The actor has joined Willem Dafoe in “The Witch” director Robert Eggers‘ new film “The Lighthouse.” Of course, “The Witch” was that Olde Tyme horror sensation that chalked up a remarkable $40 million worldwide — not bad for atmospheric horror flick with zero major stars. Plot details on this new movie are being kept in the dark, but the story is set in the early 20th century in Nova Scotia, and revolves around an aging lighthouse keeper (Dafoe). I’ll hazard a guess the dude has seem some gnarly things in his time.

Filming will get underway this spring, and it’s safe bet “The Lighthouse” will hit more than a few prominent festivals in 2019. As for what became of Eggers’ remake of “Nosferatu,” I presume that’s on the backburner for now.

which is funny they mentioned Nosferatu because according to The Tracking Board:

RT Features and A24 are behind the project, which will head into production this spring. Robert Eggers co-wrote the script with Max Eggers, and all we know right now is that the film will be set in the world of old sea-faring myths.

RT Features’ Rodrigo Teixeira and Lourenço Sant’ Anna developed the project with Robert Eggers and will produce alongside Parts & Labor’s Jay Van Hoy as well as Youree Henley. A24 has acquired worldwide rights and will distribute the film in the U.S., while New Regency (The Revenant) has joined the project as a co-financier.

“I am extremely happy to be working with RT, A24, and Parts & Labor again. Along with New Regency, they are providing me and my collaborators with the support and freedom to make this film the way it needs to be made. It’s a privilege,” said Robert Eggers.

“Pattinson is one of the most talented actors working today. We are excited to work with him and Eggers, a singular filmmaker whose unique vision we support,” added Teixeira.

“We are beyond excited to be partnering again with Rob Eggers, a true visionary and one of the great filmmakers of his generation. This new script blew us away — it creates a totally unique and ambitious universe and manages to somehow feel scary, suspenseful, wondrous, and beautiful all at the same time,” A24 said in a statement.

Pattinson and Eggers nearly worked together once before, as I heard that the director wanted to cast him alongside Anya Taylor-Joy in his Nosferatu remake, but that Pattinson didn’t think the part was big enough for him. I’m glad the duo were able to find a project to work on together, as they strike me as a strong fit on paper.”

I’m going to agree with Vertigo in that the meaning behind “didn’t think the part was big enough for him” means Rob didn’t think the role was challenging enough for him to sink his teeth into.

From Empire:

Eggers has written the script with Max Eggers, but has so far not revealed much about the story, beyond the fact that Dafoe is playing Old, an aging lighthouse keeper. The film is set at the dawn of the 20th century and will be a fantasy horror inspired by sea-faring myths and focused on the solitary watchmen in Maine. There’s no word yet on whether Pattinson will be a fellow light-wrangler or something supernatural – or both!

The cameras for this one should be rolling in the spring, and has no release date locked in yet.

From Deadline:

Robert Pattinson, coming off Good Time, joins the project in a lead role alongside Willem Dafoe.

Said Robert Eggers: “I am extremely happy to be working with RT, A24, and Parts & Labor again. Along with New Regency, they are providing me and my collaborators with the support and freedom to make this film the way it needs to be made. It’s a privilege.”

RT Features’ Teixeira called Pattinson “one of the most talented actors working today. We are excited to work with him and Eggers, a singular filmmaker whose unique vision we support. Our collaboration on The Witch was flawless, and we look forward to reuniting along with our partners at A24, Parts & Labor and New Regency.”

In a statement, A24 described the distributor as “beyond excited to be partnering again with Rob Eggers, a true visionary and one of the great filmmakers of his generation. This new script blew us away — it creates a totally unique and ambitious universe and manages to somehow feel scary, suspenseful, wondrous and beautiful all at the same time. We can’t wait to work with Rob and his team and our partners at RT Features, Parts & Labor and New Regency to help bring this story to life.”

Said Parts & Labor’s  Jay Van Hoy: “I love that we’re getting the band back together again, this time with old friend and new star player Youree Henley. Like The Witch, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Note that Screen Daily had a similar article as Deadline.

From Den of Geek:

Eggers has cemented his relationship with indie studio A24 with the upcoming “seafaring” horror, The Lighthouse. And the film has now lured Robert Pattinson to live deliciously on its shores. As relayed via Deadline, Pattinson has signed on to star alongside the previously cast Willem Dafoe in the film. Pattinson comes to the project fresh off of making last year’s crime drama Good Time, as well as one of favorite films of 2017, the vastly underrated colonial explorer drama, The Lost City of Z. Still best known for his work as the sparkling vampire (and onetime teenage heartthrob) in The Twilight Saga, Pattinson has transitioned into intriguing indie work in recent years, including Australian thriller The Rover and a double collaboration with David Cronenberg on Cosmopolis and Maps to the Stars.

While it is unclear who Pattinson will be playing, it seems likely he’ll be in a supporting role to Dafoe, who having just earned his third Oscar nomination for The Florida Project signed on to play the role of “Old,” an aging lighthouse keeper living upon the stormy coast of Maine. Is it thus fair to assume that Pattinson’s character shall be named “Young?”

From Gossip Cop:

No other casting has been announced for Pattinson and Dafoe’s upcoming joint project so far, but production is expected to take place this spring. Eggers, who made his directorial debut in 2015 with the surprise horror hit The Witch, is a two-time Independent Spirit Awards winner. He also received an honor at the Sundance Film Festival. Much like he penned the script for The Witch, he also wrote the screenplay for The Lighthouse.

From IndieWire:

Robert Pattinson would like to live deliciously. To prove it, he’s starring alongside Willem Dafoe in “The Witch” writer/director Robert Eggers’ sophomore feature “The Lighthouse,” described as “a fantasy horror story set in the world of old sea-faring myths.” A24 will distribute the film, as it did “The Witch,” in partnership with RT Features.

…

Pattinson has been a staple of the festival circuit since the “Twilight” franchise ended, most recently working with Claire Denis on her upcoming “High Life,” the Zellner Brothers on “Damsel,” and the Safdie Brothers on “Good Time.”

From PunchDrunkCritics:

Having left behind the fame that marked the early part of his career, Robert Pattinson still finds himself the biggest name attached to the indie projects he’s been gravitating to. It was largely because of him that Good Time made the paltry $2M it did, while The Lost City of Z saw the benefits of his name, as well. Of course, it helped that he was great in both. Now as Pattinson joins the latest film from The Witch director Robert Eggers, he’ll be sharing top billing with current Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe, which is pretty good company.

Pattinson has joined Dafoe in The Lighthouse, which is set in early 20th century Nova Scotia and centers on an aging lighthouse keeper. Dafoe will clearly take that role while Pattinson’s is being kept under wraps. Can I hazard a guess that Pattinson plays the younger version of Dafoe, who undoubtedly has some ill secrets in his past?

Shooting begins this spring, and I hope to see The Lighthouse ready in time for Sundance next year.

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