Robert Pattinson’s new film, What to Expect, is set to hit theaters on January 25th, 2019. While the actor has been in the spotlight for years due to his on-screen romance with Kylie Jenner, his film career took off in 2017 following the success of Casino Royale, in which he played James Bond. Since then, he has starred in several acclaimed films, ranging from Good Time to Twilight – both of which were directed by Taika Waititi (who also produced the actor’s latest film).
While Casino Royale focused on the character of James Bond, highlighting his wit, quick-wittedness, and suave attitude, Waititi’s latest film explores different aspects of the actor’s life and what makes him tick. As the director himself puts it, “I got to follow Bob around and see what he’s really interested in.”
In an interview with Variety, Waititi revealed that he had been a big fan of Pattinson’s since he first saw him on screen and that he was personally responsible for convincing the actor to do What to Expect. “We became friends after that and I kind of pushed him to do this movie,” Waititi said. “I knew he had a story to tell and I knew he could do justice to it. So, I was like, ‘Let’s do this movie.'”
The filmmaker also revealed that the role of Bob Pattinson’s character, Michael, was originally scripted to be a woman. After initially turning down the part, the actor agreed to take it on after Waititi convinced him it would be “more interesting as a man.”
Pattinson’s Directorial Career
Pattinson, who began his acting career in the TV commercials when he was 11 years old, has established himself as one of the most promising directors of his generation. The filmmaker has proven himself time and time again, having gained experience from major productions such as The King’s Speech, Pride, and The Rover. In 2018 alone, he released two acclaimed films, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Twilight – the latter of which was his directorial debut – and has several more films in various stages of production. In the coming months, he will reportedly team up with Waititi once more for The Wind – a period war drama set in the late 1800s that will also star Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton.
Character Study Of An Actor
While Casino Royale was a departure from the typically glamorous world of James Bond, Waititi’s latest film is a character study of sorts, focusing on the personal life of one of the most prominent actors of our time. As the director himself puts it, “What to Expect is about me following Robert around for a year and getting to see more of his side of things than I probably ever would have if I hadn’t got to do this.”
In the film, Bob Pattinson plays Michael, who discovers he is the father of a (mostly) grown daughter, Olivia (played by Charlotte Rampling). Hoping to make amends for his past mistakes, Michael embarks on a journey to find Olivia and try to be a part of her life. Along the way, he meets Kelly (played by Margot Robbie), a self-made millionaire who hires Michael to be her personal assistant and convince her to invest in her new venture, Kelly Fresh Fruits. While initially enthusiastic about the idea, Kelly later expresses concerns about Michael’s past and his ability to keep his promise to Olivia.
Waititi On The Making Of What To Expect
While Casino Royale was an international hit and made over $500 million at the global box office, What To Expect was largely ignored by the mainstream media, with only a handful of reviews appearing in major publications. However, the film has since gained a significant following on social media, accumulating over 500K likes on Instagram and over 200K views on YouTube.
In an effort to make What To Expect more accessible to a broader audience, Toby Ryman, the chief operating officer of Octopus – a media company specialising in film, TV, and web series – revealed to Variety that the company paid $1 million for the global rights to the film and that they had to push back the film’s theatrical release by several months to secure the maximum return on their investment.
The deal also included digital media rights and additional performance royalties for Pattinson, as well as an option to purchase DVD and Blu-ray rights for a future release. Ryman added that the company saw What To Expect as a potential springboard to launch further acquisitions in the near future. “We’re always looking for great stories and characters, and we think that Bob Pattinson is one of the most interesting directors to come along in a while,” Ryman said, “given his mix of high and low – ranging from Prada to pizza – and his international perspective. So, we’re excited to see what he does next.”
Focus On The Man Behind The Camera
While Casino Royale focused on the character of James Bond, highlighting his wit, quick-wittedness, and suave attitude, Waititi’s latest film focuses on different aspects of the actor’s life and what makes him tick. As the director himself puts it, “I got to follow Bob around and see what he’s really interested in.”
In an interview with Variety, Waititi revealed that he had been a big fan of Pattinson’s since he first saw him on screen and that he was personally responsible for convincing the actor to do What to Expect. “We became friends after that and I kind of pushed him to do this movie,” Waititi said. “I knew he had a story to tell and I knew he could do justice to it. So, I was like, ‘Let’s do this movie.'”
The filmmaker also revealed that the role of Bob Pattinson’s character, Michael, was originally scripted to be a woman. After initially turning down the part, the actor agreed to take it on after Waititi convinced him it would be “more interesting as a man.”
More Than Meets The Eye
While Casino Royale was a departure from the typically glamorous world of James Bond, Waititi’s latest film is a character study of sorts, focusing on the personal life of one of the most prominent actors of our time. As the director himself puts it, “What To Expect is about me following Robert around for a year and getting to see more of his side of things than I probably ever would have if I hadn’t got to do this.”
In the film, Bob Pattinson plays Michael, who discovers he is the father of a (mostly) grown daughter, Olivia (played by Charlotte Rampling). Hoping to make amends for his past mistakes, Michael embarks on a journey to find Olivia and try to be a part of her life. Along the way, he meets Kelly (played by Margot Robbie), a self-made millionaire who hires Michael to be her personal assistant and convince her to invest in her new venture, Kelly Fresh Fruits. While initially enthusiastic about the idea, Kelly later expresses concerns about Michael’s past and his ability to keep his promise to Olivia.
Michael’s story is one of several parallels between Casino Royale and What To Expect. Aside from the fact that both films feature Pattinson and are set in London, the two share several other story beats, including the presence of a daughter and the main character’s journey to reconnect with her. However, unlike in Casino Royale, where James Bond’s mission was to protect and serve Queen and country, Michael’s main motivation in What To Expect is to be a part of Olivia’s life. As the film’s official press release explains, “From the moment Michael meets his estranged daughter Olivia, he knows that he has to win her trust in order to have a chance at being a part of her life. It’s a story of family and commitment, and the lengths that an individual will go to for the ones they love.”