PremiumTwilight turns 15: The film that made Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart global stars
Recalling the success of Twilight on the occasion of its completing 15 years, director Catherine Hardwicke shares her fondest memories, and most challenging days while filming
A still of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart from Twilight
Last Updated: 02.24 AM, Nov 22, 2023
Twilight is one of the most loved fantasy dramas of all time, which has five parts – Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part One, and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part Two. The first part was released in 2008, and it clocked 15 years on November 21, 2023.
About the Twilight novel
The film is based on the Twilight novel, written by Stephanie Meyer. The novel has four parts, which was published from 2005 to 2008. In the captivating tale, Kristen Stewart portrays Bella Swan, an ordinary teenage girl, while Robert Pattinson embodies the enigmatic Edward Cullen, a vampire with an alluring secret. Their paths intertwine in the quaint town of Forks, Washington, where Bella's life takes an extraordinary turn as she delves into the world of the supernatural alongside Edward. Their relationship blossoms amidst a backdrop of danger, as Edward and his family strive to protect Bella from a vengeful coven of vampires.
Catherine remembers the film and the shooting
Did you know after receiving the first draft of Twilight, director Catherine Hardwicke immediately recognized a significant disconnect from the source material. The script portrayed Bella as an athletic prodigy, culminating in a jet ski chase with the FBI. "It had veered far off course," Hardwicke recalled in an interview with THR. "I thought, 'No, no, no, this isn't the essence of the book. It's about this extraordinary, forbidden love and this yearning’.”
Catherine shared that she tried her level best to portray author Stephanie’s vision in the film, and unexpectedly it clicked. Fifteen years ago, on November 21, 2008, Twilight became a blockbuster, amassing a staggering $408.4 million collection worldwide and catapulting Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson into global stardom.
Ashley Greene's audition for Bella Swan
Did you know before Kristen, Ashley Greene gave an audition for the Bella Swan role? However, Hardwicke recognized her potential for the character of Alice Cullen, Edward's adopted sister. While recalling, the director said that Greene was captivated by the Twilight book series and was eager to be involved in the film's production. While she initially desired the role of Bella, she embraced the opportunity to portray Alice.
Why Twilight film series is still loved by the majority?
According to Catherine, Twilight is still immensely loved by fans because, ”Everybody wants to have that first love. That’s just undeniable. That’s just a head rush that makes you feel ecstatic. A love that’s like a drug. And that’s what I was really trying to create in the movie.”