasin McKenzie and Annabel Karim Kassar. From a viral marketing standpoint, it’s fascinating to watch how he continues to utilize social media to build an audience, with 1.5 million Twitter followers and over 500,000 Instagram followers (at the time of writing). The trailer for Dead to Me has garnered more than 18 million views on YouTube alone.
Upcoming Projects
Deadline reports that Pattinson has just signed on to star in and direct a remake of Luc Besson’s 2009 action film, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Besson’s first English-language film was a commercial success, grossing over $230 million worldwide. The remake will shoot later this year with the budget rumored to be around $30 million.
While viewers may feel that they know what kind of film it is they’re about to see, the trailer for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo demonstrates that Besson hasn’t lost touch with what made his previous film successful: stunning visuals and a strong female lead.
He’s also attached to helm the latest installment of Zack and Miri Make a Paper Coasters Movie, a popular YouTube series. The story focuses on a couple (Zack and Miri Make a Paper Coasters) who decide to stop making traditional Christmas ornaments and create their own crafty variations. In a statement, Besson said, “Robert is one of the most talented young cinematographers I know, and I couldn’t be more pleased to have him on board for this project. The opportunity to work with such a renowned director and to learn from his experience is an incredible opportunity for me.”
Pattinson is no stranger to the TV world. He’s currently developing an adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s controversial novel, Tricky Business, with HBO. The story centers around a group of Glasgow nightclub owners who conspire to corner the US market on ecstasy. Though the book was initially banned in some parts of the country, it became a phenomenal popular and critical success, paving the way for further Welsh adaptations, including Habiography and the forthcoming Altered State.
Summary
It’s been quite the rise for Robert Pattinson. Despite his relatively low profile, he’s established himself as a bankable leading man with a clear passion for cinema. His unique skill-set as a director and cinematographer allows for a unique brand of comedy and thriller films that seek to subvert expectations. While he may not always land his desired roles, it’s undeniable that his versatility has propelled him to the forefront of Hollywood’s A-list.