TA TALKS BACK: IT’S CALLED TWILIGHT NOT ROBERT PATTINSON
TA fan Ashley needs fans to know it’s about Twilight not Rob:
Anyone who has not been living in a cave for the past six months knows that Robert Pattinson is the dreamy, debonair, yet dangerous, on-screen Edward Cullen. In fact, he very nearly embodies the entire Twilight movie franchise. His face, chiseled to the extreme (perfect for that famous marbled-Adonis look) and completed by a celebrated head of wildly gorgeous copper hair, is plastered onto virtually every Twilight piece of merchandise—undoubtedly a result of the notion that if Pattinson ain’t on it, it won’t sell. And as if he was not already portraying the perfect man, Pattinson is imbued with all the charms necessary in a dreamboat, namely, the hot physique, deep eyes, sculpted features, crooked smile, and humble spirit. Oh, and did I mention he’s British?The above adulation is hardly necessary; everyone loves Robert Pattinson, and every female alive wants to bear his children—I would probably count myself among that group.
That said, is it just me, or has the RPattz worship gone too far? Has Twilight become more Hollywood and less Forks, Washington? Though the movie has certainly propelled the series into the media spotlight—by no means a negative effect—it was not the face of Robert Pattinson (or Jackson Rathbone or Kellan Lutz) that made Twilighters, well, Twilighters. Personally, the movie poster will never produce the same mysterious thrill throughout my body as the indelible image of two ghostly hands emerging from the darkness cradling a vivid red apple. The media seems to have wrongly equated Twilight fans with Robert Pattinson fans, an assumption that is certainly not reciprocally true; and the media is not the only perpetrator. Watch any one of the myriad of videos covering Pattinson’s appearances before fans, and over the irritating screams you are bound to hear “OH MY GOD, EDWARD CULLEN!!!” shouted multiple times. For the love of all that’s holy. Differences in priorities cannot be admonished, but the surmise that Robert Pattinson equals Twilight is something I find rather insulting. As unbelievable as it sounds, there are some Twilight fans who are more interested in Stephenie Meyer’s story and the character of Edward Cullen than the sexy face on screen.
With New Moon just beginning production, much talk has been made about the supposed merits of the story many consider to be the worst of the saga—specifically, Edward being primarily absent and a forward, stinky wolf-boy taking his place. In an article titled “Twilight: 10 Ways to Make ‘New Moon’ Into an Awesome Movie,” one fan lists “Robert Pattinson” as the Number 1 requirement. She reasons, “I’m sure the script has been written in one way or another to give Robert Pattinson plenty of screen time. However, this needs to be done in a way that stays true to the story that Stephenie Meyer told in New Moon.” Amen to that, but is Robert Pattinson what we’re after, or Edward Cullen? Again, this may all sound completely nit-picky, but it is a perplexing phenomenon nonetheless. When it comes to New Moon, I would rather see the story faithfully represented than Pattinson’s gorgeous face in every other frame (you know to please the “fans” and all. Uh huh.). I wear my “Team Edward” shirt and bracelet with pride, but I would rather see “Team Jacob” prevail in this next installment. Then the glorious RPattz can return to his dazzling duties as Edward Cullen as called for in Eclipse, and I will swoon appropriately.
As November approaches ever so slowly, and Twilighters prepare themselves for the pivotal release of New Moon, we must also ask ourselves why we care as much as we do. Do we love the stars, or do we love the story? The choice is not a mutually exclusive; in fact, a Team Switzerland position is probably the healthiest balance. But remember, before the silver screen, there lived a vampire, a girl, and a werewolf in a little, rainy town called Forks…
Sources:
Wetter, Kim. “Twilight: 10 Ways to turn ‘New Moon’ Into an Awesome Movie.” BuddyTV. 12
March 2009. BuddyTV. 23 March 2009 (http://www.buddytv.com/articles/twilight/twilight-10-ways-to-turn-new-m-26927.aspx).
Talk Back to us….what do you think?
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twilight most definitely does NOT mean rob pattinson for me!!
Team Jake!.. but i do find myself calling our governor “governer Pattinson” instead of Paterson! lol
While I agree with the article, I believe that in order for New Moon to be a commercial success Rob will have to make enough appearance throughout to tantalize the fans, but not enough to override the story. After all the werewolves become very important in the subsequent books and movies, so they need to establish Jacob and the pack as a force of equal power to the Cullens.
