Robert Pattinson’s latest movie, Scary, is making headlines around the world. The young British star is taking on the iconic Batman character for a modern take on the superhero blockbuster.
The actor portrays Gotham City’s crime scene investigator, Gordon, who comes out of retirement to take down the infamous Penguin (played by Jason Flemyg), who has escaped prison and is terrorising the city with his henchmen.
It was initially announced that the movie would be titled The Batman, but that was later changed to Scary. While the latter doesn’t have the same ring to it, it’s certainly a fitting name for the movie.
Pattinson is no stranger to big-name movie roles. His big break came when he was cast as the youngest son in Harry Potter and Star Wars‘ legendary films. Since then, he has starred in critically-acclaimed films like Good and Mad Max: Fury Road, and racked up an impressive list of credits.
However, this is the first time that he has taken on an iconic superhero character. While the actor has expressed his interest in playing Batman in the past, this is the first time that he has actually committed to a role in a movie. Fans should not expect to see a full-on transformation, as it is an origin story of sorts, dealing with Batman’s early years and why he developed his iconic costume and personality.
While there have been some exciting developments with respect to the movie since its release date, it remains to be seen whether or not the film will live up to the hype.
An Unlikely Collaboration
Although he has officially declined to be interviewed about the movie (perhaps thinking it wouldn’t be good for his image to be associated with a comic book character), there have been some interesting developments that shed light on the creative process behind the film. It turns out that the two titular characters—Pattinson and Batman—did not actually meet in person, at least not until the end of production. This is somewhat of a departure from the traditional depiction of the Dark Knight and the Boy Wonder, which often sees them meeting face to face at some point during their journey.
The creative team behind Scary decided to change this, and given that the film is based on the Batman comics, they weren’t the only ones who wanted to see a fresh take on the Caped Crusader. It seems that the director, David Ayer, also wanted to highlight the darker side of Batman, which is reflected in the final product. In an interview with Deadline, Ayer said:
“I don’t think there’s any question that the character of Batman has evolved over the last 75 years, and it’s interesting to see someone like Robert attempt to capture that in today’s society. What we’ve tried to do is: not make it too serious, make it kind of realistic.”
Pattinson, who has a reputation for taking on comedic roles, has said that he was initially reluctant about tackling such an iconic character. It seems that while making the movie, the actor found that it wasn’t quite as funny as he thought it would be. He eventually embraced the darker aspects of the role, which is probably why he has become so popular in Asia. In an interview with Screenrant, he said:
“I’d never really played a dark character before, and I liked the idea of trying something new. I didn’t necessarily want to relate to Bruce Wayne or his adventures, because I feel like I’ve never really known him. He’s a fictional character, and I want to explore the personas that I’ve seen in the comics, like the dark knight and the joker.”
When asked about how he would compare himself to Batman, Pattinson had this to say:
“I think I’d be a little bit more rough around the edges, a little bit more serious. I don’t necessarily want to be seen as a villain, but maybe a little bit more of a rogue. You never know what direction society’s headed in, and maybe the world doesn’t need superheroes as much as it needs people willing to stand up for what they believe in.”
A Different Origin Story
Instead of being the son of millionaire Bruce Wayne, who founded the Wayne Foundation and spent his entire life helping others, Robert Pattinson’s Gordon is essentially the anti-hero himself. Born and raised in a foster home, he didn’t have the best of upbringings and was constantly pushed to be the best he could be, despite his humble beginnings. This is in contrast to the image that the Wayne family typically projects, where the members are often shown to be wealthy, philanthropic individuals who help the less fortunate.
It’s been said that, as both a child and an adult, Gordon suffered from Asperger’s Syndrome, which is characterized by social anxiety, making him feel uncomfortable around people he does not know or meet frequently. Asperger’s Syndrome has also been cited as one of the potential causes of his unique personality and charm, which can be both charming and alluring, but can also make him seem suspicious or even dangerous, especially to others who suffer from the disorder.
This is one of the potential pitfalls of the internet age: when a persona is created, that person can instantly become an online icon, appearing at the top of social-media searches. This makes it easy for people who never knew the character or the actor to assume that he is a threatening individual, simply because they associate him with the role. Inevitably, this leads to tragedy. Just recently, there was a story about a man who shot and killed a stranger, after mistaking him for the Joker.
While such violent behavior is terrifying and unjustified, it’s important to remember that the Joker is often depicted as a monstrous figure, whose laughing demeanor and clown makeup may hide a twisted psychopathic nature. Similarly, Robert Pattinson, as Gordon, is not necessarily a villain, but he does inhabit a world populated by criminals, and it’s his job to hunt them down and put them in prison, where they belong. This is something that he is very passionate about, and it is what ultimately draws him to the role. In the same interview, he said:
“I think that I can really relate to Gordon Gekko. I’ve always been a bit of a loner, and I think that being on the outside of the law is really a lonely place to be, because you can’t help everyone, and you have to be careful who you trust. I think that Gordon is a really interesting character to play, because he doesn’t fit into regular social situations, or at least, he hasn’t learned how to yet. As an actor, that’s an interesting place to find yourself.”
It is the job of the media to hold celebrities and entertainers accountable for their actions, particularly regarding their public images. It’s impossible for them to walk the walk and talk the talk, without constantly being asked about their opinions and behavior, and held to a higher standard than that of the average person. This is why I think it’s important to keep in mind that, while this may be an interesting and exciting development for many fans, it should not necessarily be seen as a positive reflection of society. We must strive to be better, to be kinder, and to be more compassionate leaders and citizens, especially in these times where fear and uncertainty seem to be all that prevails.
While we wait to see how Robert Pattinson’s ‘Scary’ new movie will turn out, it is important to remember that there are many lessons that we can learn from this. As Gordon Gekko said: “The most important thing is to care. Whatever problems you have in your life, whether you’re facing bankruptcy or unemployment or divorce or death or whatever, if you care, you can overcome them.” Perhaps with some assistance from Mr. Wayne.