Ever since the first Twilight movie came out, fans have been swooning over actor Robert Pattinson. They love his brooding looks and his charming laconic sense of humor. Now that the final season of The Twilight Saga is complete, it’s time for fans to reflect on the one-of-a-kind experience and see what they can learn from it.
The most recent addition to Robert Pattinson’s IMDb page is a new movie aptly named Little Ashes. The movie is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and it marks the beginning of a brand-new franchise for Robert Pattinson. The production company for the movie, Moonshot Entertainment, acquired the adaptation rights to Romeo and Juliet in 2014. They decided to put their spin on it and make it their own. What makes the adaptation unique is that it is an R-rated movie and it is set in contemporary times. The only other movie of its kind is Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. But even that was adapted from a play.
Based on the rave reviews that the movie has been getting, one would think that it is a must-see for fans of The Twilight Saga. And you would be right! Still, it might be a good idea to see it before diving into Twilight (if you haven’t seen the latter yet).
Here’s what you need to know about Little Ashes before hitting the theaters.
The Major Differences Between The Twilight Saga and Little Ashes
Apart from the obvious fact that one is a love story and the other is a tragedy, there are a number of major differences between the Twilight Saga and Little Ashes. First of all, Little Ashes is rated R for “strong sexual content and language.” It also has a running time of 2 hours and 20 minutes. As a comparison, Twilight has a running time of 2 hours and 56 minutes. The second major difference has to do with the actors. While the Twilight series is mostly made up of unknowns, Little Ashes boasts a big name in the form of Robert Pattinson. In fact, he is the biggest name to ever appear in an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. The movie is definitely the superstar’s showcase.
Why Should You Watch This Adaptation Of William Shakespeare’s Romeo And Juliet?
Apart from being one of the greatest adaptations of all time, there is a lot to love about William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It is one of the most popular plays of all time and it has been adapted multiple times. The most recent adaptation is called Romeo and Juliet: The Final Season and it premiered on January 13, 2020. Let’s take a look at why you should watch this latest adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic play.
The Most Iconic Scene From Romeo And Juliet
No discussion of Little Ashes would be complete without mentioning the iconic balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. If you’ve never seen it, then prepare to have your mind blown. The scene is simply Juliet leaning on a balcony railing and looking out into the night at a parade of people below. The camera slowly pulls back and we see that the people in the parade are actually marching with the Capulet and the Montague factions. Even in its most iconic form, the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet is no small feat. It is quite the striking image and it was certainly a major step forward for cinema. It is also one of the major reasons why viewers should watch this adaptation. The producers took the time to pay tribute to this pivotal scene in their adaptation and they even shot some of it in the form of a flashback.
The Casting Is Outstanding
Apart from having one of the most iconic scenes, Romeo and Juliet also boasts some of the best casting ever. If you’ve seen the movie, then you know which part I’m talking about. The entire cast is made up of some of the most recognizable faces in film. From top to bottom, it is an all-star lineup. Even Lucille Ball makes an appearance as the Nurse. While I’m sure she had to be paid a pretty penny to have her likeness used in a movie, it was definitely worth it. It could’ve been anybody in the world, but these are the people who were chosen to play the legendary lovers.
A Look At The Future Of Star Trek
While we are on the subject of actors, let’s move on to something a little more serious. One of the major differences between Little Ashes and the Twilight Saga has to do with the direction that the movies take. Since this is a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic and it is set in contemporary times, the filmmakers have the freedom to choose their own storylines and devices. One of the major decisions was to make Rafe Spanton the male lead. And what a cast he has! From the aforementioned Robert Pattinson to Mark Strong, there is an entire generation of leading men here. They are mostly British and many of them are even Royalty!
With his strong jaw and penetrating gaze, Mark Strong is the perfect choice to play Romeo. If you’ve ever listened to the British actor’s deep voice in any of his dramatic roles, you’ll have no trouble recognizing him as the play’s hero. As a matter of fact, when Strong was first cast as Romeo, he read the script and then proceeded to yell at the producers. “This is not the work of William Shakespeare!” he proclaimed. “We must adjust the lines! No one wants to watch a bloody play!” And so, they did. But Strong’s performance is so good that when he first walks onto the screen, the audience is automatically won over.
One Final Note
While you’re pondering all of this, take a moment to think about one more thing. While it is true that Twilight is over, the fandom has not yet found a new obsession. It is still a pretty popular series among teens and tweens. Who knows? Maybe Robert Pattinson will create yet another franchise before people get sick of him.
As for now, it is safe to assume that Little Ashes will do just fine in the theaters. It will be Pattinson’s first time leading a franchise and he will be flanked by an A-list lineup of stars. Even if you’ve never seen Twilight, you know what they’re doing and you know why they’re doing it. It is safe to say that this is going to be one unforgettable ride!