That being said I can’t wait for the reunion of Edward and Bella on screen, and as such Rob and Kristen in all their glory.
Yes I know Rob isn’t Edward, but he has done an amazing job of bringing Edward to life on the screen, and then his own personality has only endeared him to the fans. Rob does not equal Edward but he is a good enough actor that I am waiting just as anxiously to see films outside of the Twilight Saga as his career moves forward.
I agree! I saw the movie 1st and I’ve alway thought Rob was cute so he was a plus. After seeing the movie I read the books(all 4 in less than 2 weeks) and fell in love with the story! Rob is great as Edward but at the same time there is alot of attention on him as Edward and the books aren’t just about him! New Moon has to say true to the book and if that means less Edward then so be it!
The first paragraph is a riot! I laughed out loud. Yes, we love our Rob….ugh - sometimes too much. What the hell is wrong with me? anyway…
This part cracked me up too (and did as well when I read it from the lips of Edward Cullen) “For the love of all that’s holy.” HILARIOUS!
Now, on to New Moon - I swooned during Twilight and cried my freaking heart out in New Moon. I FELT the blazing emptiness of life without Edward and I wept for Bella and wrapped my arms and heart around a heartbroken Jacob. HOLY YOU KNOW WHAT! What a book! Who said New Moon was the “worst of the saga”? “Put em up!!”.
I ended the last book a week ago after going through the series for the 2nd time. I’ve been trying desperately to read a different book but I’m bored to tears. I started Twilight again last night (HAH!) but honestly, I’m dreading New Moon because of the depth of emotion that it evokes from me. Evokes? Did I actually say such a soft word? It Rips My Freaking Heart out and totally sucks the air out of my lungs. And to steal Kellen’s words, “I get depressed and mopey”. I just listen to all the sad music, “Let me sign and Never Think, Flightless bird”, not to mention the Twilight Score, Soundtrack and let me see, did I leave anything out? Well practically any song from anywhere reminds me of Twilight now. But the sad music is the only way to keep me breathing and heal my broken soul while reading New Moon.
I’m going to admit this because someone else did; I dream of Twilight and wake up thinking about it and I listen to the music playing in my head. Yeah ok, I’m obsessed - but can’t help it and although it seems freaking weird to me the main FEEL is incredible. It’s such a break from war, money, death, recession, negative, negative, negative. I’m on the I LOVE Edward, Rob, Bella, Kristen, etc (all inclusive) Locomotive. And I’m leaving behind all the crap as I speed forward with the wind in my hair and my tongue hanging out (imagine a happy dog) with a smile on my face. And so what to the naysaysers. Just try to change me. I’ve been working out with weights. lol
All my love to the other Twilight(all characters inclusive)freaks.
i love the story so much, and the stars that have brought the story visually to life. also, i am team switzerland.
I am with Chris all the way… I am re-reading the Saga (get ready for this…) for the 8th time. Yes, the 8th time. This is a powerful love story, and I can’t put it down, nor am I ready to.
I had so many emotions while reading the Saga but in New Moon especially. I balled like a baby when Edward left… I called my co-worker who was a book ahead of me to MAKE her tell me if he came back! (She wouldn’t tell me) I finished the series in 4 days the first time around. This is an incredible love story and it makes you believe in happy endings again!
I think that Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart (along with all of the awesome actors in the movie) did an extraordinary job bringing Edward and Bella to life. With that said, I don’t think it would have mattered who was cast if you are a TRUE fan of the story. Don’t get me wrong- I am OVERJOYED with RPattz and Kristen!!!! I am so glad that they agreed to take on such a well known book and transform Stephenie Meyer’s vision into a much loved movie!
I love the Twilight Saga. Enough said!
Amen Sista!!!!! I love oogling over Rob Pattinson as much as the next girl (well woman in my case) but it is the STORY that I love not the ACTOR! I honestly felt physically heart broken when I finished Breaking Dawn, as if my first love had dumped me and broken my heart and I was standing in the rain watching him walk away (kind of like Bella when Edward leaves!) and wanted nothing more than the story to go on. While I am looking forward to all of the books being made into movies, it is only so I can relive the books over and over again by just popping them into my DVD player!!! I love you Stephenie Meyer! Please write more about the Cullens!!!!
