Twilight star Robert Pattinson's has been spotted sporting vicious-looking cuts and a broken nose during a photo shoot for his new movie.

The heartthrob stars in Water For Elephants alongside Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon, playing a veterinary student who runs a circus.

Despite their 10 year age gap, Pattinson and Witherspoon play lovers in the film, The Daily Mail reports.

This is not their first time sharing the big screen together, with the now 24 year-old playing the Legally Blonde star's son in Vanity Fair in 2004.

Recalling working with the British actor, Witherspoon said: "I remember he was verrrrry [sic] handsome! I was like, 'I have a really handsome son!'"

"I had to sob and cry all over him, but he was great."