Robert Pattinson’s Batman casting divides Twitter: ‘Now cast Kristen Stewart, you cowards’

On Friday it was reported that Robert Pattinson is in final negotiations to play Batman in an upcoming film directed by Matt Reeves, and the internet has mixed emotions about the one-time heartthrob taking on the mantle of the Caped Crusader.

While the detractors pointed out that he was, for several years, involved with a globally detested film franchise, his supporters noted that since Twilight, Pattinson has gone on to work with several celebrated filmmakers. Pattinson is expected to begin work on Christopher Nolan’s upcoming ‘event movie’ next, and his resume includes films by David Michod, Werner Herzog, David Cronenberg, Anton Corbijn, James Grey, the Safdies, the Zellners, and Claire Denis.

One Twitter user shared a supercut of interview clippings in which Pattinson was expressing his own frustrations with Twilight. “I’m down with Pattinson as Batman. We’ve discussed this before. He’s paid his dues and worked hard to break free of the Twilight world and has proven to be strong actor with a distinct presence. I think he’ll do well and I think Reeves will know how to get the best out of him,” one person wrote. “Robert Pattinson didn’t act his a** off in independent films for the last few years for y’all to freak out because he played a sparkly vampire 10 years ago. Pattinson will do a solid job as Batman under the direction of Matt Reeves. Hell. Nolan even wants to work with him,” wrote another.

Others shade memes of a sparkly Lego Batman, and wrote, “It was foretold.” One fan even challenged Warner Bros. to cast his ex-girlfriend and Twilight star Kristen Stewart as Catwoman. You can check out more reactions here.

Deadline is also reporting that X-Men actor Nicholas Hoult is in the running for the part as well, and Warner Bros and Matt Reeves still haven’t finalised the decision.

Batman was most recently played by Ben Affleck, who vacated the role after three appearances as the Dark Knight. Affleck was initially supposed to direct the solo Batman movie, but stepped down. He was expected to star in Reeves’ film, until the poor performance of Justice League made Warner Bros decide to take the character in a new direction.

Batman has previously been played on screen by Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney and Christian Bale.

Follow @htshowbiz for more