It has been long debated on what it means to be a “superhero”. Endless conversations have taken place on this very topic between countless social groups, to which many were left defending their own views and neither side conceding to the perspectives of the opposing side. And now, Batman himself, Robert Pattinson has stepped on the side with claims that the Caped Crusader is not a superhero because he simply does not have magical powers.
a benevolent fictional character with superhuman powers, such as Superman.
-Oxford Dictionary Definition of ‘Superhero’
Speaking with Today, Robert Pattinson had a few choice words when speaking with host Willie Geist regarding playing a hero in film. Here is the exact quote and select responses from this interview:
“Batman’s not a hero, though. He’s a complicated character. I don’t think I could ever play a real hero — there’s always got to be something a little bit wrong. I think it’s because one of my eyes is smaller than the other one.”
Willie Geist: I have to ask you about Batman. That came to you and you thought what? You want to be a superhero…
Robert Pattinson: Batman’s not a superhero.
Willie Geist: Forgive me! How do we classify it?
Robert Pattinson: It’s weird, I always balk at it. I’m like, ‘It doesn’t count, you need to have like magical powers to be a superhero.’
Willie Geist: I mean, he’s got a cape, so that’s a pretty good start.
Robert Pattinson: Yeah, the cape is there. I give you that one.
The first portion of the quote is exactly what came from Pattinson’s mouth. “Batman’s not a hero”. This part is objectively incorrect and there would be very few logical parties who could even find the tiniest foothold to support this statement. However, we would have to give Pattinson the benefit of the doubt that he meant superhero and not ‘hero’ as he stated since the conversation then leads on to continue regarding what defines a superhero.
The Oxford Dictionary would support what Pattinson says about being a superhero, however. So if you disagree or don’t, the facts are the facts. To be a superhero you need to have superpowers, to which Batman does not.
Batman is more than a man, he is an idea, an icon, and certainly a hero. We would say that he is certainly super, and we would still refer to Batman as a superhero, even perhaps the greatest of all time. But Pattinson and Oxford Dictionary would disagree with us on a few of those points.
The Batman hits theaters in 2021 and will be directed by Matt Reeves.
