Early ‘Twilight’ stars: Some go downhill, some succeed
Twilight (2008) is adapted from the novel of the same name by Stephenie Meyer, telling the love story of schoolgirl Bella (Kristen Stewart) and vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson). The work became a box office phenomenon with a revenue of 393 million USD (budget was only 37 million USD), paving the way for four sequels.
The success of the film made the main actors stars, but also put pressure on them because they were always in the spotlight of public opinion. After ten years, the actors of Twilight followed many different paths, some embarking on independent films, others going downhill when the series ended.
Kristen Stewart
The role of Bella is a turning point in the career of the actress born in 1990 – a former child star of Disney channel. When Kristen was filming Adventureland, Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke came to the studio to cast and then chose her. The actress was praised for her suitable appearance but was criticized for her stiff acting. However, during the time the Twilight series was still running, Kristen was one of the most famous stars in the world, often in the top 10 most popular actors on IMDb. In 2012, according to Forbes, she was the highest paid actress in the world with 34.5 million USD, including 12.5 million USD for the final episode of Twilight.
The same year, the beauty got into a scandal when she was photographed having a love scene with Rupert Sanders – director of the movie Snow White and the Huntsman in which she starred. The filmmaker is 19 years older than Kristen and is married, and she was dating Robert Pattinson at the time. On CBC News, Rupert Sanders and Kristen Stewart apologized to fans.
In 2017, in Elle, Kristen Stewart expressed her gratitude for joining a blockbuster franchise like Twilight. “Every part I’ve ever played has transformed me in a big way,” she said. At the age of 28, the actress has had a stable career and is viewed more positively by experts. She is currently dating Stella Maxwell – a female model of the Victoria’s Secret brand.
Robert Pattinson
Before playing Twilight, the actor born in 1986 attracted attention with the role of Cedric in the fourth Harry Potter part. According to TV Guide, at first Robert was afraid he would not meet readers’ expectations of the character Edward Cullen. However, when the film was released, he was praised by many critics – including famous writer Roger Ebert – for his role. Like Kristen Stewart, he is globally famous for his roles and has a sky-high income. In 2009, he was voted the most handsome man in the world by Vanity Fair.
After the Twilight series, Robert Pattinson sought recognition for his acting in independent films. He took on more angular, introspective roles to erase Edward’s romantic image. At the same time, Robert often appears dusty and bearded. In 2014, the actor appeared in two works released at the Cannes Film Festival, The Rover and Maps to the Stars. His role as a criminal in The Rover was praised by experts. Variety commented that Robert was successful with his Southern accent and showed the character’s hidden dignity, and said that the role redefined his career.
Taylor Lautner
The actor born in 1992 plays the werewolf Jacob – the third person who interferes in the love story of the two main characters. In Twilight (2008), the character is only a supporting role but his role gradually expands as the story progresses. According to MTV, after the first episode, the producers intended to replace Taylor with someone else because they thought he was not strong enough for the role of Jacob. The actor worked hard to gain 14 kg, convincing the studio to let him keep the role.
In The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009), Taylor impressed with her toned, vibrant body, in contrast to the romantic and white Edward. Many critics believe that Taylor’s appearance is an important factor in helping the series succeed, especially in episode two (when Edward is absent for most of the film). At the age of 17, the actor is considered a new generation “sex symbol” by GQ, Rolling Stone and People.
Ashley Greene
Among Twilight’s vampires, Alice – Edward’s adopted sister with prophetic abilities – impresses with her beauty. Playing this role is Ashley Greene – an American actress born in 1987, with attractive eyes and a balanced body. Ashley used to want to be a model but wasn’t tall enough (1.65m) so she turned to becoming an actress.
In 2012, in Marie Claire, Ashley Greene said Twilight brought fame but also made her lose balance in life, making it difficult to date and communicate with friends. After the last part of Twilight, the actress still worked regularly but did not have a prominent role. The horror film The Apparition (2012) – a rare work in which she starred – failed at the box office with a revenue of 9 million USD, while the budget was 17 million USD.
