Robert Pattinson has drawn an unexpected comparison between his role in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic The Odyssey and the love triangle at the heart of the Twilight franchise.
Speaking to MTV ahead of the film’s release, the actor said audiences may find similarities between Antinous, the character he portrays in The Odyssey, and Jacob Black, played by Taylor Lautner in the Twilight films.
“I think they will be rooting for him. I keep comparing it—it’s kind of like Jacob in Twilight,” Pattinson said.
Robert Pattinson explains the comparison
Pattinson, who famously played vampire Edward Cullen in the Twilight series, said the central relationship in The Odyssey reminded him of the rivalry between Edward and Jacob.
“What The Odyssey is about — Penelope just can’t make her mind up between the two guys and I’m just trying to help her make a decision,” he said.
“It’s like, ‘It’s fine. He’s dead, get over it.’”
In Homer’s epic, Antinous is one of the leading suitors seeking to marry Penelope while her husband, Odysseus, is believed to be dead following the Trojan War.
Christopher Nolan called filming a ‘nightmare’
Pattinson’s comments come after director Christopher Nolan described the production as one of his most demanding projects.
Speaking at CinemaCon in April, Nolan said filming across Greece, Morocco, Italy, Scotland and Iceland presented major logistical challenges.
“This has been a nightmare to film – but in all the right ways,” Nolan said.
The director also praised leading actor Matt Damon, who plays Odysseus.
“He was there on the boats, up the mountains, in the caves, in the beating sunshine, sideways rain, wind. You’ll be pleased to know how difficult it was. It was meant to be; that’s the nature of the story.”
The Odyssey releases this month
The Odyssey features an ensemble cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron and Robert Pattinson.
The film is scheduled to be released in cinemas on July 17, marking Nolan’s latest adaptation of Homer’s classic Greek epic.