It’s no secret that the “Batman and Robin” dynamic was one of the highlights of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. The dynamic, chemistry, and comedy among the two actors was priceless. If you grew up in the 90’s, you likely remember watching the pair of them on TV whenever you wanted to laugh or cry. But, it wasn’t just Christopher Nolan’s movies that made these two memorable characters. Since the inception of the franchise in 1989, there have been numerous cameos and rumors of a potential solo Batman movie involving Robert Pattinson. Here, we’ll walk you through the fascinating history of this odd couple and the potential implications for a future Batman movie.
Pattinson’s First Meeting With The Dark Knight
The first we hear of Robert Pattinson is while he’s still starring in Twilight as Edward Cullen. After the movie’s release, he discusses with Total Film”s Matt Dray how it was different portraying a vampire. He mentions meeting with Christopher Nolan before the film’s premiere and how he was really passionate about playing the billionaire Bruce Wayne.
“I had just finished doing [Twilight”], and I felt like I needed a break, so I went to Los Angeles to write a screenplay. And that’s when I met Christopher [Nolan]. I didn’t know anything about the Batman franchise, but I really liked the way he talked about it, and I thought it was real interesting. So, I sent him my screenplay, and he liked it, and that’s pretty much how it started. “
Randy Quaid And Dennis Quaid Mention Pattinson In Their Comedy Spoof Film
Not even a week after his first meeting with the Dark Knight, the actor is featured in another interview talking about the movie he had just finished shooting in Vancouver. This time, he’s discussing the comedy film Quaids”, which he also wrote. In the film, Randy and Dennis Quaid’s characters name drop Batman and Robin, and they even make a crack about how much of a “fanboy” Pattinson is. The scene is dated 10/22/14, which means it was likely shot before the start of production on the aforementioned “Twilight” film. So, while it could be a coincidence, perhaps the actor has found a way to insert himself into these projects even before he has met with Nolan.
Pattinson Continues To Insinuate Himself Into Filmic History
Just a few weeks after Quaids”, Pattinson is already hard at work on his next script. Titled “The Lighthouse”, it’s a horror movie about a father and his two young children trapped on an island with a deranged killer. He discusses with Deadline how he got the job and how he had to work quickly to finish the script in time for its July release date.
“We had a whole sequence where I had to make a sandcastle, and I had to find the right colors for it,” he said. “And I don’t know if it’s gonna make the final cut, but it was a lot of fun to shoot. And that was another scene where I was in a car with my dog [Marley], and we were getting chased by a crazed killer on a motorbike. It was fun!”
Pattinson Reveals He Almost Played The Joker
After shooting “The Lighthouse,” Pattinson took some time off before heading back to work on his next movie. During this hiatus, he apparently met with Jared Leto, who was at the time best known for his work in “My So-Called Life.” Leto had auditioned for, but was ultimately not selected to star in, DC’s highly-acclaimed TV series “The Joker.” So, he decided to try out for the movie instead. It was a role he had always wanted to play, and one he felt he was perfectly suited for.
“Jared was the only person who came close to what I imagine the Joker’s looks like. But, at the same time, he’s young and very innocent, which I think is more interesting,” Pattinson said at the time. “He’s a nice guy, and he seems like a really good actor, but he’s never been given the opportunity to play this role, and I think he’s more suited for it.”
Pattinson Wants To Play Batman More Than Any Other Character
This was clearly not the first time Pattinson had thought about playing Batman. In fact, he had mentioned in multiple interviews that he would love to play the Dark Knight one day. It’s not clear if he truly meant it at the time, but now that he’s worked with Nolan on two of his films, perhaps he’s found the perfect way to play the character. Of all the characters he’s played, he feels that Batman is the one he had the most fun with and wants to play the most often.
The Dark Knight And Its Impact
With 2012 comes the beginning of a new era for Batman. Thanks in large part to Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, the franchise is now a full-fledged member of the mainstream pop culture lexicon. The Dark Knight was the first comic book movie ever to make $100 million at the US box office, and it went on to become the highest-grossing film of the year, earning over $400 million worldwide.
The film is remembered for its unprecedented level of violence, grittiness, and dark themes. While some may argue that the content was too much for kids to handle, the success of The Dark Knight proved that not everyone wants their children around when they go to the movies.
Pattinson’s Evolution As An Actor
If you ask anyone who knows Robert Pattinson, they’ll tell you he’s an incredibly hard worker. Despite being one of Hollywood’s most in-demand stars, he continues to push himself to achieve more. He doesn’t just act, he writes, directs, and produces his own films. He also enjoys a varied and demanding performing schedule, often showing up in several films at once. If he had his way, he’d probably play Batman every week.
So, while it was once an unlikely pairing, it appears that Robert Pattinson may be the perfect actor to play Batman. He’s got the right mix of charm and danger, and he seems determined to make the character his own. For years, fans had been asking for an R-rated Batman movie, and with “The Dark Knight Rises” comes the possibility of seeing the character fight through his paces in a violent manner. It would be interesting to see what a fully mature Batman would look like, and perhaps that’s what these upcoming films will show.