It’s official: Robert Pattinson is your new Batman

Update: After a few weeks of negotiations, Variety has confirmed with Warner Bros. Pictures that Robert Pattinson is the latest actor to go under the cowl.

The Good Time actor will star in a new franchise of Batman films, beginning with The Batman, helmed by War for the Planet of the Apes director Matt Reeves. The trilogy will reboot the property after Zack Snyder’s Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League. X-Men: Dark Phoenix actor Nicholas Hoult was also in the running, but Warner Bros. and Reeves have put their eggs in Pattinson’s basket.

Those who only know Pattinson from the Twilight era have overlooked a formidable actor who’s capitalized on fame to turn hard into the art scene. In recent years, he’s collaborated with names like David Cronenberg, the Zellner brothers, James Grey, and most recently, French auteur Claire Denis, in the simply wild sci-fi film, High Life. His next project is an untitled blockbuster directed by Christopher Nolan, due next July.

As for Reeves, he continues on with The Batman after two years of development, and a will-he-won’t-he over whether Ben Affleck would continue on with the role. Despite behind-the-scenes drama, when Reeves was hired in 2017 to write and direct the film, he expressed a passion to do the franchise right.

“I have loved the Batman story since I was a child. He is such an iconic and compelling character, and one that resonates with me deeply. I am incredibly honored and excited to be working with Warner Bros. to bring an epic and emotional new take on the Caped Crusader to the big screen,” Reeves said.

The Batman is slated to hit theaters on June 25, 2021.