It’s been a rough 18 months for Robert Pattinson. First there was the split from his long-term girlfriend, Kristen Stewart. Then, a few months later, he was spotted kissing another girl in Spain. Since then, he’s been through a series of breakups and makeups. This January, he’s back with a bang, starring in two major films that are set to premiere at the same time: Birds of Prey (and the upcoming Bombshell) and Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.
Even though he’s constantly in the press, the 32-year-old actor is quick to point out that this is the first year that he’s been truly happy in a long time. And he’s brought that positivity to his work. With a career that spans four decades, he’s played a wide range of characters, from Hamlet to Elmo in Up! to The Joker in The Dark Knight. But he’s perhaps best known for his role as Cedric Diggory in the Harry Potter film series. When asked about his decision to return to the big screen, he told Entertainment Weekly, “I’m just happy to be working and feeling creatively confident, and I really want to celebrate that with the fans.”
The year 2022 will mark the 80th anniversary of the Harry Potter series, and fans will no doubt be thrilled to see Pattinson back in front of the camera. But it’s not the only reason he’s decided to return to the big screen. In fact, he’s played a trick on us by giving two distinct reasons for his return. First, he wants to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Potter books. And second, he wants to shed light on some of the darker aspects of the series. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, he said, “I want people to see that there’s a lot more to Harry Potter than people think. I wanted to explore some of the ideas behind the scenes.”
While we await the premiere of the highly anticipated Harry Potter series, let’s take a trip back in time to the start of the last decade, where we meet Robert Pattinson in the most recent film adaptation of the bestselling book series. After a decade-long absence from the big screen, he returned as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. As a result of his involvement in the Potter franchise, Pattinson’s next step was to become a brand ambassador for the luxury goods company Burberry.
An Ambassador For Burberry, A Master Of Adaptation
Burberry may not be a household name, but you might recognize the company’s bags, as they’ve been featured on the red carpet multiple times. What is perhaps even more remarkable, however, is the diverse range of characters that Burberry have used to promote their products. In addition to featuring bags, the company has used fashion icons like Celine Dion, Helena Bonham Carter, and even Prince Charles to encourage people to buy their products. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Burberry Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey said of his collaborator, “He’s an absolute genius at adapting himself to the situation. When we first met, I knew we would work well together.”
Even more impressive is the fact that many of the characters that Bailey has worked with are iconic figures, names even today, like Céline Dion and Helena Bonham Carter. But he’s not one to braggadocio, either, admitting that while some people might consider him an expert in lifestyle PR, he actually leans more towards creative direction. He told Entertainment Weekly, “I love being able to take someone else’s story and give it my spin on it. With Burberry, I’ve had the opportunity to do that with Céline, Helena, and Prince Charles, and I’ve always enjoyed that.”
One of the key reasons for Burberry’s affinity for the Harry Potter franchise is its unique structure, which provides a perfect opportunity to experiment with creative direction. The company’s founder, Thomas Burberry, was a member of the Quidditch team in the 1920s, which is why they’re so invested in the sport. But it wasn’t until the 1990s that they began to capitalize on its global popularity, and today, they’re one of the most successful lifestyle brands in the world, with a design house in London, a fragrance line, limited-edition handbags, and even an outdoor-wear line.
From Harry To Hobbes: A Decade of Evolution
While we’re on the subject of unique brands, it’s only fair to say that their advertising tactics can get pretty interesting. Take the case of Hobbes the dog, a character that would eventually become the basis of the fictional Hobbes the Tyrannosaurus Rex. In an elaborate 2020 ad campaign for Hobbes, the four-legged canine star is shown living a full and luxurious life, complete with a butler to attend to his every need. The ad campaign, which is an extension of the dog food brand Friskies, highlights the unique challenges that owning a dinosaur face can present. While some might see this as an example of over-the-top advertising, the ad campaign is actually designed to be fun and entertaining, and it’s interesting to see how a creative agency has turned this dog’s life into something that could almost be mistaken for human drama.
This past year has seen the ups and downs of Robert Pattinson’s romance and film career, as well as that of many other stars. But one can only hope that 2022 will see stars working hard to make their fans proud.