Robert Pattinson Joins Werner Herzog's 'Queen Of The Desert' With Naomi Watts

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by Kevin Jagernauth
August 14, 2012 4:08 PM
27 Comments

Now, this is how you not only get over a breakup, but continue to build a helluva resume. Say what you will about Robert Pattinson, but he is using his "Twilight" fame to take on challenging, interesting projects. Over the past few months, he's attached himself to "Mission: Blacklist" about the hunt for Saddam Hussein, a mystery movie about The Band, and "Animal Kingdom" director David Michod's "The Rover." But wow, we could not have seen this next move coming.

Pattinson will co-star in Werner Herzog's next film "Queen Of The Desert" opposite Naomi Watts. The film will tell the true story of Gertrude Bell (Watts), the traveler, writer, archaeologist, explorer, cartographer, and political attaché for the British Empire at the dawn of the twentieth century. So who will Pattinson play? Only one of the most important figures in recent history, T.E. Lawrence aka Lawrence Of Arabia, who worked with Bell to establish the Hashemite dynasties in Jordan and Iraq.

This movie first started percolating well over a year ago, but this bit of news certainly kicks it to high gear. Indeed, production is now being aimed for a late fall start (we'd guess after 'Breaking Dawn 2' press obligations are over), and hopefully this gets the ball rolling on what will be Herzog's first narrative film since 2009's double whammy of "Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans" and "My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done" (yeah, it's been that long). Hopefully, this historical epic won't involve moving a boat over a mountain, but Herzog + Pattinson? That's the craziest thing we've heard since Cronenberg + Pattinson....oh, wait.... [Variety]

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More: Robert Pattinson, Queen Of The Desert, Naomi Watts, Werner Herzog

27 Comments

| Reply
jarleen | December 18, 2012 5:58 PMReply

i think he is very good in movie because he get call to make a movie he is very hot all the movie he make he is a great kisss
Kris | August 21, 2012 12:17 PMReply

Pattinson is making some interesting choices, but after seeing Prometheus I think Michael Fassbender would be the best choice to play T.E. Lawrence.
jarllen | December 18, 2012 5:59 PM

he make good movie
Linda | August 15, 2012 8:53 AMReply

Give this young man a break. He is only 26 and he is picking interesting parts that are challenging. This says a lot about his true character and obviously he is not interested in the money but more interested in honing his acting skills. I personally am tired of everyone basing their opinions because of the Twilight films. In every film I see a marked maturity and in a few years he will be celebrated as a great actor. If you gave this much attention to johnny depp or some other actors you could say the same about them when they were young. He will make a great Lawrence and this is from someone who believes Leans LOA is the best movie ever made.
kitcon | August 14, 2012 9:31 PMReply

With Pattinson co-starring it seems it will be less a biopic about Bell and more about the working relationship b/w Bell & Lawrence. I'd like to see Bell get the full Lawrence of Arabia treatment but I'll probably have to wait for the Scott/Jolie pic for that.
Real | August 14, 2012 6:57 PMReply

I've been hoping for a biopic of Gertrude Bell for years. She was an incredible woman so I'm beyond happy this project is finally happening. I'm glad that the Wattts/Herzog is happening rather than the Angelina Jolie/Ridley Scott version as I think Watts is a better fit. Superficially Pattinson will make a good Lawrence but anyone who portrays Lawrence on the big screen is very brave given how revered Peter O'Toole's portrayal.
verdelamet | August 14, 2012 5:52 PMReply

Now, this is how you not only get over a breakup ----> oh, yes! With a style!
Tina | August 14, 2012 5:29 PMReply

To all the predictables saying Rob's a bad actor, what exactly are your credentials? Shut up and do it yourself because you are in no position! Pattinson got his start in a highly sought after part in a Harry Potter film, made his way to a highly sought after part for Twilight(for this he gets the nonsensical hate and insults), was cast by Olivier award winning directors Declan Delellan and Nick Ormerod, Sopranos' Alan Coulter, Cronenberg and now Herzog so STFU! His award winning co-stars and respected directors have nothing but praise for him and he continues to fight a vicious bias for being Edward Cullen, but you can't even claim they hire him for Twilight dollars as you haters contradict yourselves as he chooses difficult, arty genres!
Zack | August 14, 2012 6:08 PM

