Update: Matt Reeves welcomes Robert Pattinson as the new Batman

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Update: Director of the new Batman movie, Matt Reeves, took to social media last night to welcome his new leading man, Robert Pattinson to the project as his official Caped Crusader. He didn't offer any words or dish on what he has planned, but with a simple GIF and a couple of emojis he made his excitement over the star's casting known. 

Original:

The internet had a bit of a breakdown recently when news broke that Robert Pattinson was being eyed to play the new Batman for director Matt Reeves’ upcoming solo movie. While it was not yet confirmed and there was still one more candidate in Nicholas Hoult, a new report claims that WB has made their call, and that call is that Pattinson will don the cape and cowl as the new Dark Knight.

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The news comes from outlets like Deadline and Variety, both confirming that WB made their call after whittling down the list to Pattinson and Hoult. Word is (via Deadline) that while Pattinson was the heavy favorite to take the role the studio wanted to get the two on camera before officially calling it. The source said that while they thought Hoult did a great job, it’s Pattinson who will be their new Caped Crusader with negotiations getting underway for what could be at least a two-movie deal. 

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The news first broke about Pattinson’s potential casting earlier this month, which, as to be expected divided folks on the internet because everything does nowadays. On the whole, most people have championed the idea of Pattinson behind the mask, given that he’s spent his post-teen-heartthrob years doing exceptional work in a series of smaller, sometimes darker dramas, including this year's HIGH LIFE and THE LIGHTHOUSE, the latter premiering to rave reviews at Cannes. Should he take on the role in Batman it would be the second time this month he landed a gig in a movie much larger than his recent projects, having secured the lead role in Christopher Nolan’s new movie, TENET.

Of course, this will once again spark much discussion on the internet, but my hopes for anything civil and measured dwindle with each consecutive word I type. People responded the same way to Ben Affleck being cast some years ago (and Michael Keaton years before him), all before he blew the doors off and proved he deserved to wear the cape. Some people may not be into the idea of R-Patz-Batz right now,  but don't worry, they all swing around eventually. Sometimes all anyone needs is a little…push.