The Twilight Saga is over. The last movie was released in 2018 and wrapped up the saga that became one of the most popular story arcs of all time. The films were hugely successful, selling hundreds of millions of tickets and establishing Twilighters as a pop culture phenomenon. While many fans were happy to see the series end, it was a source of much heartache for many of the film’s stars. One of the most prominent casualties of the final movie was Kristen Stewart, who played Bella in all five of the films. The actress was reportedly devastated by the couple’s break up, and has since distanced herself from all things Twilight. After spending more than a year away from the spotlight, she returned in an interview with Elle to admit that she is “working on [her]self” and that there is “more to life than Twilight.”
And then there was Robert Pattinson. The 27-year-old actor played the eponymous character in all of the Twilight films and was arguably the biggest name among the ensemble. Though the series was an enormous success, it was also a source of personal controversy for Pattinson. In an interview with Vanity Fair, he confessed that he had a “bruising relationship” with Twilight and that it was a “tough ride” to see the series as it was “unfair” to him. Even after the franchise ended, he remained somewhat bitter about the whole experience, but mostly focused on his new projects. Most recently, he starred in the thriller Pattinson, which was released earlier this year and has been met with generally positive reviews.
And now, it seems, Pattinson is ready to end his relationship with Stewart as well. The pair broke up in January 2020, but it was not until recently that their respective camps came together to confirm their separation. Though they have yet to comment on the split directly, Stewart supported her ex-boyfriend’s announcement that he is dating Swedish comedian and director Lina Lamont. While Stewart is best known for portraying Bella in Twilight and its sequels, she has since established herself as a prolific screenwriter and producer, with credits including the upcoming Snow White and the Huntsman series and Night School.
Why Should You Care About the Robert Pattinson-Kristen Stewart Split?
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re already aware of the tumultuous relationship that was Twilight. If you’re not, then maybe it’s time to be more familiar. Kristen Stewart is one of the most prominent and well-known actresses in the world today, often referred to as the “female Tom Hanks.” Though she has largely avoided the limelight and remained relatively under the radar since breaking up with Rob in early 2020, Stewart has continued to amass a large group of dedicated fans who have followed her career since the Twilight success. The actress has a net worth of around $60 million and has never been shy about spending lavishly on her wardrobe and personal stylings.
On the other hand, Robert Pattinson is an A-lister in his own right. The 27-year-old English actor has been in the public eye since starring in the first Twilight film in 2008. Since then, he has largely shied away from the paparazzi and the celebrity lifestyle, choosing instead to focus on his acting career and private life. Like Stewart, Pattinson has gained a large following of fans who have watched him slowly rebuild his career and popularity since the Twilight days. (He currently has more than 1.7 million Instagram followers, compared to Stewart’s 300,000 and counting.)
Though they have never been shy about their public affection for one another, Stewart and Pattinson’s relationship was always a somewhat contentious one. The actress and the actor first met in 2007 when they were both starring in the Broadway musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch. They became close friends and continued to collaborate on projects up until Stewart’s 2008 break up with then-boyfriend and Twilight co-star Rupert Sanders. Since then, they have both been on and off again dating other people, with Stewart maintaining an established relationship with actor Nicholas Hoult, while Pattinson dated singer Rihanna and Mexican actress Alexa Chung before rekindling his romance with Stewart in 2016. (Forbes)
What Will This Mean for Stewart’s Career?
The Kristen Stewart-Robert Pattinson breakup will undoubtedly have an impact on the actress’ career. Though she kept relatively quiet after their breakup, she has since returned to the spotlight with a vengeance, cementing her place in Hollywood as one of the most in-demand actresses of her generation. Her publicist confirmed that Stewart is currently working on new projects, including the upcoming Snow White and the Huntsman series for Sony and a potential return to Broadway. In the wake of the breakup, Stewart has also been consulting with screenwriters and producers on numerous projects, including the upcoming Netflix adaptation of Little Women. (Variety)
The biggest impact, though, will likely be on Stewart’s reputation. In the wake of her breakup with the “King of England,” as Vanity Fair has christened him, people will be keen to see just how far she will go to protect her private life. Though Stewart has never been reluctant to speak her mind, she has largely avoided the limelight since her early days as Bella in Twilight and its sequels. It will be interesting to see just how much resistance she will put up as she returns to the spotlight after more than three years away. (Esquire)
What Will This Mean for Pattinson’s Career?
Though he has largely avoided the public eye since the Twilight films, Robert Pattinson’s career has not been entirely unaffected by his involvement in the biggest romantic saga of the 21st century. Though the actor has largely shied away from the limelight since the Twilight films, the success of the series helped rekindle his career. He has since gone on to appear in big-budget films such as Kingsman: The Golden Circle and The Librarian, earning $12 million and $7 million, respectively. (Box Office Mojo)
The biggest impact, though, will likely be on Pattinson’s reputation. Though he has mostly kept out of the headlines since the Twilight films, his name still occupies a significant portion of online searches. Thanks largely to the success of Twilight, which still ranks as the third highest-grossing series of all time, but also thanks to a steady stream of media coverage since, it will be interesting to see just how much resistance Pattinson puts up as his profile continues to rise. (Google search interest since 2018)
What happens now that the Twilight films are finally over? Will we see a rekindling of the romance that was at the center of the saga or will Robert Pattinson emerge as the ultimate winner, gaining the upper hand in the relationship? Time – and the ongoing media attention – will tell.