You might know that Robert Pattinson and Keanu Reeves were once part of the John Wick universe. Now that they’re on opposite sides of the screen, it’s clear that they were born for big-budget Hollywood action-adventures.
Indeed, after playing the title role in The Batman, Pattinson will star in Dark Phoenix, the fifth and latest installment in Fox’s X-Men franchise. And in an interview with CNET, the actor revealed why he thinks his performance as the Caped Crusader is among the best of all time. “It’s basically the fact that, for the first time ever, they managed to capture lightning in a bottle with the performance of somebody who isn’t actually supposed to be there,” he said.
While Reeves will play a human in X-Men: Age of Apocalypse, this summer’s other big-budget superhero film, Captain Marvel, features a younger version of the character. Pattinson, who will play a supporting role in the film, has some advice for the MCU.
“I think what’s great about Captain Marvel and the way it was made is that they managed to create a cinematic universe and tell new stories within that universe,” he said. “They managed to make it feel organic and very alive and vibrant. So, for that, I give them a lot of credit.”
The Evolution Of Batman
Pattinson may be right about Captain Marvel‘s ability to inhabit a cinematic universe, as it was previously established that the character would appear in the MCU in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. But the actor’s take on the Dark Knight is rather unique, considering that this is the first time he’s played the character.
Since the character’s inception, the Batman has been portrayed by a slew of actors, with Bob Kane (the co-creator of Batman) holding the record for the most appearances with four, in addition to playing the Caped Crusader in the 1940s radio show. Since the mid-2000s, actors from the TV show The Batman have taken over, with Christian Bale, Michael Keaton, and now, Tom Hardy, having played the character in big-budget feature films.
While the Dark Knight has made several cameos in other films and shows, it’s never been given its own standalone adventure movie until now. And with The Batman now almost 80 years old, it’s time for a change.
The Difference In Genres
Besides, the character of Batman itself has changed significantly over the years. No longer the simple vigilante of old, the Dark Knight is now often seen with other heroes and even villains, as the world of Batman grew organically alongside the growth of superhero movies in general.
“I think that it started with Batman, which was a really great example of how you can take a character that was originally meant to be a dark figure and dress him in colorful costumes,” Pattinson said. “And then, over the years, you started to see more and more people who were wearing costumes and doing things that were inspired by Batman.”
With the cinematic universe trend in full swing, it’s not surprising that filmmakers are looking to the past to reinvent the future.
“I think that it’s great when you can go back and reference things from previous stories and refer to things that the fans have loved before, but also give them something new,” Pattinson said. “So, for example, if you were to do a sequel to Batman, you’d probably want to give Christian some more gadgets and stuff that he can use, but also maybe branch out and do something different with the character.”
What’s Next For Batman?
While Batman is set for a solo adventure in Dark Phoenix, fans of the Dark Knight have plenty more movies and TV shows to look forward to. After all, as of now, there are no plans for a sequel to The Batman.
“I think that, right now, there’s only one Batman, and that’s Christian, and we’re not planning on doing any more,” Pattinson said. “But who knows?”
For more on the upcoming releases, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide.