When it comes to our favorite films, sometimes we want to compare and contrast the characters, the actors, and the directors of the movies. There are so many connections to be made when you sit down and think about it, and it’s fascinating to see how movies influence each other. One of the newest examples of this is Eclipse and Breaking Dawn Part 2. The former is the conclusion of the Twilight Saga, which focuses on Jacob Black’s (Taylor Lautner) quest to stop the eclipse and protect Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) from marrying a werewolf. Part 2 continues where Eclipse leaves off, as it follows the adventures of Bella and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) as they try to have a baby.
This comparison focuses on the similarities and differences between Jamie Vardy and Robert Pattinson, the malevolent characters they play, and the obstacles they face in order to achieve their goals. As actors, they have a lot in common – they’re both British, they’re both in the entertainment industry, and they both had to bulk up for their roles. Let’s explore their similarities and differences:
The Similarities
The first thing you’ll notice about Vardy and Pattinson is their similarities – they’re both British, they’ve both had to bulk up for their roles, and they both play very similar characters. Before we compare their roles, let’s discuss what makes these characters so similar. It comes from their similarities as actors – both had to put their careers on hold in order to focus on their roles, and both ended up having to alter their appearance in order to fit the part. These two didn’t just meet in person, they’ve known each other for years and even have some sort of relationship in real life. It’s not hard to see how they could bond over their mutual love for acting and for each other.
The Differences
Now that we know a little bit about the similarities between Vardy and Pattinson, let’s discuss their differences. First of all, it’s important to point out that they’re acting out different roles – Vardy plays a vampire, while Pattinson plays a werewolf. Vardy is a professional poker player, and in Eclipse, he uses this skill to gain an upper hand over other vampires. In Breaking Dawn Part 2, he is the one who tries to help Bella get close to her daughter. Pattinson has stated that this wasn’t an easy transition for him, as he didn’t really see himself as a wolf, but he also sees Vardy as a completely different character. Here’s what he had to say about the process of bringing the character of Jacob Black to life:
“I remember coming up with the idea of doing a voice as opposed to doing a regular [acting] audition. The director [Katie [Kaelen]] said ‘you can’t just do a voice – you have to do an entire scene.’ So I went home and thought about it, and I realized that if I didn’t want to damage my voice, I had to put all my energy into it. I ended up doing about 10 takes. It was exhausting just going through it, but I remember thinking that it was totally worth it after watching the finished product.”
Another important difference between Vardy and Pattinson is their objectives – while Vardy is out to save the human race by any means necessary, Pattinson’s primary goal is to protect Bella and their family. Vardy wants to be in charge, to lead the pack, and he won’t hesitate to sacrifice himself if necessary. On the contrary, Pattinson wants to be the perfect father and husband, someone Bella can rely on to look out for her and their daughter. Vardy doesn’t trust humans, while Pattinson wants to save them; one of the reasons why he is so committed to protecting Bella is because she is his daughter’s future mother. Vardy’s plan is to make humans suffer, and Pattinson’s is to make them see the error of their ways. It makes for interesting character studies, especially since neither of them is easily written off as evil – it’s all about what motivates them.
The Characters
Before we compare Vardy and Pattinson’s characters, let’s take a quick moment to discuss the villain of the piece, Vicky Vale (Barbara Hershey). Vale is the leader of a group of other vampires – she doesn’t take kindly to the idea of any of her children dying, which is why she is trying to stop the eclipse. Not only is it bad for business, but it makes her look bad in front of her fellow vampires. She is incredibly powerful, intelligent, and tenacious, and it’s clear that she’s determined to protect her own kind, even if it means sacrificing the humans. We shouldn’t really be surprised that Hershey has reprised her role as Vale in Eclipse, as she also played the part of the grandmother in New Moon. It would appear that she’s got some nice staying power!
Speaking of characters we’ve seen before, we need to mention Edward Cullen. It’s funny how the name “Cullen” means something completely different in British English and American English – in American English, it means “to lighten,” while in British English it means “to cool.” Either way, it refers to Cullen’s unique ability to emit light from his hands. Edward is the ultimate father figure to Bella, and he plays an essential part in both of their journeys. When Twilight first came out, many fans were upset that Edward didn’t appear in the first film – he was a supporting character who played an essential part in the story. Thanks to a little cinematic magic, Edward shows up in the flesh in Eclipse, and it doesn’t take long for him to prove that he is not the same Edward we knew back in Twilight. This incarnation is more mature and reliable, and he even gives one of the best movie quotes of all time:
“Bella, you looked me in the eyes last night and told me you loved me. And you know what? I believe you. I’m not ashamed to admit it, because you have never been more real to me than you are right now, even when we are separated by a world of trouble.”
The Twilight Saga continues with Breaking Dawn Part 2, the second and final part of the four-film series. If you’ve never read the Twilight books, here’s a short synopsis: After the events of Twilight, Bella finds out that she is pregnant with Edward’s baby. She is then forced to make a choice between staying with her life as an engaged woman, or taking a chance at true love with Jacob. We won’t give away any more of the plot, but let’s just say that Bella’s decision is not an easy one to make. Breaking Dawn Part 2 picks up a few months after the events of Twilight, where Bella and Jacob’s relationship continues to grow. They get married as planned, but are then forced to deal with the fact that Jacob is actually a werewolf, and as such, has a lot of growing up to do before he can be a good husband and father. Their growing love for each other is tested as they must now parent a baby together, while also trying to survive as werewolves in the wild.
What is perhaps most interesting about the Twilight phenomenon is how much it has inspired fans, both young and old. There are entire websites, Twitter accounts, and blogs dedicated to the culture that has sprung up around it. Whether you are a fan of the books or the films, there’s plenty to discover; here are just a few examples of what we mean.
The Influence
It’s no secret that Twilight and its sequels have inspired many young fans to become interested in fashion. The fashion industry has been rocked by the rise of “Twilight fashion,” with young people everywhere copying the outfits worn by the characters in the films. It’s even had an influence on those who weren’t directly affected by the saga – people who have seen the films and are fans of the books have told us that they feel inspired by the characters and the story, and it shows in their outfits and their mannerisms. It’s kind of hard to put into words the overwhelming popularity that Twilight has had around the world – it’s one of the biggest blockbusters of all time and continues to grow in popularity even four years after its release.