Robert Pattinson says his Odyssey role is like Twilight's Jacob
Robert Pattinson told MTV UK that his suitor Antinous in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is "kind of like Jacob in Twilight," joking that Penelope cannot choose between two men while he urges her to move on because Odysseus is presumed dead—flipping his old Edward Cullen rivalry nearly 15 years later.
Pattinson made the surprise comparison at the London world premiere while promoting Universal's Homer adaptation, which hits theaters on July 17. The moment reframes a character often cast as a villain and ties one of 2026's biggest releases to the franchise that launched his career.
Key Takeaways
- Pattinson plays Antinous, a suitor pressuring Queen Penelope while King Odysseus is away in Nolan's epic.
- He compared the role to Taylor Lautner's Jacob Black, not his own Edward Cullen from Twilight.
- The actor joked audiences may root for Antinous in a love-triangle dynamic echoing the vampire saga.
- The remarks landed as the official trailer faces heavy YouTube backlash, with dislikes topping 650,000.
- The Odyssey stars Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, and Tom Holland alongside Pattinson.
What did Robert Pattinson say about his The Odyssey role?
Speaking with MTV UK at the London premiere, Pattinson was asked how fun it is to play someone audiences might not cheer for. He pushed back with a laugh. "I think they will be rooting for him," he said, adding, "I keep comparing it—it's kind of like Jacob in Twilight."
He then boiled the plot down in blunt terms: "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 clip quickly circulated online, amplifying a soundbite Deadline and other outlets picked up.
Why is Robert Pattinson comparing Antinous to Jacob Black?
In Twilight, Pattinson's Edward Cullen competed with Jacob for Bella Swan's affection across five films starting in 2008. In Nolan's film, he steps into the rival's shoes as Antinous, one of many suitors seeking Penelope's hand and Odysseus' throne in Ithaca.
The Hollywood Reporter noted the epics have little else in common, but Jacob long had fans rooting for him even as Edward won Bella. Pattinson's quip suggests he sees a similar underdog energy in Antinous, who pressures a queen to move on from a man believed lost at sea. The actor previously told GQ he also drew on James Woods' Lester Diamond from Casino when shaping the role.
How is trailer backlash shaping buzz around The Odyssey?
Cosmic Book News reported that as Pattinson's interview spread, Universal's official trailer sat at roughly 651,000 YouTube dislikes against about 71,000 likes—an unusually lopsided ratio critics tied to casting, dialogue, and tone. The outlet argued Pattinson "selling" the film as Twilight underscored fan fears Nolan's version strays from Homer.
That online heat contrasts with red-carpet praise in London, where cast members fielded press questions days before the July 17 release. For more premiere-season coverage, see our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
When does Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey open in theaters?
Universal Pictures releases The Odyssey nationwide on July 17, 2026. Matt Damon leads as Odysseus on his decade-long journey home after the Trojan War, facing mythical trials while Anne Hathaway plays Penelope and Tom Holland plays their son Telemachus.
It marks Nolan's first directorial feature since Oppenheimer, with a stacked ensemble that also includes Zendaya and Lupita Nyong'o. Pattinson's Jacob comparison adds a lighter viral hook as the studio heads into opening week.