Article by Alexandra Gambardella
“Harry Potter” did it for wizards, “Lord of the Rings” won big for hobbits, and “Narnia” brought it home for the talking woodland creatures. But can a soon-to-shoot movie similarly turn the creaky film cliché of vampires into the next multimillion-dollar fantasy flick franchise?
“The movie is called ‘Twilight,’” 17-year-old “Into the Wild” actress Kristen Stewart beamed when we recently spoke to her. “['Lords of Dogtown' filmmaker] Catherine Hardwicke is directing it in Washington. It’s based on a book that’s pretty popular [among] young adult, high school kids.”
Although Stewart and co-star Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory!) will soon film only the first movie, they’re already talking about turning the vampire storyline into a series that really sucks. And since the latest book sold over 150,000 copies in its first day alone, Bella and Edward fans everywhere are already counting down the months until the film’s release.
“People really love these books,” said Stewart. “Right now it’s a trilogy, and a fourth book is coming out, so hopefully we’ll get to shoot all four.”
For those who haven’t yet been bitten, “Twilight” will feature Stewart as Bella Swan, a teenage girl whose life gets turned upside-down after she meets and falls in love with a vampire. Additional names will be cast in the next few weeks, but according to the actress, 21-year-old Pattinson is already sinking his teeth into the role of Edward.
“He’s so good and he’s so soulful and he’s just not a liar — you can feel pain from him,” Stewart cooed. “The cool thing about the story is that it’s a seemingly wonderful fantasy — let’s fall in love with vampires and live forever — but it’s so much harder than that. Imagine living forever. Living one life is hard enough.”
But don’t get fooled into thinking this is going to be “The Notebook” for the undead. “The main character is like, superhuman,” Stewart said of the action scenes in the script. “He’s a vampire, but with really [heightened powers]; he can run faster than a car can drive, and he’s super strong. He throws me over his back [in one scene], right before he’s going to tell me that he’s a vampire, and then he runs over the treetops. And we’re going to be in real treetops; we’re not just going to CGI it. We actually get to go up there, and that’s what I’m stoked on.”
“It’s a pretty triumphant love story,” Stewart concluded, looking forward to stepping in front of the cameras. “It’s gonna take a while, and it [deserves to be] at least a series of three.”
UPDATE (2.28.08): ‘Twilight’ Co-Star Rachelle Lefevre Talks Treetop Controversy!
I'm really hoping this doesn't turn into another Ella Enchanted, the only thing that book and movie had in common was a few (not even all) of the main character's names and the main character being under a curse.
Kristin looks a lot like Bella in that picture though. So here's to hoping that Edward looks like Edward. (Because if he doesn't I'll probably just wait and rent the DVD).
I can't wait for the previews, I think they'll decide my stance on the movie.
The only problem is that I have this book memorized, so it's probably going to be like "Hey! They didn't say that on page 211! They said this!" and "That is Not what Bella wore to her first day of school." You know that type of thing. I know, I know. It's pretty bad. But I'm giving them a chance. As long as it's really close to the book (no she doesn't have to be wearing the same outfit...except for maybe in the meadow...just kidding) then I think I'll be alright. *takes a deep breath* Wow. That was long. = )
THIS IS NOT F@C#ING HAPPENING!!
they better not mess up on carlisle and jasper and emmet oh hell no!
i cried when i found out who edward was gonna be so did my friend
robert p. suck shi#*^
if she's planing in living, rising her career, pay the bills etc whit this movie she should at least do a research.
I think its desrespectfull with the fans, doing a research for your character is the basic for a role
I heard that the Port Angeles scene is getting cut. Is that true? They really can't do that. It was a pretty pivotal point in the book. Wasn't it? Or am I the only one who thinks so?
As for Bella...well I think the actress they have will be fine. I would have preferred Emily Browning or Danielle Panabaker. They just seem like they would be great Bella's.
Gosh, and what about Jacob Black? Well, we know that they cannot for ANY reason cut him out. He is an absolutley important character to the entire series. Hopefully they pick someone who can pull it off... and is...err... attractive. (Haha)
Well, here's to hoping they don't muck everything up, like many, many, many, many have.
Remember the good ol' days, when books stayed books and movies were a whole different ballpark...
Running on treetops? That's the stupidst idea I've ever heard!
And Kristen should really read the books. It seems like she has never even read the first chapter!
I love the books. But I have a bad feeling about the movie.
Robert P. is too old for Edward! Edward should look "boyish"! R.P. isn't even close to that!
ARGHHHH ARRGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
as for the people playing edward and bella i don't really have a problem with it. and how can you expect anyone to look like edward. first of all there is no one as perfect looking as he is supposed to. secondly edward looks different to every one so not matter who was cast for his part not every one can or could be pleased.
xD
Argh? Geez.. someone needs a midol. lmao nah, just teasing you crazy people like me. simply more expressive in text i guess.
x)
When I read that there will be a scene when Edward throws Bella over his shoulder and "runs over the treetops"(?), that disappointed me. Why ADD scenes that don't even exist in the book.
I don't care what anyone else says because I think that Robert Pattinson will play a great Edward. He is exactly how I would picture Edward anyway. But I'm not as excited about Kristen Stewert. She is a great actor and I love her movies, but I don't think that she can pull off Bella's character.
dont get me wrong... im as excited for the movie as much as the next twilight fangirl, but lets get real.
still, i wonder what changes there will be... hopefully it wont be bad enough for ur to throw popcorn at the screen! ^_^
uhm wtf....
thats NOT how it happens in the books....
=( i hope it dusnt kill the books i really hope it dusnt
does she know what she's talking about...
so people chill
its just a movie
and if you don't like it...
then don't buy it when it comes out on dvd
it isn't going to make the books less amazing if the movie sucks
and rumors will be rumors...
hopefully the movie is true to the book
so stop being so obsessive and mean because you aren't the ones in the movie