The reviews for sci-fi thriller "I Am Number Four" have been rolling in, and if there's one comparison critics keep making, it's to that other YA adaptation "Twilight." It's an easy association, to be sure, as both films feature a comely supernatural hero besotted by a pretty, young earthling. It's a little too simplistic if you ask me, but if we extend the metaphor, does that make star Alex Pettyfer the new Robert Pattinson?
Frankly, the similarities between the two actors are rather stunning. Shall I run down the list? British? Yep. Handsome. Um, yeah. Leading man debut in a YA adaptation? Check. Dating (or rumored to be dating) his leading lady? For sure. In fact, Alex has even fielded the Robert-connection question, telling Times of India, "All I can say is, he is a good looking guy!" You aren't wrong, Alex.
Much like Robert, who's secured plenty of non-"Twilight" projects including the upcoming "Water for Elephants," "Bel Ami" and "Cosmopolis," Alex's dance card is quickly filling up, even before his first major film hit theaters. In addition to this year's "Beastly" and "Now," the 20-year-old is in talks for two additional YA adaptations: "The Mortal Instruments" and "Seventh Son." Yet, while Robert has pursued more mature roles such as "Bel Ami"'s Georges Duroy, Alex seems firmly planted in the YA genre. (Robert does have four years on Alex, though, so there's always room for growth.)
As it turns out, we aren't the only ones to notice the similarities. Jeff Bock, box-office analyst for Exhibitor Relations, agreed that Alex could be The Next Big Thing—granted his upcoming flicks perform well. "If 'I Am Number Four' takes the box office crown and becomes a big hit, as expected, the name Alex Pettyfer may soon be synonymous with Robert Pattinson," Jeff said. "Often, one major box-office success is all you need to blast your career into the stratosphere, but Pettyfer already has a backup with this spring's teen romance, 'Beastly.' With two films aimed squarely at the center of pop culture...don't be surprised if superstardom awaits the young Brit."
David Poland of Movie City News agreed that Alex could grab audiences' attention, though whether that translates to career success remains to be seen. In fact, he added that even Robert has yet to truly prove himself at the box office. "I can say that being 'The Next Robert Pattinson' is to be a media obsession, but not necessarily a box office star of any weight," he said. "Pattinson is still completely unproven as box office talent. 'Twilight' really has nothing to do with his stardom or quality filmmaking. And what appeal both men have is to girls, not general audiences.
"It's hard out there for a pretty boy. And we won't really know from this film whether he is both an actor and a pretty boy," David added.
MTV's Movies Blog also wondered if aliens are the new vampires. Check out what they had to say!
What do you think, Crushers? Could Alex Pettyfer be the next Robert Pattinson? Tell us in the comments and on Twitter!
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