Robert Pattinson Refused to Do One Dangerous Thing for The Batman, Calling It 'Part of the Problem'
The Batman's Robert Pattinson rejected the rigid diet and exercise plan given to him for the role. Taking a stand against harmful, unrealistic body image standards, his refusal to conform is a step in the right direction for Hollywood.
Body image issues are stereotyped as a "women's problem." However, this is vastly untrue, as men and boys are not immune to having negative body image. There's no doubt that media and pop culture play a role in how a person views themselves, which is something actor Robert Pattinson seems to understand.
The actor of Twilightand Tenet fame refused to bulk up for his latest film, The Batman, saying in a GQ interview, "I think if you're working out all the time, you're part of the problem."
This problem Pattinson refers to is the unrealistic and harmful body image standards that Hollywood sets forth. "You set a precedent," he continues. "No one was doing this in the '70s. Even James Dean -- he wasn't exactly ripped."
Pattinson is right. The pervasive standard media sets for any person, regardless of gender identity, is suffocating. At worst, it can cause someone to take drastic measures to force their bodies to conform.
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) says, "about one in three people struggling with an eating disorder is male." Even if they don't have a clinical, diagnosed eating disorder, "subclinical eating disordered behaviors (including binge eating, purging, laxative abuse, and fasting for weight loss) are nearly as common among men as they are among women."
While there are a multitude of factors that influence whether or not someone develops an eating disorder (genetic predisposition, other mental illnesses, trauma, etc.) or engages in disordered eating behaviors, there's no denying media plays a role. For years, Hollywood has set the cultural beauty standard, suggesting that one has to measure up to it in order to be attractive.
In fact, Pattinson's Batman predecessors, Ben Affleck and Christian Bale, contributed to this harmful ideal through unhealthy dieting and exercise. Bale, after becoming extremely underweight for his role in The Machinist, gained a sizable amount of weight in a very short amount of time by binge eating and weightlifting. Affleck also undertook a rigid diet and exercise plan, with one article deeming his routine "chaotic."
Men looking to obtain Hollywood's beauty ideal will turn to the internet, seeking how these superheroes became so ripped. They'll try to emulate these actors' unhealthy and extreme workout and diet regimens.
And with the rise of social media, these toxic messages are even more ubiquitous. Every time you open your phone, you're flooded with images and videos with "diet culture." Fitness influencers with superhero-sized muscles post their progress photos on Instagram, their workout routines on TikTok, or their cheat days on YouTube.
To clarify, there's nothing wrong with working out (whether that's weight lifting or a stroll through the park) or eating what feels good to your body (whether that's an apple or a chocolate bar). But the pressure to diet and exercise to obtain the hulking figures superhero actors have sets one up for negative body image. People shouldn't have to feel pressure to force their bodies to be something they're not built to be. More actors should follow Robert Pattinson's lead and refuse to perpetuate Hollywood's beauty standards.
But these are not sustainable lifestyles, and could set a person up for a lifetime of disordered eating, negative body image, and poor mental and physical health. Because Robert Pattinson took a stand and chose not to emulate his Batman counterparts, he's helping to rewrite society's beauty standard narrative.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.