The Twilight Saga: New Moon is officially out, and fans of the vampire romance series are gearing up for the final installment this December. While we wait for the conclusion of the trilogy, let’s revisit some of the characters that have stood out to us over the past two years of watching the story of Bella and her transformation into a vampire unfold on the big screen. As it turns out, the actor who plays Edward Cullen also has a hand in several other major Hollywood franchises, so it will be interesting to see which characters he chooses to tackle next and which ones he leaves to the stuntmen.
The Novelist: Edward Cullen
I know what you’re thinking: Isn’t it weird that an article about an actor’s breakout character focuses on a vampire? Well, let me ask you this: When the opportunity arose for me to play Edward Cullen, I had recently completed work on the historical epic Cleopatra. Besides my heavy research and rigorous preparation, I got to spend some pretty amazing nights with an exceptional cast and crew. We really did create something special, and I wanted to give Edward his due. So whether you’re a fan of the books or the films, I think you’ll agree that my portrayal is pretty close to the mark.
Edward is a serious character. While I was researching vampires, I did a lot of reading. I became very interested in the subject and spent a lot of time thinking about it. I really tried to bring that to the table, and while I don’t think I succeeded completely, I’m glad I gave it a shot. Edward’s world is very different from ours. He’s not just a pretty face, and he doesn’t crave human blood the way most vampires do. He’s actually a very spiritual person who follows a pure-blood vampire aristocracy. In my opinion, it makes for an interesting contrast between the two, and I’m sure many viewers will find that contrast intriguing.
The Rebellious Teen: Tristan Thorn
The next character on our list is Tristan Thorn, who was first introduced to us in the Mortal Instruments series. It was originally reported that the role of Tristan would be played by a body double, but Matt Bomer quickly quashed that rumor. Tristan is the teenage son of Lord Asriel. While he shows great courage and resilience in the face of danger, his carefree attitude and love for motorcycles clashes with his father’s stern attitude and deep respect for traditional British values. Bomer’s performance is phenomenal, and he makes for a likeable, well-rounded character who definitely won’t get along with his father. Even in the face of a complete and total freak show like Clary Fray, Tristan still manages to keep his cool and retain his dignity.
The Dark-Haired Beauty: Isabella Elaire
Speaking of Clary Fray, let’s not forget about Isabella Elaire, the human girl who falls in love with (and ultimately becomes) the mate of Clary Fray. Isabella’s father is a world-famous photographer, and her mother is an aspiring actress. Despite her humble beginnings, Isabella’s confidence, beauty, and poise belie her social status. The role was initially offered to Anna Kendrick, who had to turn it down due to scheduling conflicts. Isabella’s journey from human to vampyre is one of the series’ most fascinating and well-executed plotlines, and watching Kendrick play a strong-willed, independent-minded woman made us fans all over again. Kendrick gave a fearless performance in the face of some seriously terrifying scenes, and we couldn’t help but cheer for her when she stood her ground and refused to back down from Clary’s malevolence. For our money, Isabella is far and away the best character in the Mortal Instruments saga, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
The Badass Warrior: Alexander McQueen
On the subject of female empowerment, let’s not forget about Alexander McQueen, the bad-ass biker chick who befriends (and eventually mates with) Jace Herondale. Jace’s father is a famous fashion designer, and his mother is a talented stage actress. It’s clear that Alexander’s skill on a bike and her acting background make her the perfect fit for the role of Jace’s badass and protective friend. Despite her fearsome reputation and intimidating demeanor, it’s clear that Alexander simply wants to be accepted for who she is and not hurt or killed by anyone, especially since she finds true love with Jace. That’s such a beautiful story, and it makes us fans all the more eager to see Jace and Alexander’s happy ending.
The Charming Rogue: Christian Grey
Let’s not forget about Christian Grey, the charming rogue who befriends (and ultimately mates with) Elena Miransky, the wife of an oligarch. Christian is the son of a famous author and a beautiful socialite. He has a thing for older women, and it seems that his charm and good looks have a way of getting what he wants, despite his bad-boy reputation. His bad boy appeal makes him an appropriate leading man for the era, and it’s clear that he has a genuine interest in helping the underprivileged and less fortunate. That’s the kind of person Christian is. He’ll scam on the side, but he genuinely wants to help. Christian is also the epitome of a modern-day Renaissance man. He’s a self-trained fashion designer who has a line of luxury garments for men and women that he launches under his own label. Besides his undeniable good looks and charm, what makes Christian special is his ability to think outside of the box and come up with unique and innovative ideas. We can’t wait to see what he does next.
There are, of course, other characters played by prominent Hollywood actors that we’d like to see them tackle. What are some of your favorite breakout characters from film and TV? We’d love to hear your thoughts!