While Robert Pattinson no longer sparkles in the sun, he’s far from fading away. However, maybe not everyone realizes that. During an interview with The New York Times, the Mickey 17 star recounted an amusing interaction at passport control while traveling to St. Vincent and the Grenadines with his fiancée, Suki Waterhouse.
An immigration officer recognized him and said, “Hey, you’re the guy from Twilight. Why’d you stop acting?” Unsure how to respond, Pattinson simply replied, “I’m Batman,” which earned a laugh from her.
Though he gained fame as Edward Cullen in the Twilight saga, Pattinson’s career has been thriving since the series concluded with 2012’s Breaking Dawn – Part 2. Even he didn’t expect to have such longevity in Hollywood. “When I got my first job, I never imagined I’d still be doing this,” he admitted. “I can’t believe it’s still going.”
After Twilight, Pattinson steered away from major franchises to focus on independent films and collaborations with acclaimed directors. His standout performances include roles in David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis, the Safdie brothers’ Good Time, Claire Denis’ High Life, Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse, and Christopher Nolan’s Tenet. Eventually, he returned to blockbuster territory as the lead in Matt Reeves’ The Batman.
The 2022 film, which reimagined Bruce Wayne as a socially awkward and emo recluse, earned critical and commercial success. Pattinson explained his approach: “Bruce has always been portrayed as a playboy, but I thought, what if he’s completely socially inept and borderline agoraphobic?” He added that this portrayal aligned with the character’s unresolved grief. “He’s still the 10-year-old boy who blames himself for his parents’ deaths. His alter ego isn’t just to fight crime—it’s a way to survive himself.”
A sequel to The Batman is set for release in 2026, part of a planned trilogy. “I might actually retire after these films,” Pattinson jokes.
Next, Pattinson will star in Bong Joon Ho’s sci-fi film Mickey 17, hitting theaters on April 18, 2025.
