'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...

[Robin]

There are no words. I don't usually like facial hair, but I absolutely love this picture. swoon.

[becca]

i personally hate any kind of facial hair.
he's still hott, of course...but it makes him look older and less-polished.
i love that about rob; he always seems so flawless.
he can pull it off....but i like him better without it.
he's more edward without it.
this looks more werewolf...

[Kim]

I LOVE the scruff!
But... I agree that hiding his beautiful face is a crime.
The SexDrive premiere (and the Austin pictures) = perfection.
I love you Rob! =D

[Ida]

Well, it's not Edward, but it's still Rob-- and I absolutely adore everything about him.
He looks just as hot with the facial hair as he does without it. At first, sure it was a shocker, but really, I think I actually prefer him with the facial hair now. It helps set him apart from those pretty boy poser types [Efron, Crawford, ew] which he definitely isn't. He's naturally gorgeous and he doesn't have to spend hours of time in front of the mirror. I think he just rolls out of bed. And that just makes him that much more attractive.

[Lissa]

I think Rob sometimes goes out of his way to avoid the 'pretty boy' label - he wants to be taken seriously.
Having said that - it isn't working Rob - that photo is gorgeous. Nothing can hide this man's appeal.

[ThaliaIIVV]

People, shut up about his clothing please! Robert could wear a potato sack and still look great. And as long as he he's changing the boxer shorts every day, who cares?

[Eileen]

Funny. haha ;)

but still excited for the movie. :D i love twilight series.

lol but i like jacob more than edward. :PP

[BS]

Amazing photo...such a soulful image.

I really feel for poor Rob....he's probably going run off to Siberia to escape all the fan girls once the Twilight promotion is finished. I wouldn't blame him either.

I hope all this silly attention over his facial hair (or anything else he does in his personal time) doesn't dissuade him to not do the other Twilight movies. I think he'll be fab.

Who cares if Rob has a beard, he can rock any look he wants - it's his life. So let the poor man be!

[BB]

For the Love of all that is Holy, can that Man get any Hotter!!!! For real, this just isnt fair...
NICE, picture - And THANKS for sharing...

[Ashley]

The article doesn't say that his band's name is Spunk Ransom. They meant something along the lines of "the persona spunk ransom looks like this more than chisled-jaw rob"

[Angie]

don't get me wrong I loveee the picture. But the facial hair...not so much.

[Vi]

Just when you think he can't get any hotter...the man never ceases to amaze me!! How can one man be so perfect???!?!

[dj]

He isn't that great looking, to me, except in this shot. The beard gives needed balance to his pixie little chin. I love those blond streaks- not grey! But of course, I'm 44- what do I knowabout good looks after a lifetime of looking at men?

[Cathy]

Personally I think it is a great picture of Robert. It just seems like he looks a little sad in the picture. I hope that all the Twilight hype is not starting to getting to him. I would hate for Robert to start pulling away from the fans especially since he has been so generous with his time with everyone. If the worst thing he is doing is growing a beard and dressing and acting like a typical 22 year old then we have nothing to worry about. Robert, just be true to yourself. Your real fans will love you no matter how you look.

[Michelle]

HOLY ****!!! He's so hot. SO HOT. Omg.

I'm totally down with the scruff.

I'll take that beard ride.

XP

[Kasey]

For all that is holy! Seriously? I don't think Rob will ever find a way to disguise his beauty. His hair is even more amazing than usual, and his eyes...oh, man, his eyes..
I love his facial expression, even if it does look like he's sad.
Need you people even ask?
Rob is perfect!

[Di]

He is so gorgeous! with or without the facial hair! he DAZZLES! truely

[Steph]

Yay! Does this mean we're getting a Rob interview soon?? That makes me one happy girl. He's not only beautiful and crazy talented, but he's modest and generous. He's going to be around for a very long time. Robert has all the right qualities. He's not just a pretty face.

Thank you 4 the pic! Made my day.

[Annie]

I love the beard! It looks great on him. There isn't anything that looks bad on him. Rob just always has to stay true to himself. If it's what he likes or if maybe he just wants to be a little lazy. Looks great all the same to me.

[k]

Wow. I love it! He looks good with anything. He pulls this off, and he also looks amazing showing off his gorgeous jaw.

[Nahrain]

He's hot no matter what, I don't think people should hate on him for his hair or his beard because its not edward-like, like come on its just a character hes playing lol.

[Monica]

He's always beautiful. His eyes look pensive and sad. I want to hug him! Thank you for the picture. We all greatly appreciate it. Hope you have many more to share with us.

[Nande0nande]

I think this look looks very hot, this looks better than Edward. Very rugged, i love it.

[Marie]

Facial Hair = Hot. Effing hot. I'd hit it.

[nicci]

wow. i mean seriously WOW. Rob just cant take a bad picture. i mean OMIGOD he is soo gorgeous! whiskers or not he still causes me to go into a state of extreme hyperventilation. =D