7 Iconic Roles Robert Pattinson Almost Played But Didn’t

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Robert Pattinson, famous for his iconic roles like Edward Cullen in Twilight and The Batman, has proven himself to be an accomplished and versatile actor. Yet, throughout his career, there have been some parts he auditioned for but didn’t secure, as well as opportunities he considered but eventually declined.

We’ve imagined how different those films would be if Pattinson had been part of them. Here’s a peek at some major movies he declined or missed out on, exploring the possibilities of alternate cinematic journeys.

7
‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen’ (2009)

The first Transformers movie was incredibly successful, depicting the conflict between Autobots and Decepticons on the silver screen. It wasn’t unexpected that Robert Pattinson sought to try out for the subsequent film; however, it did catch the casting team off guard when he read for the role using an American accent. His intention had been to demonstrate his ability to portray the character in this manner, but the directors believed he was engaging in a peculiar improvisation, leading them to dismiss him from consideration.

The Best Revenge

It turned out to be beneficial that Pattinson didn’t land the part in the movie. Although the film managed to appeal to audiences, it received heavy criticism from critics, and was considerably worse than its original counterpart in both aspects. Despite the unknown role Pattinson auditioned for, it would have been intriguing to see him expand his acting repertoire with a “robot” role, following his portrayals of vampires, superheroes, and wizards.

6
‘Vanity Fair’ (2004)

In his initial significant acting venture, Robert Pattinson encountered his first substantial letdown. Initially chosen to portray an older version of Sir Rawdon “Rawdy” Crawley in Vanity Fair, a role based on Becky Sharp’s son, he was later informed that his character had been removed from the film during a screening. Disappointed that no one had alerted him earlier, the casting director subsequently offered him an audition for another project. Fortunately, this new opportunity turned out to be the Harry Potter series.

A Fair Compromise

Although it was probably disappointing to discover that his character from “Vanity Fair” had been dropped, Robert Pattinson first gained recognition through his role as Cedric Diggory. The character’s demise was undeniably sad, but imagine if he hadn’t taken on the role – that would have been even more unfortunate. Interestingly enough, Reese Witherspoon portrayed Sharp in “Vanity Fair,” and later she appeared alongside Pattinson as his love interest in “Water for Elephants.

5
‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ (2014)

James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” was an outstanding film, centering around a band of intergalactic outlaws who, in a twist of fate, united to protect the universe. It’s uncertain what character Pattinson was presented with, but there’s talk that he declined the offer, largely due to doubts about fitting into the superhero role so soon after “Twilight.” Ironically, not long afterwards, he would don the cape as Batman for the first time.

A Different Superhero

It seems Robert Pattinson was initially attracted to Batman because he doesn’t possess extraordinary abilities. Interestingly, the characters in Guardians of the Galaxy are similar in that they lack conventional powers too. Over time, it could be that Pattinson reconsidered his decision to portray a superhero. Alternatively, he might have found the brooding, dark character of Batman more appealing.

4
‘There Will Be Blood’ (2007)

The film “There Will Be Blood” revolves around Daniel Plainview, a man driven by ambition, who journeys to California with the goal of swindling landowners and amassing wealth from their oil resources. However, his path is fraught with challenges when Eli Sunday, a preacher, starts to question him. Matters escalate when Plainview’s adopted son, H.W., becomes deaf, and complications mount further when Plainview himself gets duped by a man posing as his half-brother. This tale of morality, money, and manipulation is frequently hailed as one of the finest movies of the 21st century, and it’s easy to imagine Robert Pattinson delivering a compelling performance in the role.

A Missed Opportunity

In a chat with HitFix, Robert Pattinson admitted that he believed “There Will be Blood” had the finest screenplay ever penned, but he couldn’t bring himself to take on the role. He didn’t disclose the reasons behind his decision or the character he tried out for. However, given that Paul Dano eventually landed those roles and later worked with Pattinson in “The Batman,” it’s plausible that was the part(s) Dano ultimately played.

3
‘The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford’ (2007)

The movie titled “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” isn’t just a lengthy title; it’s an excellent Western film. It revolves around Jesse James, known as the fastest gun in the West, as he plots his next major heist. The plot unfolds the series of events that culminated in James’ demise and how Robert Ford, who initially admired the outlaw, eventually developed contempt for him. Although we’re unsure about which role Robert Pattinson tried out for, his background in Westerns would have undoubtedly delivered a memorable performance.

More Uncertainty

During the same conversation with HitFix (previously mentioned), Pattinson once more voiced his doubts regarding not pursuing the film. His remarks suggested remorse over his choice, and given the film’s subsequent success, it’s easy to understand his feelings.

2
‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ (2010)

The movie “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” presents Scott Pilgrim in a battle against Ramona Flowers’ wicked troupe of former lovers. To be with her, he needs to conquer each one (including some from his past). At one point, it appeared as though the role of another ex-boyfriend, Lucas Lee, might have been played by Pattinson, but eventually, Chris Evans landed the part.

A Different Direction

In contrast to the feedback given on his role in Transformers, casting directors commended Robert Pattinson for his American accent and overall acting skills. They particularly appreciated his passionate performance, although they felt it might have been too intense this time around. As a result, Chris Evans was chosen instead. For now, there seems to be no sequel in the works; however, we can keep our fingers crossed that, if one is produced, Robert Pattinson may still be part of it.

1
‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ (2015)

Fifty Shades of Grey can be seen as a modern take on the vampire romance genre, with elements of BDSM incorporated into its narrative. The film centers around the complex relationship and power dynamics between Anastasia Steele, a literature student, and Christian Grey, a wealthy businessman who bears resemblance to Edward Cullen. Despite Christian Grey’s character being initially envisioned for Robert Pattinson due to his portrayal of Edward, Pattinson declined the role. The specific reasons behind his decision remain unknown.

Grey Reasons

In a chat with Howard Stern, Robert Pattinson appeared to reject claims that he had been given the role as Christian. Yet, at approximately the same period, author Bret Easton Ellis confirmed on Twitter that Pattinson was E.L. James’ initial pick for the part. Eventually, it was Jamie Dornan who landed the role, having since moved past the unfavorable criticisms and stereotyping associated with it. All things considered, it seems like Pattinson made a wise choice, as we might have missed some of his other impressive performances if he had taken on that role.

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2025-01-25 19:02