Why Are There So Few Pictures Of Him?
Most people have probably seen heart-breaking paparazzi pictures of the gorgeous Robert Pattinson. The UK’s best-selling male solo album, the soundtrack to the blockbuster movie [The Dark Knight], and his debut album, all feature the now-iconic “Paparazzi” image.
But if you really want to get a sense of who he is, you need to get past his publicist and go behind the scenes of his life. For over a year, OK Magazine has been running a feature called, “The Making of Robert Pattinson,” chronicling the actor’s everyday life and creating a fascinating profile of an elusive celebrity. The latest issue of OK, on sale now, sees the curtain drawn back on the actor, revealing a more human side to the famous face.
Behind The Scenes Of ‘The Dark Knight’
From humble beginnings in England to becoming one of the most famous faces in the world, Robert Pattinson’s journey has been anything but typical. To begin with, he attended the British acting school, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, after graduating from university. He then went on to star in numerous stage productions, films, and television shows, becoming an internationally recognised name.
One of the stand-out performances of his career was in the 2008 psychological thriller, The Dark Knight. In the film, he plays the dual role of Harvey Dent/Bruce Wayne, the charismatic and wealthy Gotham City mayor/businessman and Batman’s (Christian Bale) alter ego. (Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)
The Dark Knight is perhaps the most well-known of the numerous Batman movies, and one of the highest-grossing films of all time. It was also the last outing for both Christian Bale and Michael Caine, who portrayed Batman and Alfred, respectively. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning several awards, including the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. It was named the best film of 2008 and one of the greatest of all time.
A Curious Mind
The feature film adaptations of the famous DC Comics characters have arguably never been so popular as they are now. In fact, the most recent instalment, The Lego Batman Movie, is set to break box office records when it is released in UK cinemas this month. But how did this happen, and what is the appeal of these films?
One key factor behind the recent explosion in popularity may be that contemporary audiences have grown up idolising the famous characters and their stories. Young adults today grew up watching animated adaptations of the classic Silver Age comics, and many gained an appreciation for the characters and their rich histories through video games and the various pop culture references they contain.
In the words of Professor Doug E. Jones from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law: “When you grow up playing video games or seeing them on TV in the 90s, it becomes very easy to become acclimated to violence and crime as a normal part of life. You don’t really know how deeply this influences behaviour until later in life once you start working in a law school. Suddenly you have students who are more than happy to accept a ‘win-win’ situation where they can walk away with minimal legal repercussions and no punishment.”
The Significance Of Toys R Us In His Life
Although he has never appeared in a film directed by Tim Burton, one of the most notable figures in Robert Pattinson’s life is undoubtedly the master of monsters, painter, and investor, Tim Burton. (Photo courtesy of GQ)
Burton first encountered the actor when he was 15 years old, with the result being a friendship that lasted for life. He went on to collaborate with the young star on several projects, the most notable being Disney’s live-action adaptation of Mulan, for which he received an Academy Award nomination. In fact, Burton even directed the actor in a music video for the song “We Found Love.”
These days, children grow up dreaming of being a real-life hero, and with the right costume and accessories, they could become one too. The appeal of these figures is not just in their ability to save the day, but in the fact that they can evoke powerful emotions in both children and adults alike. (Photo courtesy of GQ)
As well as being a close friend and creative collaborator, Burton has also been the subject of several interviews and profiles in the media, the most recent being a sprawling feature in GQ, “The Art of Tim Burton.” The piece gives an in-depth look into the work of one of the most influential and successful film directors of all time, and offers a fascinating insight into Burton’s extraordinary career.
The Rise Of Instagram
The explosion of popularity and uptake of social media platforms among Gen Z has been nothing short of phenomenal. It would be an understatement to say that the generation born between 1995 and 2012 leads the world in terms of using social media, with one study finding that they use social media for over three hours every day, on average.
This should come as no surprise. Growing up in a world full of social media, where each screen is a potential source of entertainment, inspiration, and information, it’s little wonder that today’s teenagers are so enmeshed in these platforms.
It would be an understatement to say that Robert Pattinson isn’t quite sure what all the fuss is about when it comes to social media. He’s never really been a big fan of the platform, and has taken a minimalist approach to his Instagram account, with just a few snaps a day, mostly of himself or his dogs.
The accounts of almost all of his famous friends and collaborators, meanwhile, are teeming with photos from various red-carpet events, along with plenty of self-portraits. Even his rivalries have turned into a curated scrapbook – the best example being his longstanding rivalry with Leonardo DiCaprio, which was immortalised in an epic, Twitter-inspired battle of taunts that continues to this day. (Photo courtesy of GQ)
One of the main reasons why Robert Pattinson isn’t too bothered about social media is that it’s never really been a driving force in his life. He’s always been more interested in establishing his own identity and pursuing his own dreams, and has never really understood the appeal of trying to fit in with the masses. In an interview with GQ, the actor put it perfectly: “If you want to be famous, you’re famous. If you want to be rich, you’re rich. If you want to be a star, you’re a star. Why does it matter what platform you’re on?”
The Making Of ‘Cosmo Cricket’
One of the defining elements of Robert Pattinson’s professional life is his love of collecting antique furniture and design objects. In addition to his impressive real-life collection, he also has an extraordinary range of furniture and design pieces reproduced in ceramic, which he displays throughout his home. (Photo courtesy of GQ)
This love of interiors led to the creation of his very own design firm, RPattz Design, which offers a distinctive and unique take on vintage designs, incorporating modern twists and luxurious finishes. The result is a breathtaking array of furniture and design pieces, many of which are one of a kind, and not available anywhere else. (Photo courtesy of GQ)
An Unconventional Personal Style
While many fashion-related profiles and interviews with Robert Pattinson focus on his eclectic and unconventional style, which has seen him become a cultural phenomenon, this is only part of the story. To get to the heart of who he is, you have to look behind the scenes of his life – the parts that the press never get to see.
As noted, his early life was a series of unremarkable events that were, in fact, rather extraordinary. He was born in London, the only child of the late actor, Michael Pattinson, and actress Kate Winslet. The family then moved to Los Angeles, where they initially lived in a rented house before purchasing a Spanish-style villa in the Hollywood Hills. This is where the majority of his movies have been shot, a fact that he takes pride in.
One of the most significant events in Robert Pattinson’s life was the sudden, unexpected death of his father in 2006, when he was 53 years old. (Photo courtesy of GQ)
Following this, he and his mother moved to Paris, where he spent a lot of time with his beloved nanny, Grace, whom he credits with helping him to find his voice as an actor. It was also here that he began his acting career, landing small parts in French films and gaining recognition for his work.