Robert Pattinson, the former Twilight heartthrob, is odds-on to be the new Batman. Sources revealed to Variety that Pattinson is close to agreeing a deal with Warner Bros to take over the role from Ben Affleck, who pulled out of the project in January.

Matt Reeves assumes directing duties for The Batman which is set for release in 2021. Warner Bros is keen to give Reeves ample time for the film’s development, following the studio’s recent superhero flops Batman v Superman and Justice League.

The announcement prompted a mixed response from fans on Twitter with many still mourning the explosive chemistry between Christian Bale’s Batman and Heath Ledger’s Joker. Others cited the scepticism following Ledger’s own casting, only for him to put in an Oscar-winning performance. Inevitably, fan-art superimposing a Batman mask onto Pattinson's face has begun to litter people's timelines.

Pattinson, who has worked to establish himself in arthouse cinema since the conclusion of the Twilight Saga, features in four films out this year including Robert Eggers’ thriller The Lighthouse, Netflix’s The King and Ciro Guerra’s drama Waiting for the Barbarians.

He also stars in science fiction horror High Life directed by Clare Denis, who spoke to the star about her existential space odyssey for Dazed’s spring/summer 2019 issue. Given that Pattinson's bow as the Caped Crusader is yet to be official, neither the actor nor Warner Bros have made a statement.

You can read Clare Denis’ full interview with Robert Pattinson for Dazed here, in which the pair talk space, taboos, and black holes.