Robert Pattinson has a habit of saying things that catch people off guard. During the London premiere of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, he did it again. When asked about playing a character the audience isn’t supposed to root for, Pattinson didn’t lean into the villain label. Instead, he compared his role to Jacob Black from the Twilight saga.
“I think they will be rooting for him,” he said. “I keep comparing it… it’s kind of like Jacob in Twilight.”
The comment drew laughs, but it also revealed something interesting about how Pattinson sees his character, Antinous — the main suitor pressuring Queen Penelope while her husband Odysseus is away at war.
Reframing the Villain
In the original Greek myth, Antinous is one of the most aggressive and unlikeable suitors. He leads the group of men who have taken over Odysseus’s palace, eating his food, drinking his wine, and pressuring his wife to remarry. He’s often portrayed as arrogant, entitled, and ultimately deserving of his fate when Odysseus returns.
Nolan’s version, however, appears to be giving the character more shading. Pattinson’s comparison to Jacob suggests he sees Antinous as someone who believes he’s doing the right thing — or at least the practical thing — in a complicated situation. Just like Jacob in Twilight, who genuinely thought he was the better choice for Bella, Antinous seems to view himself as a reasonable alternative to a husband who may never come home.
Pattinson playfully commented on the situation with a contemporary twist, joking that Penelope simply couldn’t choose between the two men, while he was just trying to help her finally make up her mind. It’s like, it’s fine. He’s dead, get over it.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, this comparison was one of the standout moments from the film’s press tour.
A Different Kind of Antagonist
What makes Pattinson’s take stand out is how it challenges the traditional reading of the story. In most adaptations of The Odyssey, the suitors are treated as clear villains. By comparing Antinous to Jacob — a character who was divisive but had genuine fans — Pattinson is hinting that Nolan’s film might be more morally complex than expected.
This approach fits with Nolan’s filmmaking style. Even in his more straightforward stories, he often avoids painting characters in black and white. In The Odyssey, this could mean giving Antinous moments of charm, vulnerability, or even dark humor that make him more than just a one-note obstacle for Odysseus to overcome.
In earlier interviews with GQ, Pattinson revealed he drew inspiration from James Woods’ performance in Casino for the role, describing Antinous as “a little sleazy.” His Twilight comparison now adds another dimension.
From Edward Cullen to Antinous
It’s hard to ignore the irony of Pattinson making a Twilight reference while promoting a Christopher Nolan film. The actor who once played the brooding vampire Edward Cullen has spent the last decade deliberately moving away from that image. Roles in films like Good Time, The Lighthouse, Tenet, and The Batman have redefined him as one of the most interesting and unpredictable actors of his generation.
Yet here he is, at the premiere of one of the biggest films of the year, casually dropping a Twilight joke. It shows how comfortable he has become with his past. Instead of distancing himself from the franchise that made him famous, he’s using it as a reference point — and doing it with humor.
As noted by Variety, moments like these help make big studio films feel more approachable and human.
The Premiere and Early Reactions
The London premiere of The Odyssey was a major event, with much of the cast in attendance. While most interviews focused on the film’s epic scope and Nolan’s ambitious vision, Pattinson’s comments cut through the noise. They gave the character of Antinous an unexpected hook that audiences could immediately understand.
Some fans online have already started joking about “Team Antinous,” while others appreciated the actor’s willingness to bring levity to such a heavy project. Entertainment Weekly also covered how quickly the comparison spread online after the event.
Pattinson has always had a dry, slightly self-deprecating sense of humor in interviews.This comparison feels perfectly on-brand for him — clever, playfully cheeky, and clearly tuned in to how the internet would react.
What It Says About Nolan’s Vision
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has been one of the most anticipated films in years. With a massive budget, an all-star cast, and Nolan’s signature large-format approach, expectations are extremely high. The decision to adapt such a well-known story also carries risk — audiences already know the basic beats of Odysseus’s journey.
By giving characters like Antinous more personality and moral ambiguity, Nolan may be trying to make the story feel fresh. Pattinson’s comments suggest that the film isn’t simply retelling the myth beat for beat, but rather exploring the gray areas between heroism and self-interest.
As TheWrap reported, the premiere interviews were filled with thoughtful discussions about the film’s themes, but Pattinson’s Twilight reference stood out for its unexpected humor.
A Memorable Soundbite
In the end, Pattinson’s Twilight comparison may end up being one of the most quoted lines from the film’s press tour. It’s the kind of offhand remark that spreads quickly online and gives casual viewers a reason to pay attention to a character they might otherwise dismiss as just another villain.
Whether audiences actually end up rooting for Antinous remains to be seen. But Pattinson has already succeeded in making the character more interesting before most people have even seen the film.
For an actor who once tried to escape the shadow of Twilight, it’s oddly fitting that he’s now using it as a reference point in one of the biggest movies of his career. As highlighted by IMDb News, this moment has already become one of the most discussed parts of the film’s promotional cycle.
