When it comes to his work, Robert Pattinson is pretty consistent. Since 2010, the actor has stuck with one style of movie: comic books. And according to his latest chat with the Sunday Times, he’s bored of it. The “Batman” star says he wants to try something new, but until then, he’ll continue to appear in films based on Marvel and DC Comics (with a shout-out to James Bond in “Spectre”).
But while we wait for the “Batman” star to make a major change, it might be worth looking back at some of his previous roles to see how he’s evolved as an artist.
Wolverine
Released in 2016, “X-Men: Apocalypse” saw the mutant hero return in an attempt to save the day. With a bit part in “Batman” and the lead role in “X-Men”, it was clear that this was a bit part for the actor. And, indeed, he mostly stands and watches as the story unfolds around him. But even in this comparatively small role, Pattinson was able to showcase an incredible amount of talent. Even more so when you consider that he had to fit around his extensive filming schedule for “The Twilight Saga”. The stand-alone “Apocalypse” marked a turning point in his career. Not only did it prove that he could handle the sci-fi genre, but it also led to other interesting offers. In 2019, he’s set to star in “Knucklehead,” a buddy cop movie where he plays a rival to Nicolas Cage’s title character. If “Apocalypse” was a new beginning for Pattinson, “Knucklehead” will be his return to form. (He’s also set to star in “Midsommar,” a horror film due out this year.)
Fantastic Four
In 2015 and 2016, Pattinson reunited with his “Twilight” co-stars to star in two “Fantastic Four” films. While his characters were originally intended to be supporting roles in “The Fantastic Four” (which he co-starred in alongside Kate Winslet and Rose Byrne), Pattinson made such an impression that he was given the leading role in the sequel, “The New Mutants”. As an actor, he brings an intensity to the screen that hasn’t been showcased before. The comic book genre allows for an incredibly unique performance, and it was clear that “Fantastic Four” was going to be a break from his usual type of role. Directed by Josh Trank, the film is considered a disappointment due to its uneven script and underwhelming production values. But even with its flaws, it was still an interesting experiment that saw Pattinson venture into another genre. Sadly, he won’t be returning to that role anytime soon. Aside from the occasional indie comic, he’s stuck with the Marvel and DC pack since then.
Guardians Of The Galaxy
One of the highlights of 2014 was “Guardians Of The Galaxy,” the first of what would become a trio of collaborations with the Russo Brothers. The action-adventure film saw the stars of “The Avengers” step out of their superhero roles to show off their comedy chops. While Robert Downey Jr. was able to showcase his dramatic skills, it was Chris Pratt who stole the show as the lovable loser Star-Lord. The film marked a major turning point for Pratt’s career. Prior to “Guardians,” he was mostly known for his comedic roles. But in what was arguably his biggest role to date, he impressed audiences with his comic rendition of a spoiled rich kid. Interestingly enough, Pratt had originally auditioned for the role of Peter Parker (aka Spider-Man), but was turned down. When Chris Evans (aka Captain America) dropped out of the running to play the role of Tony Stark/Ironman, Marvel decided to give Pratt the part. The film also marked a creative peak for director James Gunn. As a comedy writer and actor, he was able to marry his two passions in “Guardians” and, as a result, one of the biggest hits of the year. It also saw the breakout of Zoe Saldana, who played the role of Gamora. Since then, she’s gone on to appear in a number of Marvel films. In 2020, she’ll star in “Shazam!,” the DC Comics adaptation written and directed by Billy Bob Thornton. (Photo: Marvel Studios/Disney Enterprises)
Spectre
The year 2020 will mark the 100th anniversary of James Bond. To celebrate, Sony Pictures decided to use the “Spider-Man” actor for their tribute to the British agent. For fans of the original “James Bond,” it was a dream come true. While the majority of the film will see Tom Hardy assume the role, it was a chance to see Peter Parker in another genre: a Bond film. While the critics were divided upon release, many believed that it was one of the best Bond films in years. The film also marked the directorial debut of Andy Serkis, who will serve as an executive producer on the next film in the series, “Bond 25”. After wrapping production on “Spider-Man”, Hardy went on to star in “Joker,” a gritty take on the iconic archvillain. The role won him a Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor. While the film itself was panned by critics, Hardy’s portrayal of the titular character was noted for being “believable” and “predictable.” Following his supporting role in “Joker,” he’ll star in a lead role in the upcoming fantasy flick, “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword,”, written and directed by Guy Ritchie.
The Batman
The year 2022 will mark the 100th anniversary of the infamous “Batman” character. To commemorate the occasion, Warner Bros. decided to pair up with the Russo Brothers – the directors of “Guardians” – to bring the caped crusader to the big screen. While it will be the third time that Robert Pattinson has played Batman on screen (the first being the two “Batman” films with Michael Keaton), it will also be the first time that he has played the part since he began his Twilight Saga. Since then, he’s mostly stuck with supporting roles in comic book adaptations, although he did star in the indie hit, “Death Note” in 2020. The Russo brothers have already expressed their desire to pair up with the “Twilight” actor on future projects. When asked if he wanted to play Batman again, he joked, “Of course, I do. I love playing Batman.” While there’s no official word yet on whether or not “The Batman” will be released in 2022, the film’s director, Matt Reeves, has said that he hopes to bring the film to theaters by Christmas 2022. (Photo: Warner Bros.)