Robert Pattinson explains why antagonists are his favourite characters to play

Robert Pattinson is embracing his reputation for playing complex antagonists, revealing that villain roles have become some of the most enjoyable characters of his career.

Speaking to People at the premiere of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, the actor explained why he is drawn to roles that challenge audience expectations.

When asked whether he enjoys portraying villains, Pattinson didn't hesitate.

“I do,” he said. “I like lowering people's expectations; that's always my favourite, that's always my place to be. Undersell and overdeliver—that's my motto.”

In The Odyssey, Pattinson plays Antinous, one of the suitors competing for Penelope's hand while Odysseus is presumed lost following the Trojan War.

However, the actor argued that his latest character should not be viewed as a traditional villain.

“I don't think he's really the bad guy,” Pattinson said.

He then offered a lighthearted defence of Antinous' motivations.

“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 joked.

Beyond The Odyssey, Pattinson is also set to portray another formidable antagonist in Dune: Part Three, where he will play Scytale, a shape-shifting villain who plots against Emperor Paul Atreides, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet.

The actor also shed light on how he prepares for each new role, explaining that he enjoys creating small character traits to help shape his performances.

“There's always one little thing that you kind of do every movie,” he said. “I always find some kind of little quirk.”

Although he admitted he couldn't recall the specific habit he adopted while filming The Odyssey, Pattinson remembered it drawing attention from those around him.

“I remember doing something which a lot of people thought I was very strange doing, but I can't remember what it was,” he said.