If you follow the acting world, you’d know that Batman body-image issues have plagued Robert Pattinson for years. The fact that he’s playing the Dark Knight onscreen didn’t help matters, either. Between the cape, the cowl, and the tumbler, Pattinson had to deal with criticism regarding his physique from the start.
While filming the latest installment of the Batman franchise, the Great Britain star has spoken about how his body-image issues have since stemmed from his time on set. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Pattinson revealed that, although he never really saw himself as being too thin, he learned to hate his body thanks to a strict diet and exercise regimen. The 28-year-old also said that he’s tried to change how he views himself and his body through art—specifically through the medium of paintball. He spoke fondly of a recent exhibition he helped organize, which featured the works of famous names like Edward Hopper and Jackson Pollock. The piece was inspired by his love for film noir and its associated themes of betrayal and guilt. We couldn’t think of a better way for Pattinson to spend his time now that he’s back on set than helping others to see the beauty within themselves.
The Dark Knight Was More Than Just A Role For Pattinson
Apart from the role of Batman, Pattinson has also taken on a producer role on the latest film in the franchise. The British actor said that being part of The Great British Bakeoff: Masterclass helped to change his outlook on life. Filming the show in December 2016 gave him a taste of what it was like to work on a series, and he credits the experience with helping him to appreciate and enjoy his roles more. He also said that, for the first time in years, he was able to look at his body in the mirror without any negative connotations.
Pattinson’s recent work has also featured more positive body-image messages. The Twilight series’ Breaking Dawn—Part 2, which he shot in 2014, featured an ensemble cast in which Pattinson’s character, Charles, is given a makeover. While on a romantic date, Pattinson’s Charles is faced with a dilemma: Should he eat the brownies that his ex-girlfriend, Emilia, has just served him or save them for later? The answer, it seems, is “later,” as Emilia gives in to his pleas and indulges him. The scene ends with the pair sitting down to enjoy a romantic night with their dessert served on white plates. Although they’re not seen in the film’s final scene, both Emilia and Charles are shown enjoying their meal, with Emilia offering an approving smile as she places her napkin on her lap.
Diet And Exercise Regimen Helped Pattinson Redefine His Image
While promoting the premiere of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 2 in 2014, Pattinson opened up about his weight loss regimen. Asked by Metro if he was nervous about taking on the responsibility of being the film industry’s first “thrilling, romantic vampire,” Pattinson, who had just turned 28, said: “I’ve always been blessed with good looks, so my self-image issues never really kicked in. But I started eating kale and beans, and drinking lots of water. I cut out all the junk food and went for walks instead. I did all of this to try and get into shape for my part in the film. And working with a personal trainer was great—we would do boxing and weight training together and I enjoyed that.”
The results of his efforts are clear to see. In his new film, Good Time, Pattinson plays an addiction counselor who befriends a young man named Jason (played by Dane DeHaan). On set, DeHaan was known to be a stickler for detail when it came to eating and exercise. He followed Pattinson’s diet advice to the letter and worked out multiple times a day. A few weeks into filming, DeHaan lost a substantial amount of weight—enough to make the actor stand out in the crowd.
The pair hit it off right from the start and the 36-year-old actor was inspired to film a part where he and DeHaan bond over their shared interest in painting. The counselor even takes the time to offer some tips on using oil pastels, which the younger man is clearly too eager to learn. And while we doubt that any relationship advice Pattinson may have given to DeHaan has inspired the latter to become a better person, it’s hard not to see the results of his efforts and be inspired by them.
Paintball As Therapy
Paintball is a game that has been around for decades and has recently started to make a comeback in a big way. For those unfamiliar, it is a game in which two teams face off against each other in a battle of marksmanship. One person from each team wears a mask and uses a paintball gun to fire at the other team, who are trying to avoid being hit. In some variants, the players have to stay within a certain perimeter or they’ll be out of the game.
Paintball has been used as a form of therapy for years. While not a medical treatment, psychiatrists and psychologists have used the activity to help patients work through their problems. Players are given a score at the end of the period, based on how well they hit their targets. The higher the score the better, but regardless of how many points you get, it’s about having fun and feeling confident that your side is winning.
Paintball has been a part of Robert Pattinson’s life for a long time. He used to play the game as a child with his brother, Charlie. Later on, when he was in his teens, the game would help him to “find clarity within [his] mental illness.” He would regularly play the game in the family’s back garden in Scotland with his father, Sandy. While filming the latest Batman movie, Pattinson has said that he has gone back to his roots and is using the game as a form of therapy once again.
The actor has spoken about his love for the game and how much it meant to him when he was younger. “There are a lot of wonderful things about paintball,” he told Harper’s Bazaar. “It’s one of my favorite things to do, just because it makes me feel so alive. Even when we were kids, it was always a competition between us and our friends. We’d get really competitive and end up fighting sometimes. But I think it’s great.”
Art As A Means Of Self-expression
Another thing that Pattinson has turned to for self-expression is art. The Twilight actor is a prolific artist and has dedicated a lot of time to exploring different ways to paint. He even has a blog showcasing his work. While he mostly paints in watercolor and oil pastel, he is also open to trying new things. He told Harper’s Bazaar that, while he can’t say that any one piece of work is representative of his entire artistic career, he is constantly trying to find a way to express himself through his art.
Pattinson credits his art professor at Oxford University for helping to open up his creative eye. The instructor, James Parkinson, influenced the young actor by constantly showing him innovative ways of using oils and pastels. It was James Parkinson who convinced Pattinson to try his hand at painting and who encouraged him to take on the role of art director for the 2016 San Francisco Art Fair. It’s just one of the many projects that the two have collaborated on together, which have helped to further Pattinson’s art career and opened up new opportunities for him as an artist.
How Body Image Issues Have Affected Other Hollywood A-Listers
It isn’t just Robert Pattinson who has had body-image issues. As we’ve established, the issue has plagued the British actor for years, and it has also caused problems for other Hollywood A-listers. Here are some of the most interesting facts about body-image issues in Hollywood:
Channing Tatum
If you’ve heard of Channing Tatum, then you know that he’s another A-list actor who has struggled with his body image. The Magic Mike star, who is best known for his role as Jackson Maine in the 2011 hit film, was frequently compared to Hollywood’s It-Girl, Jennifer Lawrence, and the press were very much aware that he and Lawrence had something of a rivalry. While the media may have focused on their differences in aesthetic, the pair’s personalities really clashed and, as a result, their professional relationship was never entirely comfortable.