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GQ interview - Robert Pattinson thinks working out is overrated and isn't doing anything for Batman role


Some people might have a different opinion on this subject, but shouldn't he take the role (the physical side) more seriously?

The film studio hired a trainer who left Pattinson with a Bosu ball, a single weight, and a sincere plea to use both, but right now, he says, he’s ignoring her. “I think if you’re working out all the time, you’re part of the problem,” he says, sighing. By “you” he means other actors. “You set a precedent. No one was doing this in the ’70s. Even James Dean—he wasn’t exactly ripped.” He says that back when he was the star of the Twilight franchise, “the one time they told me to take my shirt off, I think they told me to put it back on again.” But Batman is Batman. Pattinson called another actor on the film, Zoë Kravitz, the other day, and she said she was exercising five days a week during their exile from set. Pattinson, well: “Literally, I’m just barely doing anything,” he says, sighing again.

https://www.gq.com/story/robert-pattinson-on-batman-tenet-isolation-june-cover


Arguments why he needs to work out harder:

- This isn't the 60s and 70s anymore. With special effects looking so much better and more realistic, there's now a new expectation the superheroes look above average. I don't think they should look like the random weekend gym goer you see. They have to look like people in top shape that make you go 'wow'. These superheroes dedicate their lives to fighting baddies and saving the world. And in order to do that, they have to be in peak physical condition to survive grueling physical tests.

- Robert Pattinson has a coveted role that thousands of actors would kill to have. If he's getting paid millions, shouldn't he push himself harder in all aspects of the role (acting and physical training)? If he finds it boring, there's lots of actors who will gladly work their tails off in his place.

- Gal Gadot and Alicia Vikander both admitted they were more on the 'thinner' side before taking on the roles of Wonder Woman and Lara Croft. They both worked out hard to improve themselves, so that you can somewhat believe they are fighting groups of baddies, leaping across chasms, and carrying heavy things (and yes I know it helps that Wonder Woman is a demigod, but at least Gal did not look like her skinny Fast & Furious physique while doing it).

- Hugh Jackman was into his 40s and could've used the excuse to slow down, but he only intensified the workouts even more. He had more experience under his belt and probably had to overcompensate, if anything, due to his age. He didn't just say "Eh, I look good enough, and Wolverine is supposed to be naturally enhanced anyways. No need to work out that hard."

- Kumail Nanjiani looks so much better with his new body compared to his Silicon Valley body, and almost everyone would agree the new body fits his upcoming role as a superhero way better than his SV bod:

https://i.imgur.com/IBkDAb2.jpg

- Also, James Dean never played a superhero. His life was cut short and he was only able to do 3 films! Ripped also means "lean". James Dean was ripped aka lean, Robert!

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Finally an actor who gets it, in my view, for years I've been baffled why some people had the idea that Batman should have some big muscles, it's a fantasy, a comic book hero, the fact that Adam West didn't have big muscles is exactly what appealed to me, that contrast, which is powerful and magical. Also superheroes have all the power usually because of the psychic development that gives the energy into the body itself, it's not about how defined the muscles are, but how much electromagnetic chi energy is channeled into the body. In my view Pattinson looked the part long before he was given the role, it's about the mystical side of him he was born with as a person, there's the feeling as if he was hiding great powers, that's his appeal for me, and that's more important than how he changes on the outside.

As an audience our imagination is here to do the most work, in any fiction, not the creators, they're merely giving us suggestions, clues or implications, that's when the true magic comes. What Pattinson is doing is part of the revolution I am seeing more and more these days, to bring back the art that makes the audience participate in terms of the imagination and intellect, over the years the digital era along with the special effects have taken the big toll on that, for the last several years there's been a huge wave of collective consciousness coming to bring that part of the old era back, that really entertained the intellect/imagination as much as the heart, in perfect balance.

Those are my feelings about this subject matter.

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If there is one superhero that needs muscles, it's Batman since he often gets into fights and has no supernatural powers.
But I agree that he doesn't need to look like a bodybuilder and Pattinson is already fit enough as it is.

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I guarantee he's full of crap. He's working out and the studio is making sure of it. Watch when this comes out and he's got a six-pack and thick shoulders in the gratuitous shirtless shot.

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He's going to have a plastic suit with built-in abs, so why bother?

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Agreed. This isn't the Michael Keaton days anymore.

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If they really tried him to get him to work out during his “off-season” (when he could’ve gotten into by far the best shape of his life - free of charge) and he refused, then lazy and ungrateful AF he is. Lol.

But regardless of what he said (maybe joked about), it appears he did get in good shape for the role; as I’m aware he was working out months before shooting started. He was looking more muscly than ever in some pics. Nope, perhaps he won’t be the most shredded/buffest Batman we’ve seen on screen so far (he’ll definitely be one of the more athletically built), but right now he probably doesn’t need to be. Still lazy, though. XD

Anyways, to no one’s surprise (and of course by no one I mean those who are familiar with his independent work) he looks absolutely killer in the trailer/teaser. If I wasn’t already sold on Battinson... I was since day 1... I am now more than ever. (Btw, Batffleck is back? Yawn.) This looks awesome.

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It differently show he didn't work out in the trailer. That Six pack is painted on.

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This guy has been in the industry for 20 years. I think he knows what goes on in the industry. Hes not just some schmuck He has been in a lot of films.

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Guy spends the whole movie in armored body suits and fancy tuxedos which can be tailored to any desired effect. Who gives a toss if the actor is a skeleton? Hollywood is all about creating illusions. Only a problem if we have unnecessary sex scenes. Ben worked out like crazy, all to show off in a brief scene or two that added nothing to the films whatsoever. And he would have looked less chunky in the suit if he had just stayed his usual self.

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