We’re nearing the end of June and the wait for the new Twilight movie is nearly over. Filming began on May 19 and was completed this past week. The movie is due out in theaters on September 9th. The trailers looked amazing and our interest in the film was restored after the first one. Since then we’ve been waiting with bated breath to see the full movie. We’re finally close to getting our wish, but at the risk of sounding redundant, let me just say that this is certainly not a direct sequel to Twilight. No, this is more like an extended holiday weekend for fans of the Twilight saga. At least that’s how I see it. Who knows, maybe I’m just being overly optimistic. Let’s just say that this is a good opportunity to catch up on the saga and see how the story line plays out. It will also be our first real glimpse of what the future of the Twilight franchise holds. Here’s a little bit about what we know so far:
A New Era For The Twilight Franchise
There’s no questioning that Twilight was an important moment in cinematic history. It was the first time that a movie based on a young adult novel became a blockbuster and helped to usher in a new era for the genre. It spawned numerous successful movie and album spinoffs, and even inspired a Broadway play. Most importantly, it gave birth to the MTV generation and the rise of the tween/teen market as we know it today. It’s hard to put into words everything that Twilight did for the film industry and for fans of the saga. This is truly an iconic piece of cinema, and we’re eagerly waiting to see how Peter Jackson’s continued involvement will further shape the future of the franchise.
A New Actor In The Lead Role
It’s no secret that we’ve been craving for more Twilights ever since the last one was released in 2012. I mean, it’s been four years since then, which is an eternity in the world of cinema. It was obvious that the series would soon come to an end, as the original Twilight cast was starting to wind down their careers and schedules became more difficult to manage. We knew that Robert Pattinson, whom the saga was originally based on, wouldn’t be returning as Edward Cullen for a while, and it was only a matter of time before we were going to need a new protagonist. Thankfully, the Gods of filmmaking were listening and granted us our prayers. On May 19, 2017 we were blessed with the arrival of the next Twilight: Pattinson’s highly anticipated solo debut film, Good Time. It was an immediate hit with audiences, earning $26.9 million USD in its first weekend, and currently holds a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It also became the highest grossing debut of all time for an actor’s first movie (not counting Disney and Pixar films). In other words, it was a home run! I don’t know about you, but I’m already feeling pretty confident about the upcoming Twilight movie. It might even top its predecessors!
A Brand New Look
When Twilight was first announced, we were promised that it was going to be a “reinvention” of the series. In other words, we were going to see a new look and feel overall. Well, it definitely meets the eye with its neon-lit shots of San Francisco and its overall youthful energy. As someone who has been eagerly anticipating the return of the series for years, I have to say that this new take on Twilight is exactly what I wanted to see. The production design is fresh and vibrant, and it feels like we’ve been transported to the City by the Bay for the entire duration of the movie. It successfully merged the fun, festive atmosphere of college life with that of the big city — a combination that I think we can all get on board with.
A Timeless Storyline
Aside from the aesthetics, I was most eager to see how the story line would play out. It always feels good when a story line remains consistent from one film to the next. Sometimes it can feel like there’s too much going on and the story becomes convoluted. That’s definitely not the case with Twilight. The narrative remains pretty much intact from one movie to the next, and it still has the ability to surprise and delight. There are several twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, and I’m sure that many of you didn’t see either. It’s a credit to the writers and director, as each new installment somehow manages to feel unique while still retaining the feel of the entire saga. This is definitely a story that will be told again and again.
A Familiar Setting
It’s funny how certain stories resonate with audiences long after they’ve been told. I can’t imagine that Twilight will ever be out of print, and I’m sure that many people can still recite the entire saga from memory. I saw several of my friends and family members while watching the movie, and it was clear that they were reliving parts of the story as if they were watching it for the first time. It’s funny how something so small can have such a profound effect on so many people. Maybe that’s what kept Twilight alive for so long — the connection that audiences felt to the characters and the story. Whatever the case may be, it was evident that many people still had fond memories of this unique piece of cinema. It’s also evident that they’re still just as excited to see it as ever. When it comes to the future of the Twilight franchise, it’s clear that Peter Jackson’s involvement sparked a new era. At last we have something to look forward to, and it’s going to be worth the wait!