Robert Pattinson appears dramatically transformed in a striking new photoshoot, reuniting with his frequent co-star Zendaya for the March edition of Interview magazine. The British actor, known globally for his role as Edward Cullen in the Twilight saga, dons a matted blonde wig and smeared, clumsily applied red lipstick, modelling a silk bodysuit from the esteemed French fashion house Chloé. This gender-blurring imagery serves as a bold promotional prelude to their three eagerly anticipated film projects set for release.
Provocative Imagery and Fashion Statements
Tastefully captured by photographer Nadia Lee Cohen, the shoot presents Pattinson in a series of androgynous and desolate scenes. In one frame, he is slumped against a bare wall in a sparse room, flanked by two oxygen canisters, wearing an androgynous Valentino blouse and slacks. Another image shows him smoking a cigarette, his wig appearing matted and dirty as he gazes intently into the camera lens.
Zendaya complements this aesthetic, modelling unbuttoned Levi's shorts and laddered tights above an Isabel Marant crop-top, standing with slump-shouldered posture against the same nondescript backdrop. The pair later adopt similar floral looks, with Zendaya in a sweeping blue Chloé outfit and Pattinson—whose face is artfully scratched out in the published picture—wearing a dress from Palace Costume.
Reflections on Fame and Identity
Pattinson's rise to household name status through the Twilight franchise brought with it a delirious fandom that often blurred the lines between fiction and reality. He recently reflected on this period, stating, "I really enjoyed making the movies, but then there was such a huge marketing push behind it as well. I didn’t want to get my personal identity caught up in that, so I tried to push forward my individuality a little, and that kind of stuck with me."
He added, "It was also interesting getting famous off of playing a part - people thought I was that character in the beginning. It was quite strange, but it also allowed me to push against it. Also, I wasn’t precious about that identity because it wasn’t my identity to begin with." Now an established star with numerous blockbusters to his credit, Pattinson recently praised Zendaya in an interview with GQ, saying, "She’s great. I really, really like her. And yeah, she’s incredible in The Drama as well and in all of them."
Upcoming Film Collaborations
The photoshoot coincides with preparations for three major film releases featuring both stars. First is the forthcoming comedy The Drama, scheduled for April release, in which they play a soon-to-be-married couple whose big day is potentially undermined by a dark secret. This will be followed by their roles in the highly anticipated science fiction sequel Dune: Part Three, directed by Denis Villeneuve, where Pattinson plays Scytale, a shapeshifting Tleilaxu Face Dancer, and Zendaya reprises her role as Fremen warrior Chani.
The trilogy of collaborations concludes with The Odyssey, director Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's timeless Greek epic. Pattinson shared a fond memory from filming Dune: Part Three, recalling, "You’ll never experience these things in any other profession. I mean, literally, I was experiencing things which hardly anybody in history has or will ever experience and it’s just absolutely incredible." He described driving into the desert with Zendaya while filming at Liwa Oasis near the Persian Gulf, a moment that encapsulated the surreal experience of making the film.
The March edition of Interview magazine, featuring this provocative and visually arresting photoshoot, is available now, offering fans a glimpse into the creative synergy between Pattinson and Zendaya as they embark on their ambitious cinematic ventures.
