Walking the red carpet at the world premiere of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 in New York City on November 19, 2016 was an emotional experience for fans and critics alike. Robert Pattinson looked fantastic in a suit and tie as he arrived with his wife, FKA Twigs, at the premiere of the final installment of Stephenie Meyer’s vampire saga. But the actor’s appearance onstage at the Ziegfeld Theater wasn’t the most interesting part of the night. What was quite intriguing was the fact that Robert Pattinson was there to promote a sequel to one of the most beloved movies of all time—which he co-wrote—rather than another installment of the Twilight series.
The fact that Breaking Dawn – Part 2 is being referred to as “the finale” is a bit misleading. Sure, it ties the books together and resolves several story lines, but there are actually four more movies in the Twilight series that follow after Breaking Dawn – Part 2. There is no exact count of how many times a day Edward Cullen (Pattinson) turns into a vampire, but based on the popularity of the Twilight series, it is safe to assume that it is a lot. So, even if you have seen the movie a dozen times already, it is probably best to go see it a couple more times before the end to fully experience the series finale. Not that there is anything wrong with the movie. It is, in fact, one of Meyer’s best works. It is just an unfortunate marketing decision for fans that Breaking Dawn – Part 2 is being marketed as the last movie in the series when it is, in fact, the second to last.
More Than Meets The Eye
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 is the culmination of eight years of storytelling in Meyer’s widely acclaimed and popular Twilight series. The movie picks up right where the last movie left off and follows Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and her son, Edward Cullen, as they deal with the aftermath of the Volturi’s (Robin Wright, Wes Bentley, and Mahershalalhashbaz Hashmi) efforts to destroy their life’s work, the Volturi dynasty. But it is not just the threat of extermination that drives the movie. The stakes are also high for Bella and Edward as a human and a vampire, respectively, are forced to co-exist, which will certainly test their newfound commitment to each other. The movie also features the return of several fan-favorite characters, including Jacob (Taylor Lautner), Nessie (Dakota Fanning), and Renesmee (Kate Hudson), whose existence was previously denied by Stephenie Meyer in the last movie. For those who have watched all seven parts of The Twilight Saga or The Twilight Saga Collection, it is now possible to see the entire story told from Bella’s perspective. This is especially poignant since the entire saga is narrated by Bella and features only minor characters speaking in first-person narration. It’s a fitting goodbye to a series that has, for some, become an emotional journey to watch and love over the past seven years. For those who have never read the books, the finale may be a bit difficult to follow, but there are still plenty of juicy tidbits that will satisfy fans and new viewers alike. And, for those who have seen the series multiple times, there is also the added bonus of getting to relive some of the defining moments from the beloved movie adaptations.
A Second Coming
When it comes to the highly anticipated Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2, there are a lot of expectations and hype surrounding the movie. The finale to an immensely popular series is always going to be eagerly anticipated by fans and eagerly watched by critics. Having been teased since 2012 with images of Edward in his vampire stage, it is only natural that fans want to see more of this enigmatic and stunning character. What is surprising is that, in addition to being a fitting end to a seven-year saga, Part 2 is also a fitting beginning to something new for Robert Pattinson. After a few years of relative obscurity, the actor has resurfaced as one of Hollywood’s hotter leading men and is about to lead the way in a renaissance of sorts. It would not be surprising if, in the coming years, fans refer to 2016 as the “Year of Robert Pattinson.”
Though the actor has maintained a relatively low profile since 2012’s Dirty Weekend, starring alongside Kristen Stewart and Mila Kunis, Robert Pattinson has been diligently working on resurrecting his acting career. He started by taking on supporting roles in a few minor and independent films, most notably 2015’s The Lost City, which is currently in theaters. Then, in 2016, he finally made the transition to leading man and played the role of Bruce Wayne in David Leitch’s upcoming Batman vs. Superman. In this movie, which is based on the DC Comics character, Bruce Wayne inherits his father’s (Harvey Nichols) fortune and devotes himself to combating crime and corruption as Batman. The movie also stars Ben Affleck as the titular character. Though it has yet to be released, Batman vs. Superman is set to hit theaters on March 16, 2017.
After nearly two decades in the industry, it is safe to say that Robert Pattinson has established himself as an actor to be reckoned with. He is both revered and beloved by the Hollywood community for his contributions to cinema history with his portrayal of Edward Cullen and earned a permanent place in movie history as a result. It should come as no surprise, then, that the search for a suitable and appropriate movie to celebrate his talents finally paid off. Though he has never openly acknowledged it, it is apparent that Robert Pattinson would prefer to be remembered for his acting than for his brief dalliance with Kristen Stewart. For those who love Edward Cullen, there will be plenty to celebrate in 2017 and beyond.