Robert Pattinson's looks were called into question by studio executives ahead of his casting in the Twilight film franchise.
The English actor was cast in the star-making role of vampire Edward Cullen in the films based on the books by Stephanie Meyers.
But the studio was not sure if he was good-looking enough to be cast, according to director Catherine Hardwicke, who revealed a conversation she had with studio executives after they met Pattinson in person.
"They call me back and go, 'do you think you can make this guy look good?'" she said on Josh Horowitz's podcast,Happy Sad Confused.
The director revealed Pattinson had turned to the meeting in a stained shirt, which was "so funny," but she promised the studio bosses that they would give the actor a makeover and would start working out.
"He's going to be gorgeous," she tried to assure the executives. "But they didn't believe it at first."
Hardwicke also opened up on how Pattinson felt he was not good-looking enough for the role in Twilight.
"He's a very modest and humble person and self-deprecating in a way," she explained.
"So he was nervous about, you know, 'am I living up to the book? Am I gorgeous enough for the book?'"
Hardwick added: "I tried to give him a lot of love and encouragement. And we did, of course, do a makeover on him too. I mean, the hairstyle, the eyebrows, even the teeth. He started working out with a trainer, he put a lot of effort in."
Pattinson, 37, previously starred in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as Cedric Diggory before rising to fame in 2008 in the first Twilight film.
He has since starred as the Caped Crusader in the 2022 film The Batman.
Last year, director David Cronenberg sent Twilight fans into a frenzy when he suggested the potential of Pattinson reuniting with his co-star and ex-girlfriend, Kristen Stewart, on a new film project.
"It was Robert who actually introduced me to Kristen. They have developed beautifully, separately, as actors," Cronenberg said in an interview with World of Reel.
"Making arthouse movies and successfully carrying that off. Kristen and I had a great time and Rob and I had a great time. For me, yeah, I can definitely think of a movie, or idea, that would be great to have them both together," adding that at the stage it was still an idea.
It was revealed this week that Pattinson is expecting his first child with partner, Suki Waterhouse.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Shannon Power is a Greek-Australian reporter, but now calls London home. They have worked as across three continents in print, ... Read more
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