Variety is reporting that Robert Pattinson is in negotiations to play Batman in Matt Reeves’ upcoming DC reboot of the character, which is slated for June of 2021. Their sources say while Pattinson has not yet signed, he is the studio’s top choice. According to the report, Warner Bros. has made no official comment yet.
Pattinson will be replacing Ben Affleck as the caped crusader. Affleck previously appeared as Bruce Wayne in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad and Justice League. On an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live in February, the actor explained to Jimmy why he will not be stepping down as both actor and director of The Batman.
“I tried to direct a version of it and worked with a really good screenwriter, but just couldn’t come up with a version, I couldn’t crack it. So, I thought it was time to let someone else take a shot at it. They got some really good people, so I’m excited.”
– Ben Affleck, Jimmy Kimmel Live (February 2019)
Is Robert Pattinson up for the job of Batman?
Most people may remember Robert Pattinson for his role in the Twilight films as Edward Cullen. Those movies made Pattinson a household name and the desire for a nation of teenage girls. However, despite the immense box office success of the Twilight movies, the critics were not so kind of his portrayal of the character. Pattinson himself even admitted on The Howard Stern Show that he was almost fired from the production.
However, Robert Pattinson has seemingly reinvented himself as an actor in 2017 with his role in Good Time. He has since dedicated the past couple years to mostly independent films. Pattinson has four films opening this year, including High Life, The Lighthouse, The King and Waiting for the Barbarians.
Hopefully he will turn in the performance that Batman fans are hoping for!