Well, it’s been a while since we last heard from our favorite roguish billionaire and philanthropist, now hasn’t it? Having taken a break from crime-fighting to pursue other passions, Bruce Wayne has returned to defend his home and loved ones against evil. After all, you can’t keep a dangerous predator like Batman away from the scene of the crime forever. While it’s great to have Bruce back, fans of the Dark Knight might feel a little bit left out. After all, Robert Pattinson was never really a part of the Batman universe. Sure, he played the iconic role of a tortured genius forced to fight against crime and injustice as a result of his own tragic circumstances, but that was it. For the most part, Batman was played by another actor. This is why it’s such a bummer that Robert Pattinson is back. In a way, it’s like Frodo Baggins being replaced by Jacob Frye in The Lord of the Rings. Or Heathcliff settling down with Cathy in Cathy Burnett’s Wuthering Heights. Or Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson growing up and graduating high school together, only to have Dick adopt a quieter, less proactive role in the DC Universe. It’s always sad to see the death or forced disappearance of a popular character, but at least this time the fans have something to look forward to. In the meantime, let’s take a look at what’s going on with the newest addition to the Batman family.
A Brief History of Robert Pattinson and Batman
If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either a Batman fan or just really, really hate Robert Pattinson. If the former, then you’ll know exactly why I’m writing this article. He is the worst. Well, actually, I take that back. He is the worst in the sense that he is the absolute worst person you could add to the Batman family. He is beyond evil and has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. You’d be better off forgetting about him and moving on to someone who genuinely deserves to be a part of the Dark Knight’s illustrious rogues’ gallery. However, if you’re reading this, then you have to admit that Robert Pattinson was quite the controversial choice when it came to casting Batman. When he was first chosen for the part, he was arguably the biggest name in British literature. Not to mention that he had already established himself as a leading man internationally. For many, this was a tempting offer, as they saw it as their chance to finally play the part of a genius, eccentric, and roguish billionaire. In the end, though, it all came crashing down in spectacular fashion, resulting in one of the biggest controversies in the history of the superhero movie genre.
The Setup
Let’s get one thing straight from the beginning. Robert Pattinson was never supposed to be in the Batman movie. At least not in the way that he ended up being. After initially declining the role, he decided to take a second look at it and realized that he could actually bring something unique and brilliant to the part. While it’s true that he was already in talks with Warner Bros. at the time, he approached the role with a fresh set of eyes and was determined to make the best of it. In the end, it was all too little, too late, as he failed miserably in his attempts to live up to the legacy that is Bruce Wayne. The truth is simply that he is not Batman; he will never be Batman. He will always be something less than the Dark Knight. It’s like trying to make Shakespearean theater with the Monopoly board. You are not Shakespeare, you will always be Shakespeare’s lesser cousin, and that is a fact that you will have to live with. Sorry, bud. Besides, it’s not like he was even that good in the movie. At least not compared to the original and iconic portrayal by Michael Keaton. So, let’s talk about why it was ultimately such a bad idea to cast Robert Pattinson as Batman.
The Main Problem: Talent
This is a problem that anyone who knows and respects Robert Pattinson will recognize. He is extremely talented, often putting his comedic skills on display for all to see. In addition, he is a brilliant and innovative director. These are all outstanding qualities, and it’s easy to see how he could bring all of this to bear on the part of a genius, eccentric, and roguish billionaire. The problem is that none of these things fit the character of Batman. As I’ve mentioned, the original Batman is the definition of a genius, eccentric, and roguish billionaire. He is an inspiration to many, if not all, of the characters created after him. The fact that he was inspired by real-life historical figures like Alexander Graham Bell and The Great Houdini only makes his story that much more interesting. So, in the end, it was all for naught. It would have been a masterstroke if they had cast Robert Pattinson in the role of Batman.
The Fallout
Let’s fast-forward now to 2014. Warner Bros. had been trying to figure out a way to bring back the Dark Knight for a while. As it turns out, they had tried and true in their search for a new Batman. In a bold move, they went ahead and hired a relative unknown, Benedict Cumberbatch, to play the iconic role. He wouldn’t be the first Holmes to don the cowl, nor the first to play it with a British accent, but he is definitely the best candidate yet, in my opinion. Unfortunately, this version of Batman has his own problems. Namely, he isn’t very sympathetic. Especially since his story is essentially that of a middle-aged man realizing that he needs to grow up and fight for what is right. This might be relatable to some extent, but it doesn’t exactly capture the hearts of Batman fans around the world. At least not the vocal ones. In the end, it will be interesting to see what version of Batman emerges following the end of the current trilogy. Regardless, it was a risk that clearly didn’t pay off.
The Ultimate Distraction
Now, let’s get back to our main man, Batman. He has been absent from the scene for a couple of years, but fans of the Dark Knight were still waiting for the day that they could see him step back out onto the big screen. This was eventually brought about by the efforts of Mathew Vaughn, who saw the errors of his ways and wanted nothing more than to make things right. He saw the potential that Robert Pattinson had and decided to champion his cause, convincing Warner Bros. to give him another chance. As it turns out, he wasn’t the only one who saw the potential in Robert Pattinson either. Once again, he proves that he is more than just a pretty face. In an interview with EW, Matthew Vaughn said
“He’s a real find. There’s something about him that made me believe he could be the next Batman. It’s the same feeling I had about Robert Pattinson when I first read The Brittle Gold Tongue. I knew there was something special about this kid.“
What’s Next?
While it would have been quite the coup for Warner Bros. to land a leading man of Robert Pattinson’s caliber, the studio isn’t stupid. They knew exactly what they were getting into when they cast him in the role of Batman. Regardless, it is always fun to dream, isn’t it? Better than ever, Batman is back, and fans of the Dark Knight have a lot to look forward to. Hopefully, this article will educate and enlighten you as to why it is not a good idea to cast Robert Pattinson as Batman.