Report: That Coveted Lead Role in Matt Reeves’ The Batman is Down to Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult

JB Augustine |

May 31, 2019

The hunt for who will don the cape and cowl in Matt Reeves’s new movie is not over yet. And, reportedly, the choice is between two contenders.

Nicholas Hoult (currently Beast in the last few X-Men films) and odds-on favorite Robert Pattinson are conducting screen tests that will decide who the new Batman is. This update comes from Umberto Gonzalez of Heroic Hollywood who tweeted the news, saying:

BATMAN UPDATE: Robert Pattinson & Nicholas Hoult are screen testing for the role. I suspect they’re screen testing in the Batsuit because Wardrobe Department will need full wardrobe test. Additionally, the film will now start production in Q1 2020.🦇 pic.twitter.com/eekafrqomL

— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) May 30, 2019

Pattinson appeared to be a lock initially, only for reps at Warner Bros. to correct the record and say the two sides hadn’t reached a deal. That put the Twilight actor in the camp of the top prospect as word surfaced Hoult was also vying for the part. Both have been met with a strong social media reaction — for and against.

Gonzalez wrote they are screen testing in a Batsuit. This is only his suspicion but a logical one with a precedent. Christian Bale did his screen test for Batman Begins with Amy Adams in a costume left over from Batman Forever. Tape of it later surfaced online as a funny look back at a time before either reached superstar status marked by the comic book characters they played.

Casting directors, as well as filmmakers and studios, need an idea of how an actor will look on screen in costume especially when you’re dealing with a superhero movie. Hence, the dueling screen tests make a lot of sense.

Production is supposed to start in early 2020 because of the newest delay but could commence even earlier as British site UK Production News thinks it will. They report cameras will roll “in London this Autumn.”

THE BATMAN, a new film to be directed by Matt Reeves, is shooting in London this Autumn.

Visit https://t.co/PDDW8hgQhK for more info about this production and many more. pic.twitter.com/ORALULsA5y

— UK Production News (@Uk_Production) May 29, 2019

If this is the case, Matt Reeves is coming down to the wire. Announcements have to be made official soon to make every deadline including the June 2021 release date.

Who do you think we’ll see as the next Batman? Either pique your interest? Let us know.