The screen test for Robert Pattinson’s Batman has been released, and it looks edgy and incredible.
It was announced at the end of May 31 of 2019 that Robert Pattinson would be the next Batman. Some people were excited, and others were — not excited.
The people who were in the “not excited” category were likely “not excited” because of the Twilight franchise. Many of us in our late 20’s — at least the guys — remember all too well how Twilight took the world over, and especially how it took over the hearts of young ladies.
The franchise had this chick flick tone to it that had lots of guys making fun of it, and had girls in love with it. Don’t get me wrong, the movies were successful for a reason, but at least when they were coming out (when I was in high school) that was the way it sort of played out.
And once the Twilight momentum started, there was no stopping it.
I mean, these movies divided women into camps: “Team Edward” and “Team Jacob” (Robert Pattinson/Taylor Lautner.)
“Jacob’s got muscles,” one would say; “But Edward is better husband material,” the other would say.
This was a major thing.
Some of you know what I’m talking about. Ladies were all in on this stuff. Guys, at the time, were largely not. They watched from the outside.
Now, in all honesty, Robert Pattinson is an incredibly talented actor. I don’t hear anyone really disputing that in general. Pundits and industry professionals see him as one of the greats.
But he made his name with Twilight — Team Edward — and that’s the first thing people remember when they think of him.
So…. what happens when Warner Bros announces — to a largely male fan base — that Robert Pattinson is the new Batman?
The world explodes.
Men around the globe are instantly triggered as one remembers the time he was rejected by his high school sweetheart because he couldn’t measure up to “Edward.” Another guy’s eyes begin to twitch as he remembers the long discussions in the car as his sisters battled over who was hotter — Edward or Jacob.
The whole thing causes a major internet hernia.
And I’ll admit it. Fine. I’ll admit it. I’ve struggled with the concept internally too. I still see Edward every time I see his face. I was in the generation of Twilight mania. That guy I was speaking about up there was secretly me — OKAY? No, I didn’t tweet about it, but I have spent many late nights crying into my pillowcase thinking about the new Batman choice. (not)
But here’s the thing. I knew that we needed to keep an open mind with this. The truth of the matter is that Robert Pattinson will do an incredible job. And I think deep down we all know it. He’s just an incredible actor.
Then came the screen test.
So I (and the rest of the guys in the world) had gone through the first five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, and depression. (Group nerd therapy has really been working for us.)
And then the Batman screen test came out — and the doubt in me evaporated like tears in the summer.
Yesterday, director Matt Reeves allowed the world to see the artistic vision behind the new caped crusader. We knew he wanted a young Batman, but it seems there was more to it than that.
It appears they wanted the new batman to be agile and quick. Edgy. They didn’t want a brute — they didn’t want a heavyweight — they wanted a martial artist.
Look at that costume in the video above.
The whole concept, down to Pattinson himself, portrays quickness. Speed. This isn’t a massive Ben Affleck Batman — this Batman looks to have a smaller build.
Look at the contour of the suit. Look at Pattinson’s lean frame. Look at the way the suit comes off on camera. This is something new.
The intense tone of the shot also compounds what we have been hearing about the nature of this Batman. According to the Hollywood Reporter, this version of Batman is supposed to be only 2 years into his career as a vigilante. And as such, he will come off as more unhinged.
The reporter further emphasizes this, quoting an interview with Batman co-star Peter Sarsgaard, who revealed that the film would have “raw power” and “raw emotionality.”
Adding to the excitement is the fact that hawk-eyed viewers noticed that the bat symbol on Pattinson’s chest is made up of pistol grips, which mimic the comics, where Bruce Wayne takes the gun that killed his parents and molds it into his chest plate:
“I’m going to make that metal pay for its sins. I’m going to burn the metal that killed my parents. And forge it into something useful. So the metal that broke my heart as a child? That same metal will protect my heart as a man. And That is justice.”
I’m ready. Get me a ticket to the hype train.
Sometimes you just have to see it. And this screen test was exactly what I needed to see. We need fresh content in this genre right now. And this may be the answer.
So as the timer on that screen test video clocked down to zero, I finally felt a calm in my soul. I finally reached the final stage — acceptance.
