Wolverine is back, and he’s joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the most unexpected way. While we knew that the X-Men character would make his cinematic debut in ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past,’ the role was actually played by someone else. But as it turns out, that wasn’t a coincidence; the filmmakers wanted to cast a fresh face to play the character, and they found it in Robert Pattinson.

Why Robert Pattinson

The name Robert Pattinson might not mean much to you. If you’re American, you’ll know that he’s starred in several high-profile films, but outside of North America, his filmography might be more familiar to fans of bestselling author and horror movie aficionado Stephen King. But if you’re a Marvel fan, you’ll know that he’s absolutely perfect for the role of Wolverine. You might also know that he’s a pretty big deal in Hollywood, having been nominated for an Academy Award and a BAFTA among others. So, naturally, it’s no surprise that Marvel would want to work with him.

What is a bit of a surprise is that the actor decided to take on the role of Batman in last year’s ‘The Batman.’ Not only is he one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, but his performance in the film impressed audiences and critics alike. It’s generally considered one of the best of 2015, and it has the potential to become one of the best Batman films of all time. So, naturally, it’s no surprise that Warner Bros. would want to work with him again.

The Difference In Demeanor

While King himself had high praise for ‘The Batman,’ he also pointed out some of the differences in demeanor between the two title characters. He pointed out that Robert Pattinson plays Batman “with all the subtlety of a freight train.” But what exactly does that mean?

Well, let’s look at how the two actors present themselves in the films.

  • In ‘The Batman,’ Robert Pattinson plays Bruce Wayne, the millionaire owner of Wayne Enterprises, who spends most of his time working on projects to better the lives of the people in Gotham City. He’s a likeable enough character, though he definitely has his quirks; as fans of ‘The Batman’ know, he’s very much a man of his own accord, and he doesn’t always follow the rules. He likes to be the boss, and he isn’t afraid to show it.
  • When we first meet Wolverine in ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past,’ he’s a brusque, emotionless killing machine. He doesn’t have much of a filter between his ears, not wanting to hear any excuses from people who get in his way. He’s a loner with a chip on his shoulder, seething with rage at an unfortunate series of events that turned his entire life around. What’s interesting about this version of Wolverine is how he behaves more like a typical superhero and less like a supervillain. He’s definitely an acquired taste, and some might even say that he’s a bit sinister. But that’s more a reflection on the times in which he was created than anything else.
  • Then there’s Bane (Tom Hardy), the terrifying villain who is out to cripple Gotham City and leave it in darkness. He’s an incredibly dangerous man, and not in a good way. He’s been described as a cross between the Joker and The Terminator, and the description is rather apt. He’s emotionless, he doesn’t care about anybody but himself, and he’ll stop at nothing to achieve his goals. In a nutshell, he’s a villain that you don’t want to cross, let alone fight.

The Similarities In Their Upbringings

Another way in which John Wick and Wolverine are similar is in their upbringings. Like the titular characters, both Robert Pattinson and Tom Hardy were born in England and raised in boarding schools. And like John Wick, Robert Pattinson spent some time at Cambridge University. In fact, he was once even roommates with the legendary director John Wick. It’s been noted how much of a cinematic influence John Wick had on the actor’s work, and it’s not hard to see why. The cinematography alone is breathtaking; one of Wick’s signature moves is to slowly pull back the camera, watching his opponent’s every move without ever showing his own.

That’s pretty much all the introduction you need to know about Robert Pattinson and why he would make such an excellent Wolverine. But if you’re still curious, here are some additional interesting facts about him: