Robert Pattinson got the Batman gig because he was the Millennials’ choice

Guests pose as they arrive to the Dior Mens fashion show during Paris Fashion Week

Robert Pattinson won the role of Nu Batman about a month ago. While my first reaction to the news was “dafaq?” I’ve come around to the idea. I’ve basically come around to it because A) The Batfleck sucked and maybe we do need a fresh start and B) Millennials should get the chance to see a Millennial Batman, why not? Plus, I actually think the idea behind this version will be okay – Millennial Batman broods AND solves crimes like a Bat-detective. It’s noirish and maybe Rob will do that well. As it turns out, the youths agree with me. The Hollywood Reporter actually did polling – honest to God polling – on the important issue of the year: can theater-goers buy into a former sparkly vampire playing The Batman?

When Nicholas Hoult and Robert Pattinson were floated as frontrunners to take on the role of Batman in director Matt Reeves’ planned trilogy, some not particularly positive reactions greeted the news of the Twilight star donning the cape. But, if Warner Bros. can take some consolation for its Pattinson pick, it’s that younger Americans clearly prefer the actor over Hoult as the new Dark Knight, a new Hollywood Reporter/Morning Consult poll finds.

Some 42 percent of those in the 18-29 age bracket are in favor of the casting as opposed to 30 percent in the same group that prefer Hoult, already known to superhero movie fans in Fox’s X-Men franchise. (The number spikes further, reaching 48 percent, if the age range is limited to 18-22.) Yet Hoult manages to outrank Pattinson slightly among older audiences, including in the 45-54 and 55-64 demographics.The survey was conducted among 2,201 adults between June 6 and June 9, just days after Robert Pattinson had officially been named the next big-screen Batman.

Both actors screen-tested for the role, and if Warners found it difficult to make a decision, those taking part in the poll were equally split, with Pattinson and Hoult each receiving 30 percent total support across all age groups.

Indeed, Pattinson’s Twilight movie experience may explain the preference among the younger moviegoing set. “Twilight fans are totally on board. I think their dedication to Rob is the kind that means fans who weren’t Batman fans before are now going to devour all things Batman, in support of Rob,” says Bekah Decker, co-founder of Robert Pattinson fanzine LettersToRob.com. “Bruce Wayne is dark, [Pattinson’s Twilight character] Edward [Cullen] is dark. There is a vigilante quality in Edward — more in the books — that is an obvious tie to Batman.”

[From The Hollywood Reporter]

So, long story short, Warner Bros tested Nick Hoult and Rob and they liked them both equally and they thought both actors would have been good in the role, but Rob got better numbers from the under-30 crowd. I mean, it does make sense. The under-30 crowd is the demographic almost all movies are made for, and they are such a huge chunk of film-consumers. But… I still have to admit, I think Hoult probably would have made a better Batman just from an acting standpoint. I actually think Rob is a talented actor, I just think Hoult is MORE talented and more capable of finding that knife’s edge of doing a “comic book movie” without looking stupid. Still, former and current Twihards wanted Sparklevamp Batman so that’s what they’re getting.

Los Angeles premiere of Fox Searchlight Pictures' 'Tolkien'

Photos courtesy of Backgrid, WENN.

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41 Responses to “Robert Pattinson got the Batman gig because he was the Millennials’ choice”

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  1. Oh No says:

    We’re already getting off to a start rocky start. Don’t put him on us. Bad enough we get blamed for killing Applebee’s and retail…

    • launicaangelina says:

      Haha! As a former bartender, server, and manager at Applebee’s, this made me laugh. 😂

    • Wow says:

      As an elder millennial, i remember eating a ton of applebees. They changed their menu, prices and portions so I moved on. Applebees killed themselves trying to be hip instead of focusing on affordable chicken strips.

      Everyone wants to blame someone except themselves.

  2. Erinn says:

    NICHOLAS. Shave the neck beard. That is one of my biggest pet peeves with men. Don’t cultivate a beard on your neck. Don’t be too lazy to shave it. He has a petite little chin, and it just disappears into the neck stubble.

    As a millennial – between the two I’d pick Robert. He amuses me. He’s worked REALLY hard to distance himself from Twilight. I think he’s a relatively solid actor, and I actually look forward to seeing how he’ll handle the Batman role. I hope it goes well for him. But I also didn’t hate Batfleck. Which – hilariously both Afleck and Pattinson have spent some time in NS, so clearly, it’s a giant conspiracy ;).

    • alice says:

      “He has a petite little chin, and it just disappears into the neck stubble.”

      I imagine this was one reason he was passed for this role. Batman’s traditional costume pretty much only shows the chin and a weak-ish one would probably throw the look off balance.

      • Erinn says:

        I think you’re probably right. Just picturing the two of them in the mask – Robert’s going to look better in it because he has a pretty pronounced jawline and chin.

      • Brandy Alexander says:

        I actually read an article last week or so that said that chin was precisely the reason they picked Pattinson. It said they both tested well, but the head honchos though Hoult’s weak chin wouldn’t look as good in the mask.

      • Queen Meghan’s Hand says:

        I wonder if as part of the negotiations Rob and Hoult had to text a picture of themselves wearing the Bat mask. Or maybe the marketers photoshopped a photo of each man wearing the Bat mask for the poll and presented that to participants? Cause Hoult is legit the better actor and has more screen presence but does have a smaller chin.
        Theories…

    • Alissa says:

      as a millennial neither one of them interest me at all, but I definitely agree about Nicholas’s chin and that probably is a big reason why he didn’t get the role. when he’s got the mask on all you can see is the eyes and the mouth and chin.

      and I totally agree about neck beards. I’m glad my husband is able to grow a full beard and is also uptight about grooming it lol.

      • Erinn says:

        Mine is too! He’ll disappear and reappear like a half hour later because his beard was bugging him and he needed to shape it up better. Usually it’s barely noticeable when he trims it because he does it so frequently. I got him some amazing smelling citrusy (it’s really amaretto scent but it’s mainly a really sharp citrus smell) beard oil and it’s also pretty soft as far as beards go, so I’m pleased.

        I don’t find I’m attracted to either of them, really. But I find them both likable enough.

    • Angel says:

      Val Kilmer also had a smaller chin, and he did fine. Maybe it was that Hoult didn’t want to shave the neck beard?

    • geekychick says:

      see, for me, it was obvious that Pattinson was chosen because of his fan base/millenial cred. And I saz that as someone born in86.;)
      I just can’t see any other reason for him to be chosen for Batman. He just doesn’t have what it takes, “birthing hips” as Lainey calls them beinf the most vain and unimportant, but illustrating how, when you think of Batman, no one thinks of Pattinson. 😀
      Hoult, on the other side, crtically acllaimed, universally handsome… he should have gotten the role.
      Well, more juicy roles for Hoult, I hope, 🙂

  3. Darla says:

    I would have preferred Hoult but I am open to Pattison, he may be good. We will see.

  4. Eliza says:

    “We can’t make a decision, so let’s poll people who haven’t seen the screen test or know the premise of the noir detective batman! Hooray!” And we wonder why everyone but Disney is bombing at boxoffice. They’re so focused on making everyone happy, they let everyone down. I’m not saying this will fail, but a coin flip on the main character is a terrible way to reboot a potential billion dollar franchise.

  5. Becks1 says:

    The reason I’m open to Pattinson is that I think he is SO different from Bale, that I think they will go a completely different route. (I’m not really counting Batfleck because I don’t think those movies were culturally significant, lol. I think Bale is the last significant Batman.) I don’t think they will try to recreate prior movies. I think it will have a completely different feel from other ones, and I think that could be a good thing.

    • FHMom says:

      Christian Bale was a perfect Batman. I rewatched the trilogy with my kids, and it’s held up incredibly well. I think Rob has the angst for the role, so perhaps it will work. DC films (except for Wonder Women) are so behind Marvel that I’m pulling for this.

      • snazzy says:

        I loved Bale as Batman. I honestly have trouble seeing any other actor in that role because I think he was just so good.

  6. Beach Dreams says:

    Lol so I guess I’d be part of the 58% then, because I just cannot see him in the role. This sounds slightly similar to Sophie Turner being cast as Jean Grey because she had a large social media following.

    • BaronSamedi says:

      Yes thank you. Also what is this Millenial thing? I am a Millenial and my Batman is and will always be Christian Bale. Pattinson is the one for whoever is after us…

      I’ll give you Pattinsons chin and mouth over Hoult but I will never buy him as Bruce Wayne OR Batman.

      He just lacks the gravitas needed to carry off either part convincingly and honestly I’m not interested? He has spent too much of his career running away from the big blockbuster action fare and went too hard into the hipster/fashionista direction to be credible now.

      I see you taking this role for the money Robert and I would prefer you leave it to someone who comes at this with ideas instead.

