Robert Pattinson’s career path is among the most fascinating in modern Hollywood. From his initial stint as brooding heartthrob Edward Cullen in Twilight to his critically acclaimed turns in independent films, Pattinson has repeatedly chosen roles that challenge traditional expectations. Though most fans acknowledge The Batman as his ultimate departure from mainstream franchise cinema, one lesser-known film was instrumental in landing him a role in both The Boy and the Heron and The Batman.
Recently, GKIDS, Studio Ghibli’s U.S. distributor’s president Dave Jesteadt revealed that Pattinson’s role in an intense crime thriller called Good Time (2017) was a major factor in Studio Ghibli’s decision to cast him as the enigmatic Heron in Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron. This new revelation comes after, earlier, director Matt Reeves cited Pattinson’s gripping performance in the same film as a key reason for casting him in The Batman.
Good Time and Pattinson’s reinvention: The journey to Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron
By 2017, Robert Pattinson had moved on from his Twilight legacy by appearing in independent movies like The Rover and Cosmopolis. Still, it was in Good Time that his range and dedication as an actor truly emerged. In the role of Connie Nikas, a desperate and morally questionable small-time criminal, Pattinson gave a raw, unfiltered performance that drew everyone in.
His acting as a man on the edge, fueled by panic and recklessness, showed that he was more than a Hollywood pretty boy, he was a serious actor who was not afraid to get immersed in complicated roles. The gritty look, fast-paced energy, and unpredictable narrative of the film gave Pattinson a unique opportunity to showcase his range. His turn in Good Time earned him the attention of some of the industry’s most powerful players, setting the stage for greater things.
Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron was previously conceived as Hayao Miyazaki’s final film. Given its significance, GKIDS took special care in casting English voice actors who had previously worked with Ghibli, such as Christian Bale (Howl’s Moving Castle), Mark Hamill (Castle in the Sky), Willem Dafoe (Tales from Earthsea), and Dan Stevens (Earwig and the Witch).
When it came to casting the voice of the Heron, the decision was anything but conventional. In GKIDS president Dave Jesteadt’s words, Ghibli originally thought in terms of an older voice actor for the character. They ended up taking their cue from Japan, a young and charismatic singer-actor. This led GKIDS to look for someone with an equally unconventional appeal.
Robert Pattinson soon became the ideal choice, partly because of his performance in Good Time. Jesteadt recalled to Indiewire,
One of the things that we were talking about with Ghibli was his role in Good Time and his desire to play characters that don’t fall into a typical matinee idol filmography.
Pattinson’s desire to play these unconventional and demanding roles made him an inspired choice. His distinctive voice and ability to bring depth to eccentric characters ultimately secured him the role of the Heron, marking his entry into the legendary Studio Ghibli’s roster of voice actors.
While Good Time played a significant role in his casting in The Boy and the Heron, it was perhaps even more influential in securing his place as Gotham’s Dark Knight.
The Batman connection: How Pattinson’s role in Good Time helped him
Director Matt Reeves has been open about how Pattinson’s work in Good Time made him believe the actor could play a new version of Batman. In an interview with Little White Lies, Reeves explained that he was looking for an actor who would be able to express intense internal conflict without needing too much dialogue.
Pattinson’s performance of Connie Nikas, a character who is always on the move but emotionally fragile, showed that perfectly. Reeves saw in Good Time a Batman-like figure a character who would be able to navigate chaos while fighting demons within.
Moreover, Good Time proved that Pattinson was ready to completely immerse himself in physically and emotionally demanding roles, a trait necessary for bringing a brooding and troubled Bruce Wayne to life.
His work in the Safdie Brothers’ thriller eventually culminated in one of the most original and subtle interpretations of Batman to date, solidifying his position as a serious leading man in Hollywood. Its effects resonated throughout Hollywood, leading to his casting in both The Boy and the Heron and The Batman.
The Boy and the Heron is currently available to watch on Netflix.
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