The internet started to collectively lose its mind Thursday night when news hit the web of TWILIGHT star Robert Pattinson being cast as Batman in Matt Reeves’ THE BATMAN movie. This isn’t the first time Pattinson’s name was floated as a potential casting choice for the role, but up until now it’s mostly been just rumor. Shortly after the news filled social media, some sites began to correct their reports to say that Pattinson is just one of the names on the short list of potential actors who might play the role, with the other strong contender being Nicholas Hoult (who plays Beast in the X-MEN movies, also starring in the title role in TOLKIEN). Deadline was one of the few sites to post the news properly, so we’ll source them, especially since their scoops are usually quite reliable.

Both Pattinson and Hoult are of British descent, but so was Christian Bale. Ben Affleck played Batman in two movies, BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE, and JUSTICE LEAGUE, and also appeared in a cameo in SUICIDE SQUAD, but apparently didn’t want to continue the role moving forward. The DC movies have had some rocky issues, with JUSTICE LEAGUE director Zack Snyder leaving the production and Joss Whedon finishing the film, and some fans and critics complaining that the Snyder films (MAN OF STEEL, BATMAN v SUPERMAN, and JUSTICE LEAGUE) skewed a little too dark and dour for comic book fare. Matt Reeves (WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES) has been attached to the new Batman solo film (to be called THE BATMAN) since Affleck was still involved, and has stayed on board even after Affleck departed.

So why is the potential casting of someone like Robert Pattinson causing so much concern? Well, the easy answer is most moviegoers only seem to associate him with THE TWILIGHT SAGA movies, which he headlined starting in 2008. But here’s the thing – Pattinson has made 14 other movies since then, not including the TWILIGHT sequels, and has three more in post-production. He’s also lined up to do a film with THE DARK KNIGHT director Christopher Nolan. Robert received rave reviews for his work in films like REMEMBER ME, LIFE, GOOD TIME, and HIGH LIFE, to name a few. He’s also taken on some odd and challenging roles that are a far cry from his TWILIGHT character, and if that’s all you’ve seen him in, you’re really not experiencing his full abilities as an actor. Granted, TWILIGHT wasn’t exactly the high mark of quality for recent Hollywood productions, but he’s well proven himself capable of so much more. Also consider, when Michael Keaton was announced as Batman in Tim Burton’s BATMAN in 1989, everyone thought it was a terrible choice. When Heath Ledger was announced as The Joker in Chris Nolan’s THE DARK KNIGHT, fans said it was horrible casting. Maybe Warner Brothers and DC Comics see something in Pattison that they think will be perfect for this role. Time will tell. And Nicholas Hoult is no slouch either. He’s proven himself to be very likable and entertaining in films like WARM BODIES, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, THE FAVOURITE, and of course the X-MEN movies. You can currently see him playing J.R.R. Tolkien in TOLKIEN, out in theaters now.

At this time we still don’t know if either actor will get the role, only that they’re high on the list of considerations, so things could go either way, or we might get a much different name when it’s all said and done. Either way, what are your thoughts? Who do you think should be the new Batman, if not these fellas? Tell us in the comments below.

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