We have an exclusive peek at the cover of Vanity Fair’s May edition. As you’ll soon find out, things are going to be very different indeed for our favorite vampire family. This time around, it’s all about growth and change.
A Changed Man
If you’re unfamiliar, Robert Pattinson has a famous history with Vanity Fair. Back in April 2009, the magazine did a cover story on the then-21-year-old and launched what would become an annual tradition. Every other April since, Vanity Fair and Pattinson have released a cover on the eve of the annual Twilight film’s premiere. We were lucky enough to see part of that tradition last year with the cover story on Pattinson’s wedding to long-time girlfriend and fellow actress Kristen Stewart. As you’ll see on the cover of this year’s edition, things are going to be very different indeed. So let’s take a look…
A Family Reunion
This year’s edition marks the 10th anniversary of Vanity Fair’s “Twilight” cover. To celebrate, the magazine is going back to basics with a nostalgic look at the early days of Robsten. We’re going to skip over the awkward and slightly embarrassing teenage years and dive right into what has become one of Hollywood’s most iconic on-set romances. We’re going to take you back to early April 2006 when Rob Pattinson was still trying to figure out what kind of actor he wanted to be.
The cover story chronicles the beginning of “Breaking Dawn” — the epic saga that would go on to become one of the biggest films of all time. Just like the twilight films, “Breaking Dawn” is the tale of Bella and Edward’s quest to have children. But whereas Twilight focused mainly on their struggle to have fun adventures and not give too much thought to procreation, “Breaking Dawn” was a very different story. From the very beginning, the script clearly states that Bella is suffering from infertility and is worried about passing on her “vampire gene” to her newborn child. It was a very naturalistic and relatable story for the times.
If a vampire movie isn’t your thing, you’re in luck because “Breaking Dawn” was one of the first mainstream movies to offer a more realistic take on vampires. The cinematography and sound design were also first-class. This was truly the dawn of the age of realistic vampire movies.
A Different Kind of Family
Over the years, the “Twilight” franchise has become bigger and more popular than ever. The latest installment, “Breaking Dawn Part 2,” broke several box-office records upon its release earlier this year and became the biggest film of the year. It also spawned the highly-anticipated spinoff, “Eclipse,” which arrived in theaters earlier this month. So it’s no wonder that Vanity Fair is wanting to go back to the beginning with a bang—literally. By pulling back the curtain on Robsten’s early days, they’re offering fans a fascinating glimpse at how this all started and what made the relationship between Edward and Bella so special. It wasn’t simply the fact that they fell in love while playing a game of pretend. There was a lot more going on beneath the surface.
A Darker Twist
“Breaking Dawn” was one of the first films from dusk till dawn, which is fitting because the story centers around the twilight hours. This was an attempt to represent the struggle between the vampire and human worlds as accurately as possible with as many practical effects as possible. One of the biggest changes in “Breaking Dawn” compared to the previous films is the complete darkness featured in many scenes. The camera wasn’t simply there to document the acting, it was an active participant—which made for some very interesting and challenging scenarios. The special effects team had to figure out ways to make the most out of what little light was around and develop techniques for shooting in low-light conditions. What’s more is the filmmakers went above and beyond by utilizing practical effects such as replacing the windows in the Carver house with actual glass and using black electrical tape to cover over the entire interior of the mansion to maintain a gloomy atmosphere.
Another significant change is that the script became much more realistic, detailing Bella’s struggle to accept her fate as an unfit mother. In previous installments, Bella had always been described as “giddy” and “light-hearted”—even when she’s lamenting the fact that she’s going to die and turn into a vampire. “Breaking Dawn” is full of moments like this, where Bella’s inner monologue is raw and unfiltered.
A Dazzling Performance
In order to accept her role as a vampire, Renee Zellweger had to undergo a full transformation. The famously beautiful actress gained 50 pounds for her role as the aged Countess Orlovsky and even dyed her hair a vibrant shade of orange. Her devotion to the role is fully visible in every scene. Renee also had to learn to walk and talk like a vampire. The result is nothing short of spectacular. Renee brings an authentic, dazzling performance to the role that is perfectly suited for today’s audiences.
A More Sophisticated Feeling
Speaking of performances, let’s not forget about the young men who play Edward and Bella’s sons, Jacob and Renesmee. The very talented Boyd Holbrook and Tom Hardy put in some serious training for their roles as the fierce yet brooding Edward and the charming yet terrifying Jacob. The stunts they had to perform were beyond what most people could handle, let alone 10-year-olds. But their acting coach, Michael Shapiro, had a plan and guided them through the stunt-worthy portions of the script. He knew that this was the kind of film that would thrill viewers and offer them a unique and immersive experience. And boy, did he ever deliver. It was the perfect storm between the two youngest members of the “Twilight” cast and their commitment to bringing the charm and intensity of adolescence to life on screen.
A Timeless Theme
While many contemporary films tackle the theme of family and infidelity—most notably in the form of adultery—“Breaking Dawn” presents a more timeless theme, loss. The human world has lost something irreplaceable and the vampires are searching for a way to replenish their kind. In the end, it’s all about family. Without the support of their loved ones, both human and vampire alike would be lost. There are no survivors in “Breaking Dawn.”
Vanity Fair’s “Twilight” anniversary issue hits shelves on April 19th. In the meantime, you can subscribe to Vanity Fair’s print edition here or follow them on Twitter @VanityFair and Instagram @vanityfair.