That being said, the film that truly lit the spark on his quest to escape the clutches of the Twilight label was David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis. While the movie was definitely a far-cry from the real highlights in the director’s filmography, it could go down as the launching pad that elevated Pattinson into something more substantial than a poster on the wall of a teenage girl’s bedroom.
In fact, Cronenberg has gone as far as to cast Pattinson in his latest film, Maps to the Stars; a clear indicator of the veteran filmmaker’s newfound respect for the actor. We’re not expecting a career revival on the same level as Matthew McConaughey, but we’re cautiously optimistic of a solid dramatic turn from Pattinson in The Rover, and perhaps similarly challenging roles in the near-future.
David Michôd was certainly surprised by Pattinson’s take on his creation. Quoted in the Australian Times, he had this to say about his number one casting choice:
“(he is) really smart, and not the sort of pretty boy I was expecting. As soon as it was time to start testing… he was my first choice, by a long way.”
In the same article, Pattinson also speaks about the role and what he thinks is going on in The Rover. He says:
“It’s very existential. It’s really interesting. I couldn’t really explain to you what it’s about but it’s sort of about how much pain can the world take and how much disgust and cruelty before love dies. I think that’s kind of what it’s about.”
Couple these statements with Guy Pearce’s appraisal, and it really does seem as though Pattinson has finally come into his own. He seems to be picking his projects with a greater sense of diligence and thoughtfulness, working with directors and actors that will only help raise his game as an actor and well-respected personality in the film industry.
