Robert Pattinson returns to spotlight: Will he talk about Kristen Stewart?

(CBS/AP) Robert Pattinson will hit the spotlight this week for the first time since the world learned his longtime gal pal, Kristen Stewart, cheated on him with director Rupert Sanders.

Pattinson isn't necessarily slated to talk about the cheating scandal. Instead, he's making the rounds to promote his new film, "Cosmopolis," which premieres tonight  in New York  and opens Friday in limited release.

First up is an appearance on "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart" on Comedy Central. The episode tapes today and will air tonight at 11 p.m. ET. He'll then visit ABC's "Good Morning America" on Wednesday.

A TV insider told the Huffington Post, "It has been made clear to producers at 'The Daily Show' and 'Good Morning America,' where Rob will appear Wednesday, that the interview is to promote his new movie 'Cosmopolis.'"

The 26-year-old actor has been out of sight since learning last month that his girlfriend and "Twilight" co-star Stewart had an affair with Sanders, who is married with two children. A tabloid printed photos of the illicit dalliance, breaking the hearts of "Twilight" fans worldwide and prompting Stewart and the director to issue public apologies to their loved ones.

But Pattinson can't lay low forever -- he has a film to promote. It's a gentle, if obligatory, re-entry into the media machine leading up to Friday's opening of "Cosmopolis," the David Cronenberg drama starring the "Twilight" heartthrob.

Work obligations often force celebrities out of hiding after challenging personal situations, but choosing how and where to make a comeback is often a carefully calculated move.

"There's no one show that's the right answer for everyone," said veteran publicist Howard Bragman, now vice chairman of Reputation.com. "The right answer is the one where you think you're going to get the most respect, the fairest hearing and the best presentation -- and potentially where you've had the best relationships in the past."

Bragman said, "the real secret is being prepared."

"Every actor has the right to talk about what he wants to talk about and not talk about something he doesn't want to talk about... You have to handle (such questions) with dignity and class and respect for the journalist doing their job," he said, adding, "Don't expect Robert on 'The Daily Show' or 'Good Morning America' to bare his soul."