While we were all eagerly anticipating The Twilight Saga: New Moon, the news that it would be Robert Pattinson’s last film as Edward Cullen spread like wildfire. Fans were furious and saddened by the news. He had become one of the most beloved characters in the Twilight universe and his acting skills had only cemented that fact.
While no one would ever want to see Robert Pattinson opt for a life of leisure, it is always a shock when actors grow tired of their prestigious roles. That is why the news that he is disenchanted with being Edward Cullen will come as such a relief to fans. Will he now be searching for a new project to sink his teeth into? Is he even considering a life away from Hollywood?
It is always nice to see Hollywood stars enjoying themselves on screen. It provides the viewer with a break from the mundane aspects of everyday life. When an actor smiles or laughs on screen, the emotion is genuine and it makes the effort worth it. Robert Pattinson is no exception. Even when he is playing a ruthless villain, Pattinson manages to exude a certain charm.
Although he may no longer fancy himself as the iconic Edward Cullen, there is still a part of us that will always associate him with that role. He has been such an integral part of the Twilight phenomenon that it will be hard for us to see Lycaon as anything other than Edward. Even when he is playing a different character, like the cold blooded villain that he was in the excellent Water for Elephants, he managed to keep that charming twinkle in his eye.
The Role Of A Lifetime
The role of Edward Cullen has been a career highlight for Robert Pattinson. After getting his big break with Twilght, he has been able to showcase an entirely different side to his acting skills. Not satisfied with playing the tortured artist, Pattinson has risen to the challenge set before him and shown us a whole new side to his acting prowess. He possesses a rare combination of natural charm and acting skills that has seen him emerge as one of the most popular and respected Englishmen of an entire generation.
Having watched every film that he has ever been in, it is fair to say that Edward Cullen is responsible for some of the most memorable scenes in movie history. Many scenes are so iconic that they have earned him a spot in the Guinness World Records as the actor who has appeared in the most iconic movie scenes. While it is true that he may not have had the best of luck with the ladies (for which he has no responsibility whatsoever), his on-screen escapades have often been the highlight of the movie. In particular, the motorcycle scene in the excellent DiCaprio vehicle, The Wolf of Wall Street, still causes jaws to drop even today when it pops up on classic television shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
One of the most memorable scenes from Edward Cullen is the motorcycle accident that he narrowly escapes. Even now, when I think back to this scene, my heart skips a beat. It is a scene that has become so iconic that it was later parodied by Lewis Black in a skit for Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
If you have ever seen a film by Michael Mann, you will know exactly what I mean when I say that it is akin to watching a master craftsman at work. From the opening credits that slowly roll through the streets of New York City, to the amazing shots of the city at night that play out in the film like a cinematographic fever dream, Mann somehow manages to evoke the essence of urban life in his exquisite montages. It is an incredible feat of filmmaking that is as exhilarating to watch as it is insightful.
The Mystery Of A Happy Ending
It is well-known that Mann is a dedicated champion of the underdogs. From the very beginning of his career, he was passionate about shining a light on social issues and complex world problems. The protagonist of his 2008 film, The Dark Knight, Harvey Dent, starts off as the most despised man in Gotham. By the end of the film, however, we sense that Mann may have made the ultimate sacrifice for his art. It is a theme that can be seen throughout his entire body of work. From the powerful The Keep to the charmingly titled The Dark Knight Rises, it is fair to say that Mann is never afraid to put his money where his mouth is.
In the case of The Twilight Saga, it is clear that Mann views his main character, Stephenie Meyer, as an underdog. Her initial rejections and close shaves with disaster are quite the opposite of the success that she finds in the end. Stephenie Meyer has always been a passionate advocate of the written word and it is quite the literary tale that she has crafted. That passion is what makes her such an integral part of the Twilight phenomenon. While the films may not all be perfect, it is quite an achievement that all of them, including New Moon, can be considered among her best works.
Different Strokes For Different Folks
One of the great things about The Twilight Saga is that it offers a wide spectrum of films for a diverse group of people. Like Michael Mann and Stephenie Meyer before him, Taika Waititi is another prominent filmmaker who was quick to jump on board the Twilight train. His enthusiasm for the project is infectious; he speaks with such passion about the cinematic universe that was launched by Stephenie Meyer and co-produced with her husband, Bill Condon. This passion is quite apparent in his direction of the first Hobbit film. Even without that, however, we know that he is an incredible talent. It is no wonder that he was picked to helm this Marvel Studios project.
What is quite fascinating is that while Waititi’s direction of the first Hobbit film was undoubtedly the highlight of the entire franchise, it is quite the opposite for someone else. Lee Pace, who plays the lead role of Luke Wilson, has had a change of heart about the whole experience. We can almost see the gears turning in his head as he thought back to the numerous late-night phone calls that he had to make while filming The Hobbit. In a 2012 interview, he shared how uncomfortable he was with the whole experience. He spoke about the pressure that he was under to perform and the fact that the role was so consuming that he was never really able to step back and enjoy the experience. This took its toll on his personal life and he spoke about the toll that it took on his relationships. It was quite a change of heart for an actor who had quite the stardom at the time. It is quite the conundrum that while the Waititi-directed films have maintained a strong following, the rest of the franchise hasn’t been able to capture the same level of enthusiasm. There is quite the mystery as to why this is the case.
Final Thoughts
It is always a pleasure to watch an actor find new ways to showcase their talent. Robert Pattinson has certainly done that and more with his role as Edward Cullen. Since making his debut in the phenomenal Harry Potter film, Pattinson has showcased an incredible range of acting abilities. It is quite the achievement that he has been able to maintain such a high level of energy and enthusiasm for his craft. This is quite unlike most Hollywood stars whose energy never seems to last once the camera stops rolling. The mystery of why is a bit more complex than that, but it is all the more exciting to see an actor keep finding new ways to excite us. It is quite an achievement that he has been able to keep finding new ways to impress us for almost two decades. With his last film as Edward Cullen, hopefully, he can continue to do so for years to come. In the meantime, let’s enjoy this latest turn in an incredible acting career.