Willem Dafoe Thinks Robert Pattinson Has an Important ‘Batman’ Quality

4-time Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe has some thoughts about why Robert Pattinson, the rumored star of Matt Reeves‘ upcoming The Batman for Warner Bros. Pictures, has an important quality to bring the capped crusader to the big screen.

“He’s got a strong chin. That’s a part of it,” Dafoe told Variety during a chat at Cannes about Lighthouse, which Pattinson co-stars in. “Can you imagine anyone with a weak chin ever playing Batman? I don’t think so.”

We have to agree, Willem.

It’s not that we don’t think Pattinson can pull it off, but we also all have to remember that this will (and should) be a very different Bruce Wayne than we’ve seen in the most recent iteration *cough* Batfleck *cough*.

Reeves has said his film will be a “point of view-driven, noir Batman tale,” and will feature the Rogue’s Gallery that have continually plagued the Dark Knight and Gotham for so many decades.

“It’s told very squarely on his shoulders, and I hope it’s going to be a story that will be thrilling but also emotional. It’s more Batman in his detective mode than we’ve seen in the films. The comics have a history of that. He’s supposed to be the world’s greatest detective, and that’s not necessarily been a part of what the movies have been. I’d love this to be one where when we go on that journey of tracking down the criminals and trying to solve a crime, it’s going to allow his character to have an arc so that he can go through a transformation.

There will be a Rogues Gallery. The casting process will begin shortly. We’re starting to put together our battle plan. I’m doing another pass on the script and we’ll begin some long-lead stuff to start developing conceptual things.”

We will of course let you know what we hear from Warner Bros. Pictures about official confirmation (which we’re still waiting on) for The Batman, which currently has a release date of June 25th, 2021.