Christian Bale says Robert Pattinson is a good choice for Batman, asks him to ignore the haters
Playing the role of Batman comes with a lot of responsibility. Batman fans have been critical of casting decisions ever since the Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale association ended seven years ago.
Bale has given Robert Pattinson his best advice ahead of the actor's role in Matt Reeves' new standalone DC film. Bale played Bruce Wayne in Nolan's 'Dark Knight' trilogy from 2005 to 2012 and when he was asked what advice he'd give Pattinson, he told ExtraTV, "Don't listen to the naysayers."
After news of Pattinson's casting releases, Twitter has been rampant with criticism. Bale urged the actor to "make [the role] his own" in the Toronto International Film Festival interview.
Bale pointed out that no other casting decision in the history of 'Batman' films had met with more backlash than the casting of Heath Ledger in the role of The Joker, but that didn't keep him from delivering a performance that blew away everyone's mind - fans and critics alike. His performance also won him a posthumous Oscar for his work. "Think about it. Everybody protested when Heath was cast as the Joker. Look what an absolutely brilliant performance he gave. Don't listen to those guys, do his own thing. He's a fascinating actor and a great choice."
After Bale, Ben Affleck played the role of Batman in 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' and 'Suicide Squad' before stepping down.
The backlash for Pattinson's casting has nothing to do with his acting prowess instead of a block in the audiences' mind - many still associate him with the 'Twilight' series, which has gained a notorious reputation in many circles since its release. But there are also those who believe in Pattinson's work, trust his caliber and know that he is more than the actor who played the role of the vampire Edward Cullen.
