'Twilight' Countdown: Exclusive Robert Pattinson photo

29 days left...

In today's gift bag we have this exclusive shot of Robert Pattinson taken earlier this month for an upcoming story about "Twilight" in The Times. Publish date: Nov. 2. Write it down.)

You're welcome.

I now welcome your thoughts on it. The facial hair, I think, is very un-Edward. (Could Bella's marble prince even grow facial hair? It seems unlikely). But do we like it just the same? Does it make Robert sexier? More smoldering?

Or just too Wolverine?

Perhaps he's sporting the new look in the name of Spunk Ransom's next Whiskey A Go-Go gig.

Leave your theories and thoughts below. We'll duke it out.

Also, I forgot to mention in Tuesday's launch post that the Countdown updates will be posted every day at 2 pm.

"Twilight" at 2.

Even on the weekends.

-- Denise Martin

Related:

All "Twilight" stories on Entertainment News & Buzz
Robert Patinson on his "Twilight" songs: Music is my backup plan if acting fails
All "Twilight" stories on Hero Complex

Photo: Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[YourEyesForeverGluedToMine]

Still handsome. (:

[K]

For the love of all that is holly... There is nothing he can do to hide his hotness. Facial hair only makes him look even better. Awesome! Thank you!
But you should fix something in the article. His band is not named Spunk Ransom. You should look that up ;)

[helen]

I love the photo but still hate the facial hair. He has such a wonderful bone structure its criminal to hide it. I wish he'd wash his hair. It looks so greasy. Come on Rob make an effort once in a while. Its like he's trying to hide. He doesnt grow a good beard so it needs to go. I'm tired of hobo Rob I want smart sophisticated Rob for two minutes.

[hol]

Rob would be sexy with a paper bag on his head but I'd rather the beard went. I loved his look at the Sex Drive premiere. The chiselled jaw was fantastic. Still the times shot is very intense and sexy. By the way you are so wrong about the spunk ransom thing. Thats just a fan nickname no more than that.

[erica]

I'd love to see Rob in a slick photoshoot with designer clothes. Just for a change

[Denise]

Hey K, You're absolutely correct. That part about "his band" was added in by mistake. I'm aware that Spunk Ransom is Rob's musician moniker. It's been corrected.

[sarah]

If I'm not mistaken he's wearing that horrible old top with the stains down it we see in so many shots. For the love of god Rob change your clothes once in a while. Its a wonder they dont walk around by themselves. He's so beautiful but keeps trying to hide it. Most men would die for his looks. I hope the article in the times covers Little Ashes.

[Leah]

Well, the beard seems to age him a bit. He still is very attractive. His eyes have a sad and tired expression to them in this photo. I hope Hollywood isn't getting to him too much. He is so intriguing though.

[blearyeyedmesgirl]

I love the facial hair...I love how un-Edward it is. It's just Rob.

I hope he always dresses how he wants, shaves when he wants, goes out when he wants, has a drink when he wants......it would be such a shame if Hollywood were to 'change him.' I hear supposed 'fans' who diss this and that about him, yet claim to support him. Ya can't pick and choose with support...'selective support' - Ha! Doesn't work that way. You like someone and appreciate them for who they are, not for who you think they should be.

Tangent much? I apologize. I support Rob, the person - the actor.

[Wendy]

Cant the LA Times do a fashion shoto with him. Give him the opportunity to get tidied up and given some clothes. The guy needs new clothes badly. He'd make a gorgeous Wolverine like that but I'd still plump for clean shaven and shorter hair. As everyone says his jawline is incredible and I like to look at it. he does look intense in that shot but also warm and cuddly if thats possible.

[Ruth]

I find him a fascinating actor. He excites me more than any other actor in Hollywood. There's a lot of hiddden depths to him. I think his career is going to be like peeling an onion. Well learn more and more as each layer comes off. I'm in awe of his versatility. You cant get much more differerent than Art in How to Be- Salvador Dali in Little Ashes - and Edward Cullen in Twilight

[Silver]

Wow. He's gorgeous. That has got to me my favorite Rob pic ever. It's very intense, very diffrent. Thank you!

[Tania]

I think the look is done on purpose to look as un Edward like as possible. To show the world he isnt the character. Its his little stand. Its ok but I rather cleanshaven and shorter WASHED hair.

[Elyblumenkron]

Wow look at those eyes, those lashes, those LIPS! =D
He is BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Luv ya Rob!

[Shel]

The beard makes him look like he's preparing for Fiddler on the Roof or Jesus Christ Superstar!. It adds at least 10 years to him. I like the photo but not the greasy hair and greying beard. He's 22 for pete's sake - and needs to try and look it.

[LK]

Shots of the other cast members plz... Like idk... KRISTEN STEWART. Rob looks ok though. Sup Wolfman.

[andrea]

He looks like a 60's throwback

[deb]

i don't understand why everyone doesn't like him unshaven... it's still Rob underneath that hair... I think everyone has this Edward-complex, that requires Rob to be shaven 24/7. he's a guy, let him be a guy... To me that picture above is gorgeous because it's his eyes and that stare that he has going on... smoldering is i think the word for it...

[Sue]

I can see why he wants to get away from Edward's distinctive look but thats too far in the other direction.

[Nadine]

OMG...that picture is AMAZING. there is nothing that could make that man look bad. Nothing. He is just breathtakingly beautiful. :)

[Leah]

There is absolutely nothing that man could do that would make him look unattractive. I love him without the facial hair, but it's actually kinda hot. All scruffy and careless. He is gorgeous.

[Lydia]

GAH! This is my new fave pic of him! I love him with that beard!!

[Britney]

He's not a damn poser. Rob is Rob, that's the appeal. He's not trying to fit in and please the 12 year olds. He's going to be and look how he wants. If you don't get that, your obviously not a Rob fan but rather a Edward Cullen fan. He's not EDWARD off screen. Get it through your tiny heads.

[Rita]

Drop dead gorgeous! Amazing, a very soulful pic. Thank you LATimes.

[Calila]

breath-taker ... nothing else to say..
wow...