Robert Pattinson’s Salary for Batman 2 Is Still Not Enough When You Look at What He Has Done for the Franchise

Robert Pattinson, the brooding Bat of our times, is back. He’s about to make serious money for his second time donning the cape and cowl! The news is out, and Pattinson is reportedly getting a massive paycheck for the sequel.

The hint is: it’s a huge raise compared to the $3 million he got for the first movie. But what’s the story behind this salary bump? Sure, Pattinson’s Batman wasn’t the typical action hero we’re used to. It was dark, moody, and yes, a little emo—but it worked.

And with over $770 million in global earnings from The Batman, it’s clear his take on Bruce Wayne hit the mark. So, what does this pay boost say about what he’s done for the franchise—and does it really reflect his impact? Let’s break it down and see if that million-dollar paycheck is something he truly deserved.

What is Robert Pattinson’s Salary for Batman 2?

According to Stealth Optional, Robert Pattinson is set to earn $20 million for The Batman 2. To put it simply, that’s a huge pay jump from the $3 million (per Parade) he made for the first film. This 400%+ increase isn’t just because of inflation or a random decision.

The Batman was a hit. It earned more than $772 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo), and people loved Pattinson’s darker, more serious take on Batman. It’s safe to say the Bat is flying high.

What Robert Pattinson Has Done for the Batman Franchise

Let’s be honest—when Pattinson was first announced as the new Batman, some people weren’t happy with the decision. But fast forward to 2022, and The Batman totally flipped the script on what we thought we knew about Gotham.

Pattinson brought a gritty, emo Batman to life, a Caped Crusader who wasn’t afraid to show his flaws. And guess what? People loved it. Not only did The Batman make over $770 million worldwide, but it also got major love from critics.

Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 85% rating, and critics praised Pattinson for his dark, nuanced performance. Charlotte O’Sullivan, Top Critic for the London Evening Standard, wrote:

W hat’s wacky, woke and cast like an indie movie? Answer: this Batman reboot.

Joe Morgenstern, film critic for the Wall Street Journal, wrote:

[The Batman] is very long, relentlessly intense, murmured more often than spoken, and photographed, by Greig Fraser, with a glowering gorgeousness that must be seen to be felt. It’s also enthralling and tailored to our time.

David Simps, writer for The Atlantic, wrote:

This interpretation is po-faced to the extreme, but Reeves’s commitment to the material and Pattinson’s preternatural grumpiness in the role make The Batman sing — though the ballad is undeniably emo.

The movie also caught the attention of a new generation of fans who were looking for something different from the typical superhero flick. Instead of the flashy, one-liner Batman from the Justice League films, we got a slow-burn detective story, and it was so good.

But wait—there’s more! It wasn’t just about the movie. The Batman got so much traction that Warner Bros. decided to expand the universe. We got The Penguin spinoff starring Colin Farrell, which has been well-received by critics and fans alike.

So, yeah, Pattinson’s influence has gone beyond the box office. He’s helped redefine the Batman universe, making it cool again. And that’s why he’s getting a fat paycheck for round two. If it weren’t for him, would the success of this universe even be possible?

Other Batman Actors’ Salaries

Pattinson might be making a lot of money now, but how does his salary compare to other actors who’ve played Batman? Well, let’s take a look. First, we’ve got Christian Bale, probably the most iconic Batman of the 21st century.

As reported by Parade, Bale started out earning $9 million for his first film, but by the second film, he got a raise and earned $10 million, plus a $20 million performance bonus. By the end of the trilogy, Chris was paid a cool $15 million.

So yeah, Bale earned a lot more than Pattinson, but Bale also had the Dark Knight trilogy, which was a game-changer in the world of superhero movies.

Next up, Ben Affleck. Affleck’s Batman may not have had his own solo films, but he still earned between $10 million and $20 million (via Style Caster) for his appearances in the Justice League films and Batman v Superman. Again, not a bad salary, but he wasn’t around as long as Bale or Pattinson.

Before all of these Batmen, though, we had the likes of George Clooney and Michael Keaton. Cinema Blend reported that the star made around $1 million for playing Batman in Batman & Robin.

Keaton earned $5 million for the original Batman in 1989 (per Parade). But in the end, it’s clear that Pattinson is sitting pretty with that sweet $20 million check, though Bale’s million-dollar salary might still be the gold standard.

Batman 2 is set to release on October 2, 2026!