Robert Pattinson 2017 Nerdist | Robert Pattinson's Nerdist Interview: The World of Cosplay

Actor, musician, and fashion superstar Robert Pattinson sat down with famed geek culture journalist and podcaster / Neerdyst for an interview. While the topic of the interview is pretty much anything, it focuses mainly on Robert Pattinson’s new film Twilight (2013), which marks his directorial debut. The interview was conducted a few days before the film’s premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. In the interview, Robert chats about his love for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, his thoughts on the movie magic that is comic books, and of course, his latest projects, including Twilight and its upcoming sequel, Conversation With…Robert Pattinson (2014) and The Rover (2014).

The film follows the trials and tribulations of Bella (played by Kristen Stewart) as she transitions from being a ditsy girl next door to becoming the world’s most famous vampire. Stewart recently spoke to IGN regarding the movie and its unexpected box office success, noting, “I didn’t really expect it to do so well. I thought it would do OK, but not great. I didn’t expect it to be as popular as it has been.” What did you expect the finished product to be like?

Well, I didn’t see the movie before it was released so I really have no idea. [laughs] I just knew it was going to be a really scary movie but I didn’t know it was going to be a horror movie, exactly. I’ve heard it’s one of the most popular movies at horror film festivals, so I’d say it’s definitely done well. I think it’s done really well considering it’s only been out for a week and it’s already been certified fresh on Netflix, which is pretty cool. So, yeah, I’m really happy about that.

What are your thoughts on the movie’s box office performance and how has it changed your plans for the future?

It’s changed my plans for the future in a really cool way because I have this one chance to make a movie that I always wanted to make. So I think that’s the kind of movie that I’ll always want to make, even though this is my first. Even though it’s a really scary movie, I can see myself in the role. So there’s this one chance to make a movie that I’ll always want to make and it wasn’t exactly what I expected when I read the script, but I think it’s turned out pretty cool.

The MCU Affinity

How did you get involved with the Marvel Cinematic Universe? What was your initial reaction to the proposal?

I love comics and I love Marvel comics. I grew up reading them and I always wanted to be involved with them. When they came up with this idea of a shared cinematic universe, I was like, “Yes, yes! I love the MCU. It’s my favorite. I want to be a part of it.” [laughs] Yeah, I was really, really excited about it.

What did you think when you were first asked to play a part in a Marvel movie?

I was like, “No, really? I love Marvel. I love comic books. This is going to be amazing.” And then when I found out that I was playing a vampire in [2016’s] Venom, I was like, “Oh my God, this is awesome! I love playing vampires! This is exactly what I wanted to do! I love working with [director] Sam [Raimi] and with the whole [Marvel Cinematic Universe] crew. It’s just such an amazing opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it.

Comic Books & Comics Culture

Can you tell us about your interest in comic books and why you think they’re so appealing to audiences today?

I think it’s just the combination of all the things: action, adventure, romance, drama, and comedy, all in one. I think it’s the ideal hybrid for an audience member. You’re not going to get bored. You’re going to get all of this and more. It’s great. I think in a lot of ways, comics are one of the greatest forms of art ever created. They allow for so much creativity and so much storytelling, which can translate very well to film. It’s the perfect fit. I think it’s going to bring something new to the big screen.

What do you think about when you think about comics?

I just remember the first time that I ever read one in particular. It was probably in the ‘70s, and it was the first graphic novel that I ever read. It was actually, at the time, a very long graphic novel. It was the first in a series of epic, self-contained stories that were connected by this overarching narrative. And it blew my mind. I was like, “Oh, my God! This is amazing! This is something that I have to read!” It was something new. It was something that I’d never experienced before. So I loved it. Every time after that, I’d read more and more comics. Especially since then, I’ve become very, very interested in the medium. I think it’s really, really cool that people can create such awesome stories and worlds, and then allow other people to get in on it. It’s a great opportunity for creators, as well as fans of the genre, to engage with the stories that they love through this form. It’s really exciting.

Comic Book Movies & The MCU

How has the process of bringing a comic book to the big screen been different than expected?

It’s been different in the best way possible. I’m really grateful to Marvel for giving me this opportunity and allowing me to be a part of something that I believe to be so cool. It’s definitely been something that I’ve looked forward to. I’ve loved every step of the way. Even when it was hard, it was still an amazing opportunity. I’m proud to be a part of it. Even if it’s just for a couple of years, it’ll be such an experience that I’ll cherish forever. I hope that I can continue to be a part of it even after the series is over.

How has the process of bringing a comic book to the big screen been different than expected?

Future Projects

What are your future plans as an actor?

Well, I have a couple of movies that I’m very, very excited about. First of all, there’s Twilight, which is going to be coming out soon. It’s an adaptation of Charlaine Harris’s bestselling Southern Vampire Saga. I play the infamous vampire, Eric Northman. It was really cool getting to dive into that world and that character. I loved everything about it. I also have Conversation With…Robert Pattinson, which is going to be out later this year as well. It’s a sequel to Twilight. I play the werewolf, James. It was again, a really cool opportunity to play a different character than I’m normally used to playing. I worked with the director, Seth Grossman, on that one as well and I think that it’s going to be amazing. Then, I have The Rover, which is set for release in March, and I play a mentally challenged man, Robert Wilson.

What are your future plans as a musician?