Robert Pattinson’s rumored upcoming movie is set for a March 2021 release date, but the director has yet to settle on a title.
The film will mark Pattinson’s first foray into directing, and he’s taking a no-budget approach to production in order to make the movie the way he wants to. After years of relying on major studios to bankroll his film projects, the English actor is finally putting his trust in auteurs and visionaries to bring his vision to life on the big screen.
Why Is It Rumored to Be Set in Portugal?
Fans of the 26-year-old actor may know that he has a passion for both traveling and filming. Based on this, it’s no secret that he’s sought-after for movie offers and has chosen to front and direct a number of films independently. Most notably, his upcoming film is set in Portugal.
The country’s Prime Minister Antonio Costa has confirmed that the production company behind the movie, One Hundred Projects, is based there and that shooting will take place in the city of Porto, in and around the Boavista Film Studios. Filming locations in Spain also have been reported.
It’s been a while since we’ve heard any details about the yet-untitled film, but based on the director’s previous work, it’s safe to assume that he’s chosen to set the movie in Portugal because of its spectacular scenery. For fans of the “Twilight” series, the scenery may look a little familiar.
What Is One Hundred Projects?
Based in Portugal, One Hundred Projects is essentially a production company that was founded by Serguei Melki, an experienced French producer who has worked on high-profile films such as “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.”
According to the company’s website, it specializes in “international co-productions, content strategy, development, production and post-production.”
The company also has offices in London and Madrid, and has managed to attract some well-known talent to its roster, including Oscar-winning production designer Mark Fishkin and costume designer Anna Bowles. The roster also includes a number of accomplished French producers, including Philippe Carreter and Julien Couillard.
This Is One Of The “Twilight” Saga Author’s Last Film Projects
While fans may have been anticipating Pattinson’s first foray into directing, this is not one of the “Twilight” saga author Stephenie Meyer’s last film projects. According to her representative, the author intends to remain actively involved in the film industry by serving on juries and working on projects that she feels passionate about.
This is also not the first time that Pattinson and Meyer have worked together. The British actor has appeared in a number of her films, including 2012’s “Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” and 2019’s “The Son – Vol 1.”
If you’re unfamiliar, the “Twilight Saga” is a series of novels that were turned into award-winning films by Meyer. The series follows the adventures of Bella Swan, who struggles with her relationships with vampires and werewolves while trying to navigate the often-murky waters of high school. Each novel in the series introduced a new group of characters, and subsequent entries continue the story where the previous one left off.
What Does This Film Mean For The Future Of Acting?
With an experienced hand at film and television, it’s no wonder that young actors and aspiring directors flock to him for guidance. While his films don’t always offer much in the way of traditional acting roles, he doesn’t exactly shy away from the big dramatic moments, and has a reputation for working with some of today’s top actors. This is evidenced by the fact that Matt Damson, the head of film at Creative Artists Agency, described him as “the ultimate guide to acting.”
It’s not just about getting the role, either. For those who aspire to become actors, it’s about getting opportunities to show off your skills and gain experience, which Pattinson can provide in spades.
With his unique perspective and encouragement, aspiring actors can grow, learn, and develop their skills, which may in turn lead to more opportunities and a career that’s both satisfying and lucrative. This is certainly good for the industry as a whole and may lead to an eventual paradigm shift in how cinema is made and experienced.
What About The Director’s Cut?
It’s been well over a year since the premiere of “Birds of Prey,” and while it was an intimate, one-night-only showing at the Berlin Film Festival, it was nonetheless the most watched film at the event. Directed by Cathy Yan, the movie tells the story of Black Widow (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and her quest for vengeance after the murder of her family.
The film has yet to be released theatrically in the U.S., but it performed well on Netflix, where it has become a cult hit. A co-writer on the film who worked with director Yan previously described the deleted scenes as offering “a deeper look into the minds of the characters.”
It’s unclear whether or not the scenes will be included in the director’s cut, but if they do, it will likely be something that fans crave, given the film’s critical and commercial success.
What About The Cast?
Although it’s early in the game, it’s already apparent that this is going to be a stacked cast. Aside from Pattinson, the movie boasts names like Eiza Gonzalo, Anjelica Huston, Billie Lourdes, and Danny DeVito, and it seems that everyone has eagerly accepted their roles. It’s also notable that the majority of the cast is either born abroad or of a mixed marriage. While this may seem like an unusual approach for a major studio to take on a production, it’s a common practice for independent filmmakers, and one that may prove fruitful for this particular endeavor.
What About The Script?
One of the reasons that “Birds of Prey” has become so popular is that the story is rich and well-crafted, blending the comic book vibe with a dash of prestige. It also features some fantastic action sequences, which are both thrilling and breathtaking.
This being said, it’s not entirely without its flaws. One of the writers on the film, Christina Hodson, previously opened up about the difficulties that came with adapting the source material, noting that:
“The biggest challenge was probably the fact that the characters are not exactly who you would expect them to be. Black Widow is not your typical superheroine and Hawkgirl is definitely not your typical superhero. The biggest difference between the comic book versions of the characters and what you see on the big screen is that the movie versions of those characters are much more complex, interesting and sometimes even downright bizarre.”
These criticisms are likely to be echoed by many viewers, as this is a story that refuses to stay confined to the pages of a comic book. While there’s no question that the script does its job in terms of turning the source material into a solid narrative, there’s also a danger that it may lose track of its audience, who are more familiar with the source material and may see the film as a poor imitation.
When Can I See It?
While there’s no concrete answer as of yet, it’s been reported that Marvel is in the process of moving the release date of its upcoming “Black Widow” standalone adventure from September 19, 2022 to June 23, 2023. The reason for the date shift is presumably to make room on the calendar for Disney’s “The Odd Couple” and Warner Bros.’ “The Matrix Reloaded,” which are both due to hit theaters in late 2022.
Aside from the previously mentioned “Birds of Prey,” fans of the “Twilight” saga may be interested to know that director Pattinson is also set to helm a third “Twilight” installment. The project is in the very early stages of development, but shooting is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2022.
The news comes as a bit of a surprise, as many fans expected that the director would finally tackle the adventures of Edward Cullen after the end of the “Twilight Saga.” The success of the “Birds of Prey” and “Twilight” franchises may indicate that he sees a gap in the market that he can quickly and effectively fill with a new installment of his popular vampire series. It will be interesting to follow this director’s career over the next few years to see if he lives up to the high standards set by his breakout film.