The classic 2007 movie Robert Pattinson “pussied out” of auditioning for: “I wouldn’t do it again”
It can be difficult to have confidence in yourself sometimes, even after you have risen to superstardom by landing the central role of Edward Cullen in the hit teen vampire series Twilight, something that led Robert Pattinson to ‘pussy out’ of a few major auditions
Adapted from Stephanie Meyers’ epynomous book, he appeared opposite Kristen Stewart’s Bella Swan as a century-old vampire, with the first movie alone being a huge phenomenon, but grew further frenzied when midnight screenings saw people queuing up for first viewings of the latest instalment, while fierce debates over whether you were Team Edward or Team Jacob could make or break friendships.
Even though Pattinson cherishes his experience, when you look at what he was dipping his toes into otherwise, you can understand why he soon seemed to tire of Edward Cullen. In 2009, he played surrealist Salvador Dalí in Little Ashes, hardly a teen-friendly heartthrob, where he actually masturbated on screen (there was no acting involved), and over the years, he has further proved his penchant for boundary-pushing and genuinely exhilarating cinema.
Whether that be the intense Good Time, the modern classic The Lighthouse, or, of course, his unforgettable performance in Claire Denis’ uncomfortable, erotically-tinged sci-fi film High Life, he clearly has always had it in him to be in a movie that asks a lot of him.
However, in 2007, when he only had a few credits to his name, Pattinson turned down an audition for There Will Be Blood by Paul Thomas Anderson, which would, of course, become lauded as one of the greatest movies of the 21st century. The actor was too intimidated by the scope of the role, which was presumably the dual part of Eli and Paul.
It was a mighty script, and what’s more, he’d be appearing opposite Hollywood icon Daniel Day-Lewis, so he didn’t think he stood a chance, telling HitFix, “I remember reading the script and thinking it was the best script ever. I just couldn’t do it. And I was so pissed off afterwards. I was gonna go into the audition, but I was just, like, I can’t do it.”
Paul Dano would come to bag the part instead, and he delivered an incredible performance as the twins, holding his own against Day-Lewis, which is no small feat. He might’ve missed out on an Academy Award nomination, but his performance has been widely praised, with the only exception being Quentin Tarantino.
This wasn’t the only film that Pattinson was too scared to audition for, though, adding, “Also, The Assassination of Jesse James [by the Coward Robert Ford], that was the other. I don’t know why I’ve pussied out of these things. I wouldn’t do it ever again.”
It seems like he has learned his lesson, and now that he’s played Batman, I’m sure he no longer feels those nagging doubts or crippling imposter syndrome.
