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Robert Pattinson explains why he'd rather be the villain than hero

Robert Pattinson says 'The Odyssey' villain isn't really the bad guy

Published July 11, 2026
Robert Pattinson explains why hed rather be the villain than hero
Robert Pattinson explains why he'd rather be the villain than hero

Robert Pattinson talked about his two major villain roles.

In an interview with People Magazine at the premiere of The Odyssey, Pattinson shared why playing antagonists has become one of his favourite things.

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When asked if he enjoys exploring villainous characters, he said, "I do," adding, "I like lowering people’s expectations; that’s always my favorite, that’s always my place to be. Undersell and overdeliver, that’s my motto."

In Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, Pattinson portrays Antinous, the ambitious suitor who attempts to win Penelope's hand while Odysseus is presumed lost after the Trojan War.

Defending his character, Robert Pattinson said, "I don’t think he’s really the bad guy."

"I think he’s just like. . . It’s a love story, it’s a love story. Penelope is just waiting for Antinous to get older," he added.

It is pertinent to mention that Pattinson also stars as Scytale, the shape-shifting antagonist plotting against Emperor Paul Atreides, played by Thimothee Chalamet in Dune: Part Three.

He also shared about how he gets into his character on set, saying, "There’s always one little thing that you kind of do every movie, I always find some kind of little quirk. I’m trying to remember what it was on this."

"I remember doing something which a lot of people thought I was very strange doing, but I can’t remember [what]," he added.

Syeda Waniya
Syeda Waniya is a reporter with one year of experience, covering films, streaming platforms, and celebrity culture. She analyses content trends and audience reception, providing thoughtful insights into what drives popularity in entertainment while presenting stories in a clear, engaging, and accessible format.