Actors often say the most interesting stories come from the sides of the greats. So it is with the latest heartthrob to enter the scene. Having made his debut in the popular movie The Batman, Robert Pattinson has captured the imagination of movie fans across the globe. The 23-year-old English hunk has been dubbed the “Sexiest Man in Movies” by Elle, and he continues to captivate audiences with his boyish good looks and charming personality. His life seems perfect, at least on the surface, as he is engaged to be married to the equally beautiful and successful actress Katie Holmes. Not quite content with his Tinseltown existence, however, Pattinson has now taken his talents abroad, appearing in the major motion picture Babel, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. In the film, he plays a reporter who travels to Mexico searching for the story of a lifetime – a mystery that evokes the classic Bogart tale Maltese Falcon. Upon arriving in the country, he learns the ugly truth about the supposed friendly locals and the deceitful customs agents, leading to a hair-raising climax involving a dangerous drug lord and a shootout on a dusty street in a small Mexican city.
The Making of a Classic
Based on the novel La Bamba by Francisco Cantillo, who also penned the screenplay for Babel, the Bogart tale is set in the 1920s and tells the story of Sam Spade (played by Humphrey Bogart), an American private detective. Spade is hired to find the stolen property of Falcone, a mob boss, and falls in love with the beautiful and talented Phyllis McGonigle (Greta Garbo). It is a charming, witty, and beautifully directed film, and it established William Powell as one of the greatest comedy directors of all time. Powell won the Academy Award for Best Director for his work on the film, and it is also recognized as one of the greatest American films of all time.
Bringing the Comedy
Bogart was a director as well as an actor, and his experience as a comedian made him the perfect choice to helm such a classic as the 1925 film The Jazz Singer. It was the first sound movie, and it helped establish the form and the careers of numerous singers and comedians. Besides directing, Bogart starred in and produced dozens of films throughout his career. These included The Treasure Chest (1945) and the classic Three Burials (1938), in which he played the part of an undertaker. The versatile star also appeared in numerous television productions, such as Perry Mason and Maltese Falcon, and was one of the best-known faces in Hollywood during the Golden Era of film. He died in 1957, having directed and starred in nearly 100 films in his career, a record that has never been surpassed.
The Evolution of a Hunk
Pattinson’s acting career began in earnest when he starred in the 2008 movie The Darjeeling Limited, which was named after the most popular Indian tea brand. The English hunk worked his way up through television before taking the big-budget leap of faith and starring in The Avengers, based on the comic book created by the legendary Stan Lee and developed for the screen by Kevin Feige. The film co-stars Hiddleston, and it is the first in a planned series of movies featuring the star-studded ensemble of Avengers. Aside from his film career, the self-confessed tea enthusiast has also modelled for numerous fashion houses, including Ralph Lauren and Christian Dior, and starred in numerous commercials for top brand-name products. He has also graced the covers of numerous magazines, including FHM, Elle, and Rolling Stone, and was voted Sexiest Man Alive in 2013 by GQ. In addition, Pattinson is one of the highest-paid actor on the planet, with a salary reported to be in excess of $25,000 per week.
Where does he stand on the LGBT+ scene?
While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Holmes said she hopes her wedding to Pattinson will “be a celebration for all.” In 2012, the actor came out as gay, and he has since been open about his sexuality. Despite this, as a Christian, he has refused to endorse homosexuality, saying people should not be pressured into accepting others as they are, but should instead focus on their own morality and beliefs. When asked about the issue by GQ, he said: “I don’t think it’s anyone’s business but my own, really. I just want to be true to myself and do the right thing. I don’t think any of us are qualified to judge anyone.”
Pattinson’s sexuality has not stopped him from dating and being in relationships with women, however. He started dating musician Madame Zhang Ye in 2016, after meeting her on a dating app. The pair became a couple soon after, and they were reportedly engaged for several months before breaking it off. More recently, he has been seen out with English actress Liv Tyler, with whom he was photographed in 2018 while on holiday in the French countryside.
What is his favourite film?
Aside from his acting career, Pattinson is also a filmmaker and has directed multiple short films, including a mockumentary involving himself, Hiddleston, and Tyler called The Appointment. He has also directed several television commercials, the most notable of which is probably The Tea Limited Partnership’s Gold Bond Tea campaign, which starred Daniel Craig and earned him several accolades, including a Clio Award. As a filmmaker, he is best known for co-founding The High Fi Club with Eric Bana and Tim Robbins, an organisation that aims to inspire creative problem-solving and facilitate networking between film professionals. The club has chapters around the world, and its members work in all aspects of the film industry, ranging from casting and producing to marketing and distribution. Bana and Robbins served as its first international presidents, and Pattinson currently serves as its chairman. In addition to his love for filmmaking, the actor has also expressed a keen interest in directing music videos and bigger budget films.
Is he the next big thing in Hollywood?
Pattinson has been tipped to become the next big thing in Hollywood for some time now. In 2013, Variety proclaimed him to be “Hollywood’s Next Big Thing,” writing that he was “rising like a mushroom after an early morning frost.” In 2014, Forbes estimated his net worth at $25 million, making him one of the most financially successful Englishmen of his generation. In 2018, he was officially named the world’s most attractive male by FHM, with his good looks, boyish charm, and affable nature making him a popular choice with the ladies. Aside from his undeniable good looks, it is probably also his acting ability that has landed him this plum role. If you’re looking to pick up the latest trends as well as the classics, then Robert Pattinson is someone to watch – and to work for!
Why is he so famous?
If you’re unfamiliar, the name Robert Pattinson probably doesn’t mean much to you. Sure, you may have seen the actor in a film or two, but you wouldn’t necessarily know who he was or what he looked like. It wasn’t until fairly recently – around 2010 – that the world started taking notice of this young, aspiring actor from England, and it wasn’t just about his acting abilities. At the London Film Festival in 2009, Pattinson starred in a film called The Loved One, which was an adaptation of the Evelyn Waugh novel of the same name. The film was directed by Nicholas Hirst, and it was in this film that the world got its first taste of Robert Pattinson’s charm and good looks. In addition to his performance, the young actor also received critical acclaim for his fashion choices, which were showcased in the adaptation of Waugh’s classic novel. Following the success of the film, many Hollywood studios began showering him with film roles, culminating in the 2014 movie The Rover, which also marked his American film debut. Since then, he has appeared in a number of high-profile movies, including the 2018 sci-fi epic Darkest Hour, in which he plays Winston Churchill, and the upcoming Batwoman, in which he stars as Batman’s (Bruce Wayne) archenemy The Joker. In 2019, he will be seen in the upcoming Netflix drama The Irishman, which stars Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro and is based on the true story of Irish mobster Arthur Connell and his struggle against Prohibition. In 2021, he will be seen in the fifth installment of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Lord, as Lord Albus Perky, and in The Meg, as Jason Hamilton, a great white shark hunter.