Just because a movie star is good-looking and rich doesn’t mean they have all the answers. In fact, sometimes they don’t even know where to begin. Case in point: Robert Pattinson, who recently wrapped filming on the highly anticipated sequel “Belmont Street.” We caught up with the actor at Austin Film Festival, where he was promoting his new film. We asked him about the evolution of his character, how his life is changed by being an actor, and whether or not he prefers being called the “King of England” instead of his real name.
On The Evolution Of His Character
I think in “Belmont Street” my character is very much still the same, actually. I think he’s learned a lot from the last movie and applied that to his life. He’s become much more mature. I think he’s a bit more aware of his responsibilities as King Louis. He’s also more aware of how his decisions impact other people. So, it’s a continuation of that growth, I think. I don’t want to give too much away, but there are some pretty big twists and turns in the sequel that you won’t see coming.
How Has Being An Actor Changed His Life?
It’s a difficult question to answer because I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to put it into words. When you’re an actor, you’re kind of on a tightrope. You’re balancing on this wire and that wire between acting and reality, and it’s easy to fall off. So, I think, for the most part, my life hasn’t changed that much because I still spend a lot of time working on sets and traveling to different cities. The only difference is that I think I’m a bit more selective about the roles I take on. I try to find the good in every role, however small the role might be, and that makes a difference. Sometimes you have a role that feels more substantial or weighty and you feel like you can bring something new to it. That’s the best feeling as an actor, I think.
How Is He Different After The First Film?
Well, the original movie was based on a real-life crime and the true story that “Belmont Street” is based on. So, I had to go through an extensive criminal record check to even be able to portray Robert Belmont. It was tricky because back then I didn’t have any criminal records to check, so I had to create some for the role. It was a lot of research and a lot of reading, but it was totally worth it. After doing that movie, it changed my life forever. It gave me an insight into something that I’ll never forget. It also made me realize the importance of documentation and legal paperwork. So, I guess in that way, it’s made my life a lot different. It’s also inspired me to become a lawyer, so I guess in a way, I’ll be practicing my trade on Robert’s behalf. I’ll be representing his character in court scenes and arguing his case. So, I think it’s definitely made a difference. On a personal level, I met a lot of great people because of the movie. It definitely put Austin on the map, which is amazing because I’d never even been there before. So, that was unexpected. It was a beautiful experience. On a professional level, it was a great opportunity to showcase Austin and the Texas Bar in a way that will hopefully inspire other lawyers to join the profession. It was a lovely irony that I would become an advocate for the legal profession while also promoting a movie about a criminal.
Does He Prefer Being Called The “King Of England” Instead Of His Real Name?
No, I don’t mind being called Robert. In fact, I’d rather it was applied to myself in a good way, which is why I embrace the fact that people call me that. I think “King of England” is a well-deserved nickname. I don’t know if it’s a great nickname to have, but I’ll take it. I suppose it makes me seem like a humble king, which I suppose I am. I don’t mind being called that either, though. He seems like a nice enough guy, so I don’t know why they don’t just call him Bob or Bobby.
The Best Part Of Doing A Sequel?
Well, as I said before, it’s difficult to put into words. Doing a sequel to a movie that you’ve already done is tricky. You don’t want to just rehash the same old material, but you also don’t want to completely reinvent the wheel, either. So, you try to find a happy medium. “Belmont Street” feels like a natural continuation of the original story, but there are so many new twists and turns that it would be impossible to retrace the events of the first film. So, you want to find the best of both worlds and create something new that both movies can exist in.
One of the best things about “Belmont Street” is that it’s got that nostalgic feeling of being back in High School. You know, when you’re in high school, all your friends are your friends and all your enemies are in the same boat. It feels like the good old days, but the characters are much older than their years. They’ve grown up quite a bit and have experienced a lot more in life than just high school. That’s what’s so appealing about it. It takes you back to that era and lets you join the conversation, even if it is 20 years later.
What’s Next?
Well, I start rehearsals for “The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society” in two weeks. It’s a play that I’m doing with my buddies from the theater company I work for. It’s a crazy schedule, but I love what I do. I’m not sure if I’ll ever get used to working this hard, but I do it because I love it. After that, I’ll probably do a bit of a holiday in Spain with my family, then get back to work on “The Lighthouse,” a movie I’ve been developing with my production company. It’s a horror film that takes place in an abandoned lighthouse. It’s going to be a real challenge to shoot because lighthouses are notorious for being difficult to film. We’ll see how it turns out. We’ve had some really cool concept designs so far and it’s an honor to work on a movie about something so unique and important. Then, who knows? Maybe after that I’ll go back to court and start my practice again. It’s a really interesting life and I wouldn’t change it for the world.