Full Breakdown
Robert Pattinson Links Antinous to Twilight’s Jacob at Nolan’s “The Odyssey” Premiere
7/7/2026, 9:00:03 PM
Premise of the Joke: Antinous Meets Jacob
At the London world-premiere press tour for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic The Odyssey, actor Robert Pattinson compared his villainous suitor Antinous to Jacob Black from *The Twilight Saga*. Pattinson framed the ancient love-triangle as a modern YA romance, quipping that Penelope “just can’t make her mind up between the two guys” and that he was “trying to help her make a decision.” He added, with a laugh, “It’s fine. He’s dead, get over it,” referring to Odysseus’s long absence. The comparison resonated online because it juxtaposes Pattinson’s former role as Edward Cullen with his current antagonist, creating a meme-ready moment that blends his franchise history with Nolan’s mythic vision.
Film Context: Nolan’s Adaptation and Ensemble
*The Odyssey* adapts Homer’s poem into a large-scale action-fantasy slated for release on July 17, 2026. Universal Pictures’ trailer emphasizes the film’s IMAX presentation and its star-studded cast: Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, with supporting roles for Tom Holland, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron. The production marks Nolan’s first foray into classical mythology, positioning the film as one of 2026’s major cinematic events.
Character Insight: Antinous as a Sleazy Romantic Rival
Pattinson described Antinous as “a little like James Woods in *Casino*,” emphasizing “sleazy glamour” and entitlement. He imagined the suitor wearing “leopard underpants” beneath his costume, a detail he said he wanted visible “just coming out of my skirt, a little sparkly fur.” This self-characterization suggests a performance that blends charm with delusion, moving Antinous beyond a one-note villain to a charismatic, self-aware rival.
Official Promotion: Universal’s Release Plan
Universal Pictures’ official communications confirm the July 17, 2026 theatrical launch and highlight the film’s mythological scope and IMAX format. The studio’s promotional strategy includes the London premiere press tour, where Pattinson’s remarks serve as a light-hearted hook to generate buzz among both film-goers and fans of his earlier work.
Critical Reception & Audience Uncertainty
Early coverage notes the film’s visual ambition and ensemble cast, but audience reaction to Antinous remains ambiguous. Commentators observe that while Pattinson’s meme-friendly edge may attract attention, it is “still uncertain” whether viewers will “become Team Antinous.” No formal criticism of the comparison itself appears in the sources; the primary concern is whether the joke translates into broader audience support for the character.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think they will be rooting for him. I keep comparing it... it's kind of like Jacob in Twilight,” — Robert Pattinson, Actor
- “I keep comparing it... it's kind of like Jacob in Twilight,” — Robert Pattinson, Actor
- “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,” — Robert Pattinson, Actor
- “It's fine. He's dead, get over it,” — Robert Pattinson, Actor
- “I kept saying at my costume fitting, I was like, 'I really want to have leopard underpants.' I want to have it just coming out of my skirt, a little sparkly fur.” — Robert Pattinson, Actor
What’s Next
Following the press tour, the film will continue its global promotional circuit ahead of the July 17, 2026 release. Additional interviews and red-carpet events are expected to further explore Pattinson’s Antinous and the film’s reinterpretation of Homer’s saga, while audience sentiment will likely crystallize as trailers and teasers circulate.