Well we are DEFINITELY in this together and I know a bunch of you feel the same way I do. =)
So I said I finished the last book Round 2 but did I mention that I ended on “Midnight Sun” the “only 300 pages” from Edwards perspective? Did anyone hear a really loud and resounding “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO” a few days ago? It may have sounded like a sonic boom. Well that was me.
Please Stephenie, we’re pleading. *hug*
OME!!!! LOL!!! I couldn’t decide which was the better written piece…. Ashley’s TATB piece or Chris’ blog in response to it! LOL!!! Both of you have been floating around in my mind, haven’t you!!! While I was not a fan of Rob’s before Twilight, he is my vision of Edward. However, for many, I can see how that just isn’t true. I have so much to say in response to both of you that I can’t keep my thoughts straight. Plus, I think I’d write a book if I kept reading and commenting about them. So, just get out of my head, would you both?? LOL!!!!! j/k … Sometimes I wish we could all just hang out together since we “get each other” so much! Ideas anyone??????
I agree! Not that I don’t think Rob did a great job with Edward, but I love the characters…I appreciate that the actors bring them to life, but when I’m reading the books they are not the faces that I see.
Me tooo Chris………. I felt guilty about reading Midnight Sun since Stephenie did not want to finish it because of all of the controversy around it but it was my last little ditch effort to get a little more of a Cullen fix!!!! I hung on every word and would be first in line to buy it at the nearest book store if she would finish it! I am a Twilight addict also and know exactly what you are saying when you go to sleep dreaming about it and wake up thinking about it. It does get a little better as time goes on (just like getting over that boyfriend who broke my heart) but I just can’t forget about it. I loved living in my fantasy vampire world to escape the everyday world we are in! I lent out all four of my books just so that I would not be tempted into rereading them all again right away but………. I watch the movie every other day and listen to my Twilight CD on a daily basis so…. needless to say it has not completely gone away for me yet. I keep thinking that by the time New Moon comes out I will be over this feeling and then the movie will bring it all back again! Ugh!!!!! This is definitely a love - hate relationship. If only Stephenie could hear our pleas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks to all of those Twilighters who make me feel not-so-insane about my feelings!
I believe that if you are a true fan to the story than you would want the movie to stay true to the books. While Edward is gone in New Moon this makes for the big build up of Edward & Bella a sets up the next 2 books. After reading this book the first time I didn’t quite like it as much but after reading the entire series a second time I appreciated the story more. After reading the books i too am like Chris dreaming of all things Twilight. I love the saga and as long as the books stay true to books they will be great no matter who is or isn’t in the movies!
kijo921: Ok, your turn. Get out of my head please!
I was thinking the same thing and started formulating a club or place that Stephenie would approve of called “Twilight”. A safe place where we could let our hair down and be ourselves (well, after the initial feeling of “I’m a total freak and don’t belong here”). Not to mention utter embarrassment at first but then we wouldn’t care because we’d have a place to let it all out! The walls would be adorned with Twilight photos…oooh. We wouldn’t have to say anything to anyone walking in the door because our eye contact would say it all and everyone would feel safe.
Speaking of fantasy world - but obviously I’m not alone in this “thought process” based on your comment. “Bird’s of a feather” ya know. =)
Definitely, Janelle! Don’t feel bad at all…! I ordered the Edward and Bella dolls for my son for his birthday (he’s 5 and yes, I feel like I ordered them for my sake too!) Anyway, he was just as excited to get them as I was! We listen to the soundtrack in my car everyday on our way home from school. Some of my students just called me to ask me a question about Breaking Dawn (and it’s 6 in the evening and we all read it months ago). The saga has become a part of [some of] our lives on a daily basis. I know I’m not the only one that keeps up with a daily dose from TA! I know that there are many others out there who get their daily doses from other sites…. so NO, I don’t feel alone (online, that is) but in the general public, I do. My obsession is not quite a secret, but I don’t run down the streets proclaiming my love of all things Twilight either. (I smell a TA Talks Back article coming on…) Anyway, I think our obsession waxes and wanes or there’s this ebb and flow… or something. No matter what…. we all know that this will be around for a long time!
I do agree with you all when I borrowed the books from my babysitter I read them in 2 weeks, I went and saw the movie and was somewhat disappointed. I read Twilight again and realized that alot of the book was missing before watching it again on DVD.
