The Batman: Why you shouldn’t be expecting an unrealistically bulky hero

Don’t let the comics fool you. Not all heroes wear capes, nor do they don’t need to live in the gym and that’s coming from Batman himself Robert Pattinson.

When you think of a hero, one of the things that often comes to mind is their physique. Go look at any comic book out there, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a hero who looks like an everyday average Joe. A lot of the times, the superheroes within the pages of a comic tend to either look like a fitness model or bodybuilder.

Yes, looking the part has become a requirement that actors and actresses must adhere to, but when playing a comic book character, that can lead to comparisons to their comic book counterparts. Whether it’s contractually required or just an unspoken obligation, our comic book movie heroes are seemingly expected to depict similar physical traits.

However, in a recent interview with GQ, The Batman actor Robert Pattinson revealed he was refusing to adhere to the set standard during quarantine, commenting:

"“I think if you’re working out all the time, you’re part of the problem… You set a precedent… No one was doing this in the 1970s. Even James Dean – he wasn’t exactly ripped.”"

Historically, actors like Chris Evans received praise for their physical transformation. He went from a slim comedic actor to the bulky Captain America we saw in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Superman actor Henry Cavill broke the internet when it was revealed that his muscles wore down the leather of his The Witcher costume.

Those are just a few of many examples of actors going the extra mile to look the part of a live-action comic book hero ripped straight from the comics, and while their commitment is certainly appreciated, Pattinson’s comments have reignited the age-old argument of society putting too much into the idea of image.

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The problem is, we live in a society where some people are often too obsessed with physical traits. Let’s not get it twisted, there isn’t anything wrong with going to the gym or remaining committed to achieving the body that you want. In fact, Pattinson admitted that he still adheres to his healthy Batman meal plan. His point is that he doesn’t obsess over the notion of getting ripped during this time. In some ways, he’s right.

Who can forget the ridiculous criticism that Gal Gadot faced for being “too skinny” after being cast as Wonder Woman? The actress responded by stating that she was a Wonder Woman for a new generation, and ultimately went on to prove it in the phenomenal 2017 film. And Wonder Woman’s success ultimately proved that Gadot didn’t need any of the unrealistic comic book physical traits to embody what Wonder Woman meant. And all of that could also be applied to Grant Gustin’s portrayal of The Flash on The CW’s acclaimed TV series.

Pattinson appears to take the same approach with his work. Sure it’s cool, but not every hero needs to look shredded. For example, Tom Holland, who plays Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is in fantastic shape, but he isn’t going to get confused for Chris Hemsworth’s Thor – nor should he need to be for the role of Peter Parker. The same goes for Pattinson’s Dark Knight.

Batman is the mask that Bruce Wayne wears when he needs to save his city. However, as the billionaire playboy, Bruce doesn’t have to look hulking or shredded, just fit. Batman is a martial artist that relies on intellect and skill over brawn. It appears that’s exactly what we’ll get in The Batman when Matt Reeves’ film comes to theaters Oct 1, 2021.

Are you looking forward to The Batman? Let us know in the comments below!