Robert Pattinson, the British actor best known for his role as Edward Cullen in the Twilight films, sat down with GQ Spain for an interview, where he addressed the ongoing criticism surrounding the franchise.
Pattinson offers his perspective on the criticism that vampire films have ruined the genre.
“I find it amusing that people constantly tell me, ‘Man, Twilight destroyed the vampire genre,” Pattinson shared in his interview with GQ Spain.
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Long before ‘Twilight’ became a global phenomenon, it was a story waiting to be told. With a then-unknown cast, the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s young-adult novel, featuring the romance between Cullen and teen girl Bella Swan, which was played by Kristen Stewart ignited the box office, debuting to a staggering $70 million in November 2008.
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The Catherine Hardwicke-directed ‘Twilight’ not only spawned four successful sequels, New Moon, Eclipse, and the two-part Breaking Dawn, that grossed a combined $3.4 billion globally but also ignited a cultural movement. The star-crossed romance between Cullen and Swan, further complicated by the introduction of werewolf Jacob Black played by Taylor Lautner, captivated a generation of fans, leading to passionate debates and the formation of Team Edward and Team Jacob fan clubs.”
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Despite the film’s success, not everyone seemed to be happy about it. The Twilight franchise faced intense criticism for its reimagined vampires. According to critics, unlike traditional portrayals, Cullen and his family abstain from human blood. Additionally, Cullen’s ageless skin sparkles in sunlight.
The 2010 horror comedy Vampires Suck, a parody of the Twilight franchise, brought this pop culture critique to the big screen. Produced by 20th Century Fox, the film grossed $80.5 million worldwide.
How can you be so bitter about something that happened almost 20 years ago?” Pattinson lamented to GQ Spain, expressing his disbelief at the continued vitriol directed towards the franchise.”
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Despite facing critical scrutiny, the ‘Twilight Saga’ has recently witnessed a resurgence in popularity. In 2021, all five installments of the franchise made their way onto Netflix’s top 10 most-watched list following their addition to the streaming platform. Furthermore, Netflix is currently developing an animated series based on the ‘Midnight Sun‘ spin-off, which focuses on the Cullen family.
“I find it absolutely captivating,” Pattinson remarked. “The idea that these incredibly old films are still so culturally significant is almost unbelievable. It seems like a renaissance has taken place, much like the rise of K-pop. Korean culture, particularly in the entertainment realm, has exploded in popularity, captivating a younger generation in the West. It’s truly remarkable how these classic movies continue to hold such relevance.”
In a 2019 interview with USA TODAY, Pattinson spoke about the anxiety he faced during the height of the films’ popularity and its renewed interest.
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“It’s much more pleasant now that the frenzy has subsided,” Pattinson observed. “People approach me with such fond memories of the experience. It’s truly heartwarming. The most daunting aspect was undoubtedly the peak of the frenzy when the intensity was overwhelming. Now that the fervor has cooled down, it’s all about cherished recollections.”
He remains unaffected by the negativity of those who dislike him because of his role as Edward Cullen in the Twilight franchise.
