Robert Pattinson Says Audiences Will Root for His The Odyssey Villain, and He’s Comparing It to a Certain Twilight Wolf

Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey‘ has been dominating headlines all week, and the buzz shows no signs of slowing down as the film barrels toward its theatrical release. Between the star-studded photocalls and the sea-themed red carpet in London, the cast has been dishing out plenty of memorable soundbites for fans to chew on. It seems every new interview reveals another layer of what audiences can expect from Nolan’s massive adaptation of Homer’s ancient epic.

Robert Pattinson has quickly become one of the most talked-about members of the ensemble, largely thanks to his turn as the film’s central antagonist. The former ‘Twilight’ heartthrob has embraced a much darker role this time around, and he has not been shy about discussing what makes his character tick. His comments during the London press tour have already sparked plenty of conversation among longtime fans of his career.

In ‘The Odyssey,’ Pattinson plays Antinous, one of the many suitors relentlessly pressuring Queen Penelope into marriage while her husband Odysseus is presumed dead following the Trojan War. When asked how it feels to play a character that audiences are not necessarily supposed to root for, the actor offered a surprisingly playful response. He suggested that some viewers might actually end up backing his villain, much like they did for a certain someone in his own cinematic past.

“I think they will be rooting for him. I keep comparing it, it’s kind of like Jacob in Twilight,” Pattinson said, speaking to MTV U.K. at the world premiere, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter. The comparison immediately drew laughs, given how different the ancient Greek setting of ‘The Odyssey’ is from the teenage werewolf drama of the ‘Twilight Saga.’ Still, the parallel makes sense once you break down the dynamics at play in both stories.

Pattinson went on to elaborate on the love triangle at the heart of the film, framing his character’s motivations in a lighthearted way. “What The Odyssey is about, Penelope just can’t make her mind up between the two guys and I’m just trying to like help her make a decision. It’s like, it’s fine. He’s dead, get over it,” he joked. The remark clearly leaned into the absurdity of Antinous believing he has a real shot with Penelope while Odysseus is still very much alive and making his way home.

For those who need a refresher, Jacob Black was Taylor Lautner’s character in the ‘Twilight’ franchise, a rival for Bella Swan’s affection who competed against Pattinson’s own Edward Cullen for most of the series. Despite losing that particular love triangle, Jacob developed an enormous and devoted fanbase over the years. Pattinson’s suggestion that Antinous could inspire a similar kind of loyalty adds an unexpectedly meta layer to his latest role.

‘The Odyssey’ follows Odysseus on his perilous ten-year journey home to Ithaca after the fall of Troy, battling mythical creatures and forces along the way while his family waits and wonders if he will ever return. Matt Damon leads the film as Odysseus, with Anne Hathaway playing Penelope and Tom Holland taking on the role of their son Telemachus. The cast also includes Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron among a sprawling ensemble that has generated massive anticipation ahead of release.

Pattinson previously opened up about his approach to playing Antinous, revealing that he drew inspiration from an unexpected source when building out the character. He has described wanting a sleazier, more theatrical presence for the role, right down to specific costume requests that leaned into the character’s arrogance. That kind of commitment to leaning into the villain’s excess seems to be paying off if early reactions to his premiere comments are any indication.

Fans online have already latched onto the Twilight comparison, with plenty of jokes circulating about Antinous potentially becoming an unlikely fan favorite despite his scheming ways. Given how divisive love triangles tend to be in pop culture, it will be interesting to see whether audiences end up siding with Pattinson’s prediction once the film hits theaters. ‘The Odyssey’ arrives in theaters on July 17.

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