Just when you thought the news never stops, here comes another bombshell. The latest casting news to hit the internet is that Robert Pattinson is in talks to play the villain in an upcoming live-action movie. The news was first reported by Variety, and it has since been picked up by numerous other publications.
The role will see Pattinson play a billionaire who builds a super-charged car out of fear and anger. The actor is said to be over the moon about the role, as he fits the description perfectly. Most importantly, the role will present him with a whole new set of skillset, which will no doubt serve him well in future roles.
Here, we’ll examine the validity of the latest news about the Batman villain’s car, as well as which other famous super vehicles he may soon be joining in an upcoming movie. Read on and find out more.
Is This The Next Big Thing?
Yes, in the last few years, we’ve seen a resurgence in the popularity of superheroes and their associated vehicles. The most well-known example is the “Avengers” films, which saw the unveiling of the so-called “Avengers’ cars”. While we’ve seen some famous faces before in superhero costumes, the likes of Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, these were mostly cameo appearances. But with Marvel Studios now owning the rights to all of superheroes, it was only a matter of time before they turned their attention to cars as well.
And thus the Avengers’ cars were born. Most comic book fans will remember the excitement that surrounded the release of these movies. Especially since we weren’t quite sure what to expect. First, we didn’t know if Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr.) would manage to keep his car collection. Then there was the whole Ironman thing. But aside from those two minor details, we were presented with a whole new world of automobiles that we’d never seen before.
As exciting as those first Avengers movies were, it was still more of a joy to see these iconic cars on screen. More than anything, it was proof that the movie industry had indeed taken a liking to these amazing machines. Especially since for the most part, they were faithful depictions of the cars from the comics. Pretty cool, right?
A Whole New World Of Automobiles
While comics didn’t really need superheroes to tell great stories, it was the cinematic medium that laid the groundwork for today’s car culture. And it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the cinematic universe helped to redefine what a car is, as we know it. The cars from that universe are instantly recognizable, and they’ve become some of the most iconic images in cinema. Especially when combined with the images of the characters who drive them.
A car isn’t just a four-wheeled vehicle that you get in traffic. It’s a symbol of power and success. And for the most part, that’s how Hollywood viewed them as well. The car collection of an average movie star in the 1950s was a testament to that. It wouldn’t be surprising to see this newfound interest in cars translate to interest in motorbikes as well.
In other words, it was the movies that changed all of that. Prior to this point in time, cars were used mainly for transport, and that was about it. But thanks to the cinematic universe, they became much more than that. And it’s that fresh take on what a car is that continues to be relevant today. Because even now, more than half a century later, we’re still fascinated by these amazing machines.
More Than Meets The Eye
So, what exactly is it that draws our attention to these cars, aside from their novelty factor? Several factors probably contribute to the charm of these vehicles. To begin with, they’re cool. We all know that Hollywood loves a good villain, and these cars represent the perfect opportunity to shine. In addition, they’re interesting. Even those who are not particularly knowledgeable about automobiles will have heard of these cars, which have become synonymous with evil and success. But probably the most important factor is that they’re different. And that’s what makes them interesting. While we’ve seen various vehicles used by superheroes in various films, these are essentially prototypes. Rarely do we see any of them on the road, let alone racing against each other. So in a way, these are like Hollywood car museums, albeit in living color.
If you’ve ever been to a comic book convention, then you probably noticed that the cars there aren’t just props. They’re there to inspire the imagination of the fans. Sometimes, this can mean that they’re slightly altered from their standard form. Other times, it means that they’re there in all their glory. Seeing these cars in person is like witnessing a time capsule that retraces Hollywood’s history of automobiles. From the flapper era to the roaring 20s, we get a glimpse of what a car could look like, and it gives us a sense of déjà vu. In a way, it’s a little eerie.
A Whole New Language
So, if you’re a fan of vintage cars, then you might be tempted to collect them. But that’s not necessarily the case. For the most part, Hollywood has associated these cars with evil and success. And that’s not something that goes hand-in-hand with traditional car collecting. Therefore, those who do collect them usually do so because of this stigma. But if that’s not your thing, then you could still be inspired by these cars without necessarily owning one. That’s what makes them so intriguing.
It’s not just the cars themselves that are interesting, but the fact that we’ve never seen them on the big screen. It’s almost as if these are alternate timelines. Alternate universes if you will. In some cases, the cars from these films are so rare that they’re considered priceless. So whenever one is destroyed or stolen, the damage is truly irreparable. In other cases, they might be more commonplace. But even then, they’ll never lose their special status. A whole new language has been created, and it’s one that we continue to learn new words and phrases for every passing day.
All Seeing Eyes
There’s also the factor of the eye whites. Back in the day, whenever a movie studio wanted to indicate that someone was staring at them from the other side of the camera, they’d blacken the eyes of the characters in the scene. And while that’s not really relevant to the conversation at hand, it’s interesting to note that nowadays, it’s almost always the villains who get the whitewashed eyes treatment. That’s probably because the heroes no longer have to worry about being mistaken for bad guys, now that they’re mostly good guys. But it’s still a visual style that has remained popular, even though it’s been eclipsed by other cinematic fashions.
A Whole New Approach
Aside from all of this, it’s not quite right to say that these are just cars that we’ve seen before in other films. These are cars that we never knew existed! For the most part, they don’t fit into any particular trend or era. Although sometimes, it’s tough to tell if they’re fashioned after any particular design, they often borrow elements from various periods in automotive history. This is most apparent in the styling of some of these cars. But it’s not just the exterior that defies categorization, but the entirety of it. Take for example, the menacing Grim Reaper. Besides being the villain, he’s also the main character’s father. And in a way, it’s as if he represents all that is evil and frightening in the automotive world. And that’s not an easy role to play. Especially since he has to remain terrifying, even after the hero has grown up and left home.
So, in looking for new villains, what exactly do Hollywood search engines look for? Well, you don’t need to be a millionaire entrepreneur to play the bad guy in today’s films. The search engines will find you. And it might not even take long before you’re on your way to fame and fortune. Especially if you play your cards right. Which is exactly what Tony Stark does in Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War”. And it’s very possible that the success of this film will have a significant impact on the future of motor vehicles in Hollywood. Since that’s where these stories usually begin.