Then I ordered the books because I just had to read them AGAIN and share them with my friends who love a good book. One friend is on the last book…. and loves them. I have the soundtrack too and listen to it often I soooo love the Collective Soul song…
Then I decided I needed to hear the books on CD and have been slowly receiving them from my library and am enjoying the books again.
Don’t get me wrong but I think Robert is gorgeous and has interpreted Edward better than I could of imagined, but these movies are based on these wonderful books (which we love). Just like Daniel Radcliff is not Harry Potter. Great article Ashley….
I completely agree! As much as I adore Rob, I am all about stephanie’s story and edwards character(the others of course too though).
Well said Ashley! As for me,I was and still am positively,and absolutely in love with Edward Cullen.I love his brothers and sisters too,and his mom and dad,and Charlie.Renee is cool too.I dream of them, even wanted to move to Forks,and looked at houses on the internet. It was getting out of control. But as far as Robert Pattinson goes, well I now love him too. But that’s because,EDWARD introduced me to him,and now I’ve learned he’s such a sweetheart too.
yeah, rob is hot, but i totally agree with the article. we need to leave hollywood and head back to forks!
Very well said. I think that most people equate Robert Pattinson with Edward Cullen. People love Edward so much, and before the movies were made, they didn’t really have a person to throw that affection on. Rob became the face of one of the most loved characters of this generation, and that’s why there is so much craze surrounding him. (Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Robert Pattinson, but not just for being Edward).
As much as I cringed through the entire Jacob section of New Moon (I like Jacob, just not with Bella), it would be a shame to get away from the story just so we can see Rob. He’s doing other projects, so that’s not an issue. I wonder if as many people will go to see his other movies when he’s not playing Edward.
As much as I loved RPatz portrayal of Edward (I must say he was perfect). Its about the saga more than Rob.
I can so agree with this a 100%. It is all based on Bella’s story (view point)and not Edwards (that part will come out in a few yrs n cn’t wait for that). I am totally annoyed with some of these fans to be honest are you true fans of the books or just Rob? Also for all those Rob fans have u always been fans of Rob’s or is it just because of this movie. He has done awesome work before and is still doing awesome work. Alot of fans are going to see Little Ashes because hes in it but then will be amazed on what that story line is all about. Well I guess that is all I have to say on this topic for now.
fyi the actors are playing characters they are not the real people since the characters are fictional.
Yes, it is called Twilight NOT Robert Pattinson, I agree. We know Rob is so much more than that,
I fell in love with the story of Twilight and Twilight’s Edward way way before Robert Pattinson walked into the cafeteria. But when he did it wow it hit me like a bolt of lightning , Edward now had a face, there he was in person ahhhhhhhhhh to me he looked exactly like Stephenie described him. I like totally imprinted….so for me Rob is Edward yes, but not the whole of Twilight. Kristen is Bella, Taylor is Jacob etc…. everyone was cast well, I think. They have all and I mean all bought the characters to life for me, now reading and re- reading the books , yes I do see their faces when I read about Bella I see Kristen and when I read about Jacob I see cute Taylor , and of course *swoon, sigh* when I read about Edward I see Rob… Yes, his face sells Twilight stuff , but NOT only him…We love Twilight for Twilight that Robert Pattinson is part of Twilight well that’s a big BONUS to us all . But we also know that Rob is more than that , he is magnificent actor and musician ( Rob just gave Edward a face, that’s all) just like he gave Cedric a face and even back then I thought (“uhh , hello he’s cute”) who is he , I like to see more of him… and here we are seeing him as Art in How to be and as Salvador in Little Ashes etc…
As always I love reading Chris and darlenecullen responses . Now just waiting for creamy’s ?
Yes!! Thank you! I agree! I am one of the few Twilight fans NOT obssessed over Robert Pattinson. If you ask me, he looked better in Harry Potter. Personally, I think that virtually ANYONE they cast as Edward would have gotten this type of attention. A popular book says Edward Cullen is attractive, casting people hire an actor to play Edward Cullen, and you’re left with girls screaming his name, regardless of looks, and even if they did not know he existed 6 months ago. The Rob hype has gotten out of hand, and to be honest, I kind of feel sorry for the guy. Did you know that he has agoraphobia? Fear of panic attacks generally caused by large crowds? It’s high time Robsessed fangirls give him some space.