Robert Pattinson Opens up About the Role He Couldn’t Stand

After moving past his early days as a wizard and a vampire, Robert Pattinson transitioned into more eccentric roles in cult favorites such as Good Time and High Life. By 2019, he had solidified his reputation as a favorite of the independent cinema world with a frantic performance alongside Willem Dafoe in The Lighthouse.

Through high-profile collaborations with directors like Christopher Nolan and Bong Joon-ho, the actor has successfully overhauled his public image. However, despite the role of Cedric Diggory being the one that launched his career, Pattinson has admitted in the past that he actually despised playing the Hufflepuff hero.

As noted in Robert Pattinson: The Unauthorized Biography, his dislike for the character stemmed from how different they were in real life. I hate him. I used to hate everybody like Cedric at my school, the actor revealed while discussing his breakout part.

He went on to explain that he was never a natural leader and found the idea of himself being a “head boy” to be essentially a prank. Pattinson recalled that he wasn’t very active in school activities and was rarely the first choice for any competitive sports teams.

Furthermore, he found the source material’s physical description of the character to be quite intimidating. In the book, and also my [character’s] first introduction in the script, it’s like, ‘an absurdly handsome 17-year-old,’ and it kind of puts you off a little bit, he admitted.

This specific pressure caused him to become overly conscious of how he appeared on camera. He jokingly remarked that while it might seem egotistical, the task of living up to that description was much scarier than meeting Lord Voldemort.

Despite his past frustrations, Pattinson recognizes that the role changed the trajectory of his life forever. He told Time Out that his time in the wizarding world feels like it belongs to another lifetime, and he would even be interested to see another actor take on the mantle.

While he often seeks out unconventional projects, he has not completely abandoned major commercial cinema. In 2020, he led the global box office in Tenet, and just two years later, he donned the cowl for a gritty reimagining of Bruce Wayne in The Batman.

As of this year, Pattinson is currently one of the most talked-about actors in the industry due to his leading role in the sci-fi epic Mickey 17. Directed by Oscar winner Bong Joon-ho, the film features Pattinson playing multiple “expendable” versions of himself on a colonizing mission, alongside stars like Mark Ruffalo and Toni Collette.

The film has already garnered massive attention for its dark humor and surreal visual style following its theatrical debut. Additionally, fans are eagerly awaiting his return to Gotham City, as production for The Batman Part II is officially underway under the direction of Matt Reeves.

Beyond his acting roles, the 39-year-old star has been making waves in the fashion and production worlds. He remains a prominent face for Dior Homme and has been developing several new projects through his production deal with Warner Bros. Pictures.

On a personal level, Pattinson has been enjoying a new chapter of life with his partner, Suki Waterhouse. The couple recently welcomed their first child in 2024, and they have been spotted attending various high-profile events in London and Los Angeles throughout the awards season.

Between his upcoming sci-fi ventures and his highly anticipated superhero sequel, Pattinson continues to balance the world of massive blockbusters with his love for experimental filmmaking. His ability to constantly surprise audiences ensures that he remains a unique and unpredictable force in modern Hollywood.

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