Robert Pattinson has joked that playing Batman in the upcoming film The Batman was the most challenging role yet. The actor plays the famous superhero in the upcoming live-action adaptation of the DC Comics icon, and had to undergo a drastic weight loss program to play the part.
In an interview with Empire magazine, Pattinson talked about taking on the role: “The idea of playing a superhero in general is pretty daunting, let alone Batman. But when they first came to me with the idea of playing the character, I was like, ‘Yes, I’ll do it.’ Of course, I had to get up to the appropriate weight for the part and shave my head. But other than that, I wouldn’t change a thing. It was an unforgettable experience.”
Director Matt Reeves (Animal Kingdom) also had high praise for his leading man, adding, “I wouldn’t change a thing about Robert. He brought something special to the role that none of the other actors really nailed.”
The Batman is now in theaters. Check out our review of the film above!
From Superman To Batman: The Evolution Of The Comic Book Character
The Batman will be Pattinson’s second attempt at playing the iconic superhero, following his turn as Superman in 2016’s Man of Steel. The two-time Oscar nominee is no stranger to comic book movie roles, having played characters in the Fantastic Four and X-Men franchises.
But even seasoned actors like Pattinson sometimes have trouble stepping out of their comfort zone. Director Matt Reeves said it took him some time to get used to the idea of playing Batman in the film, simply because he’s never really seen a character like the Dark Knight before.
“There’s something intimidating about unfamiliar territory,” Reeves added. “For the longest time, I just couldn’t see it. Then I started reading comics, and all of a sudden, it clicked.”
And according to Reeves, the biggest difference between playing Superman and playing Batman is the mentality behind each character.
“With Superman, the philosophy is basically to protect the Earth and its inhabitants,” Reeves said. “Batman is a vigilante — he thinks the world is out to get him and he’s going to take care of it.”
In an interview with GQ, Pattinson likened playing Batman to being a “real-life action hero.”
“Every night is like a real-life action movie,” Pattinson said. “It’s exhausting physically—you’re awake for most of the night trying to figure out where the next attack is coming from. That said, I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I’ve gotten to play a character that I’ve always dreamed of playing.”
Batman will be released in theaters on May 20, 2018. See our review of the film above!