Robert Pattinson is one of the most famous Hollywood stars. He is known for his collaborations with director Christopher Nolan, especially The Dark Knight Trilogy. In 2012, he starred in the movie Snow White and the Huntsman as Prince Charming, which was a comeback role for the actor. In 2017, he played the iconic role of Peter Parker / Spiderman in the blockbuster movie Spiderman: Homecoming. In 2018, he reprised his role as Peter Parker / Spiderman in the hit movie Spiderman: Far From Home. Currently, he is starring in the Netflix series WISH YOU WERE HERE.
In 2019, it was confirmed that Pattinson would be playing the role of Batman in the next installment of the Batman series, directed by Matt Reeves. Fans of the Batman franchise have been eagerly awaiting this news for years. While some might think that the casting of Pattinson as Batman is a step forward for diversity in Hollywood, others might disagree, especially since the actor is best known for his bad boy image. The question is: should you root for or condemn Pattinson’s Batman? Let’s explore.
Root For The Batman
When it comes to Hollywood and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s usually black vs white. The same goes for the DC Extended Universe. These are universes built on teamwork and collaboration, with many individuals coming together from various backgrounds to make a movie. While the world of comics is not as diverse as Hollywood or the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s always been about bringing the fun and action-packed stories to the big screens.
Many individuals who love comics also love the Batman franchise. It’s about time that some of those characters got adapted for the big screen. Besides, why shouldn’t Batman, the dark knight, be played by a dark-skinned man? We often see people of color featured prominently in superhero comics, so to see a colorful, dynamic, and athletic personality like Pattinson play a character who is often associated with a gray area in society is something new.
That being said, not everyone will appreciate or respect the decision to have Robert Pattinson play Batman. Some fans of the Batman franchise might find it offensive or insulting that a white actor is playing a character made famous for its gritty realism and non-conformity. Some might even take it as a personal offense that a married man with children is playing a role that is often associated with someone younger and single. There might be a few haters out there, but they are in the minority.
Condemn The Batman
As a lifelong fan of Batman, it might be hard for me to root for someone who is playing the character. I have mixed feelings about this casting. On one hand, I think it’s a great move to have an actor of color play an iconic white character. On the other, it’s hard for me to deny that I have a soft spot in my heart for the Batman franchise. Much like my love for Spiderman and his adventures, I have a special place in my heart for Batman. It’s not just about having a character of color play a character that is often associated with being white. It’s about seeing a character that was created for and by white men get represented by a person of color. While we’re not there yet, we’re definitely heading in the right direction.
There are a few individuals, mostly white men, who will feel hard-pressed to deny that they are the masters of their own domain, the realm of comics. These are the sorts of people who will feel personally offended or affronted that someone else is putting their own twist on their creation. While we might see more varied representation in the coming years, for now, we can rest assured that the Batman franchise, in all of its glory, still belongs to the white man.
Make A Balanced Decision
Yes, Robert Pattinson is an excellent actor and I’m sure the role of Batman will be very engaging for audiences. However, we need to keep in mind that this is still a work in progress. We don’t yet know how this project is going to turn out, so we should give it some time before we pass judgment. I think it’s best to be patient and see how things play out. If you’re going to criticize something, it might be better to do it after you’ve seen the whole picture, knowing that this is still a work in progress. It’s not like this is a bad idea in theory, it’s just that it’s not yet been done. For now, let’s support the creators who are making this world better.
There are some amazing and talented individuals behind these projects, from the director to the writers to the actors. Although many of them are white men, they’re not the only ones who could play these characters. With great minds behind these projects, I’m sure we’ll eventually see someone of color play a key role in one of these spectacular franchises.