Last week the Internet was set ablaze by the news that Robert Pattinson may be donning the cowl in Matt Reeves’ The Batman. For every person championing the young actor as the next Caped Crusader, there’s another touting that the star’s involvement in the Twilight franchise should permanently bar him from ever taking on the role.
While the studio hasn’t commented on the matter one way or another just yet, numerous news outlets were quick to point out that Pattinson’s deal with Warner Bros. hasn’t been finalized, and it seems like the actor is doing everything in his power to not jeopardize the arrangement.
While speaking at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this week, reporters directly asked The Lighthouse star about his involvement in The Batman, but Pattinson’s lips were sealed:
“I am only answering questions about The Lighthouse,” he said.
IndieWire noted that Pattinson said this with a smile, which could be interpreted as a coy tease or hopeful excitement. Considering Comic-Con is only a few months away, WB may want to save such an announcement for a room full of screaming fans and Pattinson surely knows better than to spoil the reveal early.
Nicholas Hoult, Armie Hammer, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson are all said to be up for the role as well, but in their initial article, Variety noted that Pattinson is far and away WB’s lead choice. Hammer, interestingly enough, was initially cast as Batman for George Miller’s 2008 Justice League Mortal movie, but it was canceled shortly before production began.
Whether or not Pattinson clinches the role remains to be seen, but if any of the actors above becomes our new Bruce Wayne, we’re sure to be in for a different, younger take. We’ll have to wait and see if that’s actually a good thing though when Matt Reeves’ The Batman hits theaters on June 25th, 2021.