Robert Pattinson is one of the most renowned and beloved actors of our time. He rose to fame playing the anti-hero, Edmond Fitzmaurice, in the 2012 film, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2. This film cemented his status as a sex symbol and made him one of the most popular celebrities of the century so far.
While fans know and love Robert for his on-screen heroics, he has used his celebrity to fight for causes he believes in. He has donated money to charity, raised money for a good cause through his activism, and used his platform to empower young people. Today, we’ll explore the latter – the things that Robert has said about the generation of today, and how he thinks they’ll react to his words.
‘I Don’t Need to Be Famous’
Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Robert said, “I don’t need to be famous and I don’t want to be famous. I just want to make films that I believe in.”
Many famous people fall into this category. While some may crave the spotlight, wanting to be famous just for being famous, others are driven by their passions. They want to be able to use their gifts and their fame for the greater good. Robert is clearly in the latter camp. He has always been driven by a sense of purpose, and has been willing to sacrifice significant amounts of money and time to make his vision real. He has been open about his drug use and his struggles with mental health, which many consider to be the root of his problems.
The result of all of this is a persona many people feel is uniquely positioned to help them. As a figurehead of the ‘Me Too’ movement, he has spoken out about his experience of sexual harassment and encouraged others to come forward. He has been a prominent voice against climate change, urging people to go green and avoid using more energy than they need. And perhaps most notably, he has been an outspoken advocate for Syrian refugees, hosting the ‘One Voice’ concert, a charity event that raised over £13 million for refugee missions around the world.
The fact that he doesn’t need to be famous should not be a cause for celebration. It is, perhaps, an indictment of our times that someone so admired and respected as Robert can still find himself in such demand. Why are audiences still so captivated by his charisma and good looks? Perhaps it’s because he has refused to conform to our culturally dictated gender roles, and has instead bucked the trend through honest, raw, and occasionally dark portrayals of male characters. Regardless of the reason, this is a man who is clearly comfortable in his own skin, and wants to be known for the person he is rather than the image he projects.
‘I Just Want to Be The Best Actor I Can Be’
It was recently announced that Robert was in talks to play the lead role in Mary Poppins Returns. This is a sequel to the 1964 classic film, Mary Poppins, which starred Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. The film will be set in London in the early 1960s and will see the magician/nanny character, Mary Poppins, return to the city to take care of George Michael, the son of the bank’s founder, Victor Banks. In the original film, Mary Poppins was responsible for raising George Michael, who is now a grown man, after his father, a widower, lost his wife Elizabeth to illness.
The part of George Michael is, reportedly, one of the most demanding in Hollywood. It’s not simply a matter of physical appearance; it’s a role that requires a certain level of talent and skill. Even then, it’s likely there will be many people who will not be able to perform it with the desired level of skill. There are already reports, however, that the director, Don Hall, is searching for some English actors to play the role of Mary Poppins’ accomplices.
For his role in Breaking Dawn – Part 2, Robert was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award. He won a BAFTA award for best supporting actor. And in December 2019, he was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Oxford.
Whether or not he continues to land such high-profile roles, it’s clear that Robert has not been ‘safe’ for long – despite, or perhaps because of, his fame. Even now, as he nears his 50th birthday, he continues to be one of the most sought-after members of the industry. While many may see this as a problem, it’s a testament to the fact that his popularity and ability to draw in audiences transcends generational boundaries and continues to grow as more and more people discover his work.