Oscar winner and Hollywood heartbreaker, Robert Pattinson, stars as the vampire, Edward Cullen, in the final installment of The Twilight Saga, aptly titled Breaking Dawn. The movie pits Bella and Edward against werewolves, vampires, and other creatures of the night as they strive for survival and happiness. Though the actor has portrayed a series of memorable characters, mostly brooding and dark, in the past, Pattinson’s acting talent and screen presence shine through in the light-hearted and action-packed Breaking Dawn, especially as he portrays an unlikeable and charming anti-hero.
‘Breaking Dawn’ Recap: The War Between Vampires and Werewolves
After spending the last five movies in a row with predominantly tragic storylines, Breaking Dawn opens with a bang, literally. A werewolf attack rips through the forest, leaving carnage in its wake. While Bella (Kristen Stewart) flees for her life, a now-familiar face pops up out of nowhere. It’s Edward (Pattinson), her vampire ex, who has come back to save her. As Edward races to rescue his former love, the rest of the Cullen family and their allies, including Jacob (Taylor Lautner) and Renee (Jessica Frogue) converge to try and stop the wolf pack. When all seems lost, the tables turn, as Bella’s protective nature sees her teaming up with her hunter and her sister, Alice (Morgan Freeman), to take on her vampire adversary. The battle is intense, with fang and claw fighting and blood pouring. It is a fitting end to a wildly entertaining and emotional series.
Robert Pattinson’s Career: The Making of a Movie Star
Before he was cast in the title role of The Twilight Saga, Pattinson had already established himself as an actor to watch. The handsome Brit made his Hollywood debut in the 2004 thriller, Signs, which won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He followed that up with a lead role in the 2006 period drama, The Duchess, which was based on the real-life scandal behind one of England’s most famous royal weddings. Most recently, he won critical praise for his portrayal of George Orwell in the 2010 adaption of 1984. His diverse and talented cast of colorful characters in the past have included the brooding and romantic lead, Heathcliff, in the 2006 adaptation of Wuthering Heights, the tragic and tormented protagonist in 2009’s Black Swan, and the funny and lovable Hugh Grant in the 2011 comedy, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
Pattinson was born on December 9th, 1984 in London, England. He attended the prestigious London School of Economics and subsequently began The Twilight Saga as a way to finance his acting career. After starring in the first two movies, Twilight and New Moon, which grossed a combined total of nearly $3 billion at the box office, it seems that the public has finally embraced Pattinson as he begins his long-awaited third act. He will next be seen in the sci-fi thriller, Avengers: Age of Ultron alongside James Spader, which premieres in May, 2015.