  7. ds says:

    I’m saying it as someone who thinks they are both talented actors, and not watching the Twee films Rob has a better jawline for the Bat. There it is my superficial take, but also an important one.

  8. Loretta says:

    I also would chose Pattinson over Hoult. He’s the better actor.

  9. Valiantly Varnished says:

    I would have preferred Nicholas Hoult. Im withholding judgment on if Pattinson will be any good but I’m not that optimistic about it.

  10. Ninks says:

    I saw a tweet when it was announced, that people’s reactions to Rob playing Batman were pretty much how people would react to learning that Batman was actually Bruce Wayne. If they were to lean into that, Bruce Wayne as a spoiled rich, tech start up, Silicone Valley guy by day and then Vigilante Superhero by night, I think I might be interested in it.

    I’ve not really got any strong opinions on him one way or the other, but if it infuriates the fanboys, then I’m all for it.

  11. PlayItAgain says:

    I just can’t get into Hoult. There’s something about him that just bugs me. Pattinson is a much better actor than a lot of people give him credit for, and he’s hot, as well. I just hope his interview game has improved. It won’t do for Batman to dissolve into giggles and curl up into a ball in front of an interviewer.

    • another Nina says:

      Exactly! His image of a shy stressed out bloke was cute when he was 21 but it looks ridiculous for a guy in his 30s…

  12. deezee says:

    I would have chosen Nicholas Hoult. I think he is a better actor with greater commercial appeal. I think he would be more engaging with media and able to schill better than Pattinson.
    That said, I am not a millennial so they’re apparently not making this movie for me.

  13. Michael says:

    Will Twilight fans turn out for a Bat man movie? I bet Harry Potter fans will.

  14. Harla says:

    I’m old enough to have seen all the various Batman incarnations from Adam West to Afleck with a little Keaton in between and have to say that Christian Bale is my favorite. My only issue with Rob is physically he doesn’t seem “big enough” to fill the Batman suit, if you know what I mean, he seems to have a slight build not muscular.

    • Totally Old says:

      He’s bigger than Keaton both in height and body mass. Geez people act like they never heard of working out for a part….actors do it all the time.

  15. MellyMel says:

    Yeah, I’m a millennial. My Batman was Christian Bale. I don’t care to see the new version honestly. I can’t get into Pattinson or Hoult for that matter.

  16. Case says:

    I would’ve never chosen him if you asked me what young actor should play Batman. But now that he has been picked I can definitely see it, actually.

    I’m a millennial and Christian Bale is my definitive Batman, but I’m open to Robert.

  17. Pulplove says:

    I really like Nicholas Hoult as an actor and on top of that, I think he’s cute/handsome. But I couldn’t care less about this new Batman film, so I’m actually relieved they chose Robert Pattinson.

  18. Renee says:

    I think the right choice was made. Rob definitely has the acting chops for this. If you haven’t seen Good Time, a movie he starred in last year, I highly recommend it. The movie can be tough to watch but his performance was incredible.

  19. Guest says:

    It’s already been reported that Matt Reeves wanted rob and his role in good time is what helped push him past hoult. Rob is killing it with reviews from the lighthouse and he scored a role in a nolan film from the same studio of batman.

  20. BANANIE says:

    Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one who remembers- or wants to remember- George Clooney’s brief turn as Batman. I LOVED that movie when I was a kid – Uma Thurman? The Arnold? What more could you want? That said it was completely absurd.

  21. Insomniac says:

    Not a millennial, but I’ve always found Nicholas Hoult about as exciting as plain yogurt, so I’m glad Rob got the part.

  22. Mia4s says:

    Is it just me or does releasing the poll results seem rather….defensive? I don’t think there’s harmony on this movie behind the scenes between studio/director etc. Something is up. Somebody’s vision is clashing.

    Hope for his sake it’s a decent movie. Twi-Hards were nuts, but protective of him. Bat-fans? They’re nuts and if he does something they don’t like, they will crucify him.

    • Original T.C. says:

      Yep, I agree. Matt Reeves the director posted a clip of Pattinson from a movie to show Batman fans that he can act. Can’t remember that being done for any other previous Batman actor. But Affleck can’t act his way out of a paper bag so if he pulled it off, anyone else can.

      However if they hired Pattinson based on perceived popularity, that’s a box office disaster waiting to happen. A person’s personal popularity doesn’t translate at the box office.

  23. Skeptical says:

    So, I feel shipping the next Batman is the male version of reviving Sex and the City.