You may know that Robert Pattinson is best known for playing the vampire, Edward Cullen, in the Twilight Saga. But, the actor has also starred in a number of critically acclaimed films, such as The Lost Boys and The Water Diviner. Even before his acting career took off, Pattinson was determined to create a life for himself outside of Hollywood. In 2013, the 27-year-old finally succeeded, moving to Tokyo with his boyfriend, filmmaker Matt Headey. Now, the British actor is opening up about his new lifestyle in an interview with Parade. Here, we’re taking a look at some of Robert Pattinson’s most memorable movie moments that will inspire you to move to Japan and pursue a high life.
Breaking Into Hollywood
Pattinson began his acting career in 2010, when he starred opposite Reese Witherspoon in the film adaptation of the Bridget Jones’ Diary. Since then, he’s appeared in Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid and opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in the acclaimed biopic, The Wolf of Wall Street. However, it wasn’t until 2013 that Pattinson’s biggest break came, when he was cast as the lead in the British gangster-romance film, The Lost Boys. Directed by Joel Schumacher, the film follows a group of friends who become trapped in a gang war when one of them kills the leader of a rival clan. Pattinson stars as Bill, a British gang leader who befriends a mute young boy named Andy, played by Egyptian-Canadian singer, Elwan Rami.
The Lost Boys was a major step up from the type of films that Pattinson usually appeared in. Starring in a Schumacher film was a real change of pace for the 27-year-old. But it was also a big break for him, as the film’s script was based on a true story and Schumacher saw something special in the actor. “I thought he’d be perfect for the role,” Schumacher said. “He has that quality of someone who can be the most charming guy in the world, but there’s also something dangerous about him. I thought he’d be perfect for the part.”
Even before The Lost Boys, Pattinson was already making a name for himself in Hollywood. In fact, he reportedly turned down a role in the 2012 film, The Hobbit, due to scheduling conflicts with The Twilight Saga. However, the British actor is still credited with helping to launch the careers of numerous up-and-coming actors, including Game of Thrones’ Alissa Anderson and The Handmaid’s Offred. During an interview with Parade, Pattinson admitted that his Twilight Saga co-star, Anderson, specifically thanked him for the role she landed in 2014.
An Important Role In Asian Cinema
While breaking into Hollywood, Pattinson also became one of its most important actors, appearing alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill in The Wolf of Wall Street. Set in Tokyo in the 1980s, the film focuses on an American stockbroker (DiCaprio) who comes into conflict with the Japanese police and the yakuza (Hill), the Japanese mafia. In the midst of all the mafia violence and drug addiction, the role of a lifetime finally came for Pattinson. He had to speak Japanese and, for the first time in his career, be relegated to the supporting role of a middle-aged white man in an Asian film. But, despite the change in roles, DiCaprio still saw something special in the British actor. “I genuinely think that he was born to play this character,” the actor said. “He is such an expert at playing opposite characters and putting on different personas. That is what is so great about this character.”
Pattinson’s portrayal of a Japanese businessman, Tadamasa Taira, wasn’t just limited to acting. He actually spent several months in Tokyo, living with the city’s native population and imitating their speech and mannerisms. For those interested in Japanese culture, this was certainly an interesting look into what it means to be a foreigner in another country. Even more interesting is that while in Tokyo, Pattinson was also given the opportunity to study Japanese history and culture, something he admits he never would have had the chance to do, had he not moved to Asia.
Matching Wits With Tarantula
Pattinson’s acting career finally came to a head in 2015, when he reprised his role as Edward Cullen in the blockbuster franchise, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2. Co-starring with Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, the film brings an end to the Twilight Saga, as well as the acting career of the British actor. Breaking Dawn – Part 2 was a critical and commercial success, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2015. But, perhaps what is most remarkable is that, at the age of 27, the British actor is entering the realm of Hollywood’s elite.
In the years since, he has continued to appear in critically acclaimed films. Most recently, he starred in the HBO miniseries, The Night Of, based on Richard Price’s novel, A Night Of, A Room Of And A City Of. The film chronicles the last 24 hours of the life of Stephen Vincent Foyle, a well-known New York restaurateur. It was shot in part on location in New York City and in part in the film’s eponymous city, where the main characters live.
To follow this up, Pattinson will next appear in Luc Besson’s new film, The Hundredth Night, where he plays a vampire who has an affair with a Japanese woman (Naomi Osaka). The British actor is also attached to star in the next installment of the Fantastic Beasts movie series, based on J.K. Rowling’s popular book, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The latest entry in the series, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, will be released in November 2018.
Creating A Life In Tokyo
Pattinson’s life took a major turn in 2013, when he moved to Tokyo with his boyfriend, filmmaker Matt Headey. While living in Japan, the actor pursued further education, earning a master’s degree in Japanese Culture and History from Komaba University. During this time, he also began hosting events, such as open mics and film screenings for his overseas fans, inviting them to his home in Tokyo. In addition to this, he also began writing a column for The Japan Times, discussing British and Japanese culture and issues relevant to both countries.
But, now that he’s completed his studies in Japan, the 27-year-old has decided to remain in the country. In an interview with Parade, Pattinson said that he feels “blessed” to have been able to live in Japan for a year. “I feel like I grew up a little bit slower than everybody else,” he said. “I feel like I have this heightened perception of things and I notice little things that a lot of people might miss.”
The Biggest Challenge
Despite all of this, Pattinson’s biggest challenge wasn’t acting. It was finding the time to fit his study schedules around his busy acting career. “I have a pretty full plate,” he said. “I feel like I am constantly performing, whether it is with my studies or my events or my column. I feel like I never really stop.” Luckily, he found the time to fit his studies in, thanks to his flexible schedule as an actor. Still, he admits that this was something of a trial-and-error process. “I would study for a couple of hours, go for a walk, come back, study some more and then nap,” he said. “I would wake up at like 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. and go for a run, come back, study some more and then go for a swim. Then, I would study some more after the swim. I think that is how you find time in Tokyo. You just make it.”
Even now, with his career as an actor behind him, Pattinson is looking to further his education. “I am still very much a student,” he said. “I love spending my time in academia, in libraries, studying. I would rather do that than go to a club and get wasted.”