Earlier tonight, Variety not only broke the news that Robert Pattinson has been cast in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, but also damn near broke the Internet, too.
As expected, everyone and their grandmother has an opinion on why the former Twilight star will or won’t make a good Dark Knight, but if you ask us, we’re actually a fan of this. For one, Pattinson is a genuinely talented actor, and if you don’t believe us, just go watch his performance in David Cronenberg’s excellent Cosmopolis. Not only that, but he’s definitely got the right look for a young Bruce Wayne/Batman and perhaps most exciting of all, he’s such a left-field, unexpected choice that he’ll surely bring something fresh and different to the part.
That’s not to say that every actor before him has done the same thing, but it’s not hard to see Pattinson offering up one of the most unique takes on Batman yet. And from the reactions over on Twitter, it seems that the majority of people are pretty excited to see what he can do with the role. Not everyone, but most, and for a sampling of what they’re saying, you can see below.
Interesting….
I’m not mad.
Interesting 🤔🤔🤔🤔 #TheBatman https://t.co/EX4mAjkFzG
— Jamie (@JustJamietee) May 17, 2019
Best news I’ve gotten in a while, god I’m PUMPED. #TheBatman https://t.co/eIpRKXOh7R
— Gage Roberts (@gageroberts442) May 17, 2019
My reaction when Robert Pattinson became the new Batman.. https://t.co/elpJXdY1sA
— Bon Bon (@LilBDiggitty) May 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/johne1998/status/1129192299362045953
Everyone including me: "No one thought Heath Ledger would be a good Joker and he was the best Joker we've ever seen. Maybe Robert Pattinson can actually pull off the role of Batman. We should give him a chance."
Me: pic.twitter.com/whUn7bW7F8
— Troy (@TroyJayT) May 17, 2019
I have just received leaked test footage of Robert Pattinson in costume as Batman pic.twitter.com/AChWHWyXGD
— Lunwi (@Lunwi88) May 17, 2019
Robert Pattinson is high key a good choice for Batman. He's a great dramatic actor, and if you've been paying attention to his indie shit lately, he's been off the charts.
— BAMF Adebayo (@liveonthatswing) May 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/MitchBUnderwood/status/1129204231561342976
https://twitter.com/coolcam101/status/1129204719367274496
Michael Keaton, Heath Ledger, Grant Gustin..
If we've learned ANYTHING from unique superhero castings, it's that immediate reactions are often wrong.
Robert Pattinson is a bold choice for Bruce Wayne & I can't wait to see him in action.
(This is coming from a lifelong Batman fan) pic.twitter.com/fL6pjc1obX— Michael Patterson (@michaelp93) May 17, 2019
Robert Pattinson as the new Batman. I'm into it. pic.twitter.com/AxfhEZHMeL
— Kris Pradipta (@pradpradprad) May 17, 2019
Robert Pattinson is going to be the next Batman.
Me: pic.twitter.com/wKWz8Ol1yx
— Warden of the North (@LordChozen) May 17, 2019
LET'S GOOOO. Robert Pattinson is one of the best working actors today. Anyone who replies negatively to this news is still stuck on the 10 year old Twilight series and hasn't watched any of his work since. #TheBatman 🦇 https://t.co/e4UjgGaZOH
— Josue Hernandez (@videojosue) May 17, 2019
Cedric Diggory fulfilling his destiny https://t.co/wdElBLvpAl
— Cap (@Cap___17) May 17, 2019
ROBERT PATTINSON AS BATMAN ARMY RISE!!!!!!!! https://t.co/BsaR56PLmp
— d*niel 💤 (@slayonetta) May 17, 2019
Dammit Matt Reeves, you were supposed to make a Batman movie, not a Man-Bat movie.
(vampire joke I'll see myself out) https://t.co/A7r8JqQ6c5
— @carlivelocci.com on the other app (@velocciraptor) May 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/pussyinduIgence/status/1129190527297998848
So, that petition to fire Robert Pattinson from the Batman role should be posted in a few minutes.
— Michael Ruiz (@TheMichaelJRuiz) May 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/AnAndyPaul/status/1129197946816344064
https://twitter.com/iamTannenbaum/status/1129192743610322946
Of course, there are thousands more where those came from, but as we mentioned above, the general consensus surrounding Pattinson’s casting seems to be excitement mixed with a little cautious optimism. And given how unexpected this is, that’s perfectly understandable.
But it seems Warner Bros. has indeed found their man and now, we’ll all wait patiently to see just what Pattinson, director Matt Reeves and the studio have cooked up for The Batman, which will enter production later this year and be with us on June 25th, 2021.