You don't need any particular credentials to think somebody's a bad actor, Commenter Who Is Totally Not Robert Pattinson.
Harley Quinn | August 14, 2012 5:29 PMReply

These indie films only cast Rob because he is a guarantee of getting financing. That's why Cronenberg uses him. And he brings a lot of attention to a movie, but he doesn't cost very much.
Stevie | August 14, 2012 5:13 PMReply

Everyone knows that Pattinson gets cast because of his big-box-office Twilight clout. The franchise heft he wields lures investors to the project who believe that R.Patz's presence alone will make the film a hit with the tween set. It's all about box office. As far as his talent goes... wait -- what talent? Pet store hamsters have turned in more convincing acting work.
paul | August 14, 2012 5:21 PM

yeah, but these that he is in aren't doing huge boxoffice, they are all indie films. there is no way in hell twihards are going to watch a herzog movie.
Ted | August 14, 2012 4:54 PMReply

I'm sure he's a nice guy and all but he's an awful actor.
Kristi | August 19, 2012 4:30 AM

JEALOUS MUCH????????????
George | August 14, 2012 5:09 PM

Are you questioning both Cronenberg AND Herzog???
gabi | August 14, 2012 4:50 PMReply

he is moving on and these Directors don't cast him out of sympathy, so you silly people, who doubt first Cronenberg now doubt Herzog, your silliness is becoming boring and its quiet shameful
Tina | August 14, 2012 5:35 PM

Of course the haters know better than these experienced directors!! What a joke the haters are!
AH | August 14, 2012 4:45 PMReply

This is the most ridiculous casting I've ever heard. Good luck!
Alex | August 14, 2012 4:44 PMReply

Good move Pattinson! You have my respect.
jen | August 14, 2012 4:40 PMReply

The Kristen Stewart fans are here bashing Robert Pattinson AGAIN. Rob has gotten rave reviews for Cosmopolis. Great directors want to work with him.
yer | August 14, 2012 4:16 PMReply

Sorry, but merely working with famous directors does not make you an good and or important actor. The films have to actually be good so you can rule Cosmopolis out.
kindred spirit | August 14, 2012 7:58 PM

I think Cosmopolis takes full advantage of his less-than-there personality/screen presence/charisma and utilizes it to the full extent which in many ways works for the character. I think Patz seems like a genuinely good guy who tries his best, but you can't turn an average actor into a DDL or Woody Harrelson. I'll cut the guy some slack, but lets not get too crazy and say he has been impressive post-Twilight (or within the franchise for that matter). Both him and K Stew are very limited talent-wise but I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong when they prove otherwise. Until then, lets just all agree to disagree (or you can do the right thing and just agree with me).
The Playlist | August 14, 2012 5:19 PM

"Cosmopolis" is a love it or hate it film. You're either going to go with it or you're not. I thought it was super engaging and thought-provoking, but I can understand how others may not like it. The staff definitely has been mixed on it, though so far I think we are leaning on the positive side.
MDL | August 14, 2012 4:46 PM

Ummm, who says Cosmopolis isn't any good? So far the reviews are mixed to positive - that doesn't mean it is not good. Note that if one critic says 'masterpiece' and another critic says 'fail' you don't have to side with the one who doesn't like it.

Also the point made in the article about Pattinson is that he is choosing much more interesting and seasoned directors than one might expect given his fame. I would definitely give him him respect for choosing to work with Cronenberg and Herzog despite what may come of it. The experience matters most. Would you say no to working with Herzog unless he could guarantee a masterpiece in the eyes of everyone?
paul | August 14, 2012 4:40 PM

saw cosmopolis. he was good in it. the last scene with him and giamatti was amazing.
jt | August 14, 2012 4:33 PM

Yer, I agree, but , also the performance has to be good. Sadly, Robert has yet to give a good performance.
Jesse | August 14, 2012 4:29 PM

But being in a good film doesn't necessarily make you a good actor either.
You can be a good actor and act well in a bad movie. Plenty of examples out there.