Robert Pattinson & Reese Witherspoon Begins Shooting For “Water for Elephants”

By Kim Palacios

Much to the delight of Los Angeles area fans, Robert Pattinson will be nearby for awhile during shooting for “Water for Elephants”. Filming began early today with early fan photos of a short-haired Rob in what appears to be a rail yard, and even a few pictures of other talent including an actual elephant!

The film is based on a New York Times Bestselling novel with the same name by Sara Gruen. Rob plays the main character, Jacob Jankowski, a veterinary student who changes his life in a moment of desperation. Learning of his parents’ financial trouble after they are killed in a car accident, a mourning Jacob drops out of school and jumps a random train one night. Given his compromised mental state, and the depression-era setting, it’s not clear what he presumes to do next. As fate would have it, the train he jumps is a circus train, and he is absorbed by the troupe, by whom he is charged with the care of some of the animals.

I won’t say much more, beyond that a romantic element exists. Jankowski’s love interest, Marlena Rosenbluth, is played by Reese Witherspoon. Though most “Twilight” fans are eager to see Rob, the supporting star power on the film is strong. The Austrian-born actor, Christopher Waltz, won the Academy Award for his supporting actor role as Hans Lander in “Inglorious Basterds”.