Many people forget that movie stars aren’t just glamorous celebrities sitting in front of the camera, but actual workers who have to gear up every day and night to make sure the cameras are always rolling. While the job can be frustrating at times, it doesn’t get much more rewarding than seeing your hard work pay off in the form of a great film that launches a career.
It’s almost hard to believe that one of the greatest actors of our time actually began his cinematic career without even knowing it. Back in 1991, when Robert Pattinson was still living in England and acting locally, he had absolutely no idea that his passion for cinema would lead to this amazing career. After landing a part in a French movie, À la recherche du temps perdu, he decided to move to Los Angeles to learn more about acting and to pursue a career in Hollywood.
Twenty years later, here we are. Pattinson is arguably one of the most in-demand actors of our time, with an incredible track record in both movies and TV shows. He’s proven himself to be a versatile actor who can play anything from a snobbish aristocrat to a doting father, and he’s established himself as one of Hollywood’s most reliable leading men. What’s more, he continues to thrive in the ever-changing world of cinema, establishing himself as a firm fixture in an industry that rarely gets to rest on its laurels.
To commemorate this incredible milestone in his acting career, let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable milestones from the past twenty years.
Turning Point
After ten years on the scene, it’s safe to say that Hollywood had learned to fear Robert Pattinson. With a string of misfires that included the widely panned Venom and the disappointingly underwhelming Galaxina, it seemed that the actor had finally found his groove with the critically acclaimed 2012 movie The Snowman, in which he plays an alcoholic struggling with addiction. While certainly not perfect, the film introduced a new vulnerability to Pattinson’s otherwise impenetrable on-screen persona. It would be two years before he would appear in another movie, but in the meantime, he kept busy appearing in TV shows like Mr. Robot and The Walking Dead, and the video game Far Cry 5.
Then, in April of this year, it was announced that a sequel for The Snowman was in the works, which will again see Pattinson starring as Charlie, the troubled alcoholic antihero. Titled The Snowman: Avalanche, the film is currently in post-production, with an anticipated release date of 2022.
Multi-Billion Dollar Studio
Even before he became a superstar, it was clear that Robert Pattinson had a special connection to money. When he was younger, his family spent a good deal of their time traveling and living in fancy hotels. In fact, his mother has even credited him with being “more financially motivated than I was,” adding that he would throw temper tantrums whenever they didn’t have enough money to buy a toy that he saw on TV. This connection to finances definitely carried over into his adult life, as he’s often been linked to some of the most powerful studios in Hollywood. He not only starred in the financially successful Twilight saga, but was also considered for the lead role in the Bond film, No Time to Die. He’s also had a hand in the creation of a number of major franchises, working on projects based on the Harry Potter and Mortal Kombat games, among others.
While it’s great that these franchises helped him financially, it’s important to remember that it’s still difficult for an actor to make a living wage in Hollywood, especially now that ticket sales have decreased and video on demand services have proliferated.
Versatile Actor
With a career that spans both film and television, it’s clear that Robert Pattinson is a true master of both mediums. While he began his film career in earnest in the early 2000s, it wasn’t until the 2010s that he started to rack up the big- and small-screen credits. It’s not just limited to appearances in the major motion pictures that made him famous, either. He’s frequently been called upon to lend his talents to some of the world’s biggest and most successful TV series, including Netflix’s Stranger Things, where he’s currently filming the second season.
Pattinson’s versatility is one of the main reasons behind his skyrocketing profile. While many actors get pigeonholed into playing one specific type of character, Pattinson continues to show that he’s capable of playing many different roles. He’s proven himself to be an adept craftsman, honing his craft and continuously evolving his technique as he goes. This is a rare quality amongst actors, who are generally content to rest on their laurels once a project is completed.
The question now is whether or not this versatility will be enough to land him his next big project. He’s currently in talks with Warner Bros. about playing the lead in a live-action Darkwing Duck film. While it’s not yet certain that this project will hit the big-screen, it’s a sure bet that if it does, it will be one of the biggest and most popular superhero movies of all time.
Influential
Since the start of this decade, there’s been a steady stream of praise and appreciation for Robert Pattinson. Even if you haven’t heard of him, it’s hard to believe that you haven’t at least seen his work. He is arguably one of the most influential actors working today, with a significant impact on both the indie and mainstream scenes. You might recognize some of the projects that he’s had a hand in creating, including the upcoming Darkwing Duck film. While we await word on whether or not this film will actually get made, it’s clear that Robert Pattinson is still playing an important role in Hollywood, even two decades later.