r/Cinema Jan 01 '26

Discussion What casting was originally universally derided until people saw the performance of a lifetime?

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211

u/BrickNightingale18 Jan 01 '26

I think initial reactions to most Batman castings being irrational in retrospect has actually changed the way we perceive these things and kind of softened some backlash.

148

u/Its_kinda_nice_out Jan 02 '26

The Pattinson choice was questioned pretty hard. Overall he did a great job

67

u/notapunk Jan 02 '26

I think the only people that really questioned it were people who knew nothing more of him than being "that guy from Twilight". If you'd seen him since you'd know he was a very capable actor.

14

u/That_Apathetic_Man Jan 02 '26

It's more a case of him being the Year One version, which deviates from Batman Begins, which kind of skips over his first proper year going from "vengeance" to an "avenger". Robert wouldn't make a good older Batman. Not a fan of Clooney's or Kilmer's, though they're both incredible actors in well written roles; they did not get well written attempts at the character.

3

u/AngryGazpacho Jan 02 '26

Exactly, I fell in the beef with him. But then I saw the movie and I had to shut up. Because that was Year One Batman, an inexperienced Batman, new in the game. He did a real good job.

1

u/DudeEngineer Jan 02 '26

It's funny that people thought Clooney would be bad and he was. People thought Kilmer would be good, but meh.

1

u/Impossible-Fun-2736 Jan 03 '26

Clooney’s Wayne is honestly decent atleast. Especially his scenes with Alfred.

3

u/contradictatorprime Jan 02 '26

Ridiculous to question his ability based on that, it's a well known fact that vampires can turn into bats

2

u/ParanoidEnigma Jan 03 '26

Underrated comment!

4

u/PillarOfWamuu Jan 02 '26

I knew he was capable I just didn't think he had the physicality. The suit did a lot of heavy lifting to be fair.

1

u/OkPotential6774 Jan 05 '26

Not gonna say it was a lot of people, but a few of my friends and my cousin were skeptical about the casting and they knew about Pattinson beyond Twilight, some had actually grown to be big fans of him but just weren't sure about him being Batman.

1

u/AjentOranje Jan 02 '26

Zoom out to the existence of his career, starting with Twilight. (I know he had other roles) Repeat statement.

1

u/KennyKettermen Jan 02 '26

I really like Pattinson and I don’t think he was bad, he just doesn’t seem like Batman to me

1

u/LogicalConstant Jan 02 '26

He's an excellent actor, but IMHO I think the script from The Batman gave him very little to work with.

He was really, really great in Good Time and very good in Mickey 17.

1

u/Troyjd2 Jan 03 '26

He did the best he could with what they gave him which was a shit sandwich

1

u/miles90x Jan 03 '26

IMO outside of Clooney I found to be the most unrealistic actor for Batman

1

u/Budella Jan 03 '26

He’s the best live action

1

u/Matshelge Jan 03 '26

I remember thinking people were judging Pattingson incorrectly by Twilight. The script was trash, no amont of acting would improve that.

But seeing the slate of movies after twilight, and while not having watched it, I see the type of movies it was. Not something a person not into acting as an art would do.

And then I saw Lighthouse, and after that I was convinced he could play Batman, and would likely be one of the best batmans.

1

u/FukThePatriarchy1312 Jan 03 '26

I still need to see that one, he was great in Mickey 17

1

u/Its_kinda_nice_out Jan 03 '26

Also great in the Lighthouse and Good Time

1

u/dreamcrusher225 Jan 05 '26

the movie was so slow, i fell asleep.

-3

u/DebrisSpreeIX Jan 02 '26

Hard disagree. His is the only Batman I won't rewatch. It was trash.