Forget the Twilight Saga, because according to Robert Pattinson, he’s found himself in another onscreen love triangle in The Odyssey.
During a recent interview with MTV U.K. at the world premiere in London of Christopher Nolan’s epic action-fantasy film, based on Homer’s ancient Greek poem, Pattinson was asked, “How fun is it to play a character that everyone is not rooting for?”
In The Odyssey, he plays Antinous, the primary antagonist and one of the many suitors pressuring Queen Penelope (Anne Hathaway) to marry him while King Odysseus (Matt Damon) is away.
“I think they will be rooting for him. I keep comparing it… it’s kind of like Jacob in Twilight,” Pattinson responded with a laugh, referencing Taylor Lautner‘s character in the blockbuster vampire romance franchise that launched his career.
“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,” The Drama actor quipped.
While The Odyssey and Twilight don’t have much in common, Pattinson was likely referring to Jacob’s attempts to win Bella’s (Kristen Stewart) heart from Edward (Pattinson) throughout most of the film franchise. Though Jacob was Edward’s romantic rival, he still had many fans rooting for him.
Universal Pictures’ The Odyssey, which hits theaters on July 17, follows Odysseus’ dangerous voyage back to Ithaca after the Trojan War, including battles with mythical creatures, as he attempts to reunite with his family. The pic also stars Tom Holland, Zendaya and Lupita Nyong’o.
Pattinson previously told GQ in June that he drew inspiration from James Woods in Casino when preparing for his role as Antinous.
“I thought it’d be quite nice to see it in Ithaca. And he’s like a little sleazy,” The Batman actor said. “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.”