Robert Pattinson, known for his versatile career, is set to transform his image by taking on major villain roles in 2026. In some of the year’s most highly anticipated films, the focus keyword Robert Pattinson 2026 villain roles comes to life through his characters in “The Odyssey” and “Dune: Part Three.”
Pattinson’s Evolution from Heroic to Sinister Roles
Robert Pattinson’s journey as an actor began with roles like Cedric Diggory in
“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”
and Edward Cullen in the “Twilight” franchise, which established him as a heroic figure in Hollywood. Throughout the past decade, Pattinson distanced himself from that image, pursuing independent films and often taking on complex, ambiguous characters that challenged typical leading man expectations.
While he has portrayed sinister characters before—such as an unpleasant reverend in “The Devil All the Time”—these roles have been exceptions in a body of work largely dominated by nuanced antiheroes. Pattinson’s return to blockbusters with Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” and “The Batman” reinforced his position on the heroic end of the spectrum. However, this pattern is set to shift with his upcoming projects.
A Dramatic Shift in 2026: Two High-Profile Villain Parts
In 2026, Pattinson’s slate includes three major films. While “The Drama,” releasing April 3 and set to pair Pattinson with Zendaya in a romantic comedy-drama directed by Kristoffer Borgli, continues to draw on his strengths as both a leading man and an unconventional performer, it is the other two projects that signify a profound change.
“The Odyssey” by Christopher Nolan and “Dune: Part Three” directed by Denis Villeneuve, both feature Pattinson in antagonist roles and star some of the industry’s most sought-after actors, including Zendaya, Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Timothée Chalamet, and Florence Pugh. These films place Pattinson in opposition to widely recognized heroes and are poised to reshape his on-screen persona for mainstream audiences.
Pattinson’s Role as Antinous in Nolan’s “The Odyssey”
Scheduled for release on July 17, 2026, “The Odyssey” is bringing Homer’s classic tale to cinema under Nolan’s direction. Pattinson will portray Antinous, the principal adversary among Penelope’s suitors and a figure synonymous with arrogance and challenge within Odysseus’s household. In Homer’s epic, Antinous emerges as the most brazen and antagonistic of the suitors, positioning himself as the story’s main human threat to Odysseus’s family and home.
If Nolan’s adaptation remains true to the original text, Pattinson’s Antinous could quickly become a character audiences love to hate. The anticipated dynamic will see him clashing with Tom Holland’s Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, as well as other characters played by Matt Damon and Zendaya. Nolan, serving as both writer and director, helms a cast featuring Anne Hathaway in addition to those mentioned above, promising an intense exploration of loyalty, rivalry, and consequence.
A Shapeshifting Villain in “Dune: Part Three”
Premiering on December 18, 2026, “Dune: Part Three” sees Pattinson venturing further into villainous territory within a celebrated sci-fi universe. While specific details have yet to be confirmed, initial reports and Pattinson’s own remarks indicate he will play the villain Scytale—a key figure in Frank Herbert’s novel “Dune Messiah,” which supplies the foundation for the adaptation by Denis Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts.
Scytale is a Face Dancer, a genetically engineered shapeshifter capable of assuming the form and personality of anyone. This allows the character to infiltrate, manipulate, and conspire against Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides, who rules as Emperor. The story follows a conspiracy targeting Paul after twelve years on the throne, with Scytale at the heart of the plot. Whether Pattinson alone embodies this shape-changing role or shares it with other actors will depend on Villeneuve’s creative approach, but the expectation is for Pattinson’s performance to anchor the villain’s presence throughout the story.
“Dune: Part Three” rounds out a talented cast including Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides, and Zendaya as Chani. Producers Mary Parent and Jon Spaihts, along with Villeneuve, bring continuity from earlier installments, ensuring the series’ narrative and emotional stakes remain high.
The Impact: A New Chapter for Robert Pattinson and On-Screen Villainy
With both “The Odyssey” and “Dune: Part Three,” audiences are poised to see a dramatically different Robert Pattinson on the big screen. For the first time in his blockbuster career, he will define himself through sweeping villainous roles, emerging as a foil not only to established protagonists like Matt Damon and Timothée Chalamet but also to a new generation of heroes, including Tom Holland and Zendaya. The shift could signal a broader phase in Pattinson’s career, as he crafts memorable antagonists that leave a lasting impression on contemporary cinema.
Both films’ release dates in 2026 highlight how eagerly audiences will anticipate this transformation. As Hollywood’s leading men continue to grow and new protagonists emerge, Robert Pattinson might now become the actor whose presence disrupts their triumphs, reshaping traditional notions of hero and villain in the process.
