Questions
Who directed the first Twilight movie and when did it come out?
Catherine Hardwicke directed Twilight, which was released in the US on November 21, 2008. It was based on Stephenie Meyer’s 2005 novel.
Who starred as Bella, Edward, and Jacob?
Kristen Stewart played Bella Swan, Robert Pattinson played Edward Cullen, and Taylor Lautner played Jacob Black.
Where did Stephenie Meyer get the idea for Twilight?
Meyer has said the story came to her in a dream on June 2, 2003, about a human girl who loved a vampire who loved her but still wanted her blood. She reportedly finished the whole manuscript in about three months.
Was Twilight always the title?
No. The original title was Forks, after the small Washington town where the story is set, and the publisher requested the change to Twilight.
Did Twilight get rejected before it was published?
Reportedly Meyer sent query letters to 15 literary agents and faced nine rejections and five non-responses before Jodi Reamer at Writers House took her on. Little, Brown eventually paid $750,000 for a three-book deal.
How did Robert Pattinson’s audition go?
Reportedly he auditioned at director Hardwicke’s home, kissed Kristen Stewart during a scene on her bed, and fell off it, but still landed the role. Hardwicke reportedly had him swear to focus since Stewart was 17.
Which other actors were up for the roles?
Lily Collins and Jennifer Lawrence were among those who screen-tested for Bella. The final four candidates for Edward were Jackson Rathbone, Shiloh Fernandez, Ben Barnes, and Pattinson.
Where was the movie filmed?
Filming took place mainly in Portland, Oregon, with Kalama High School and Leodis V. McDaniel High School standing in for Forks High School. The real Forks High School was not used.
How did the vampires get that pale look and golden eyes?
The vampire actors reportedly avoided sunlight to stay pale, and they wore golden contact lenses for the vegetarian vampires and black ones for the hungry vampires. Cast members also studied big cat movements for an elegant physicality.
Is it true an early script was totally different from the book?
Yes. Before Summit Entertainment acquired the rights, an MTV Films version made Bella a long-distance runner who used shotguns against vampires and rode a jet ski while being chased by the FBI. Meyer said it had nothing to do with the book.
Does Stephenie Meyer appear in the film?
Yes. Meyer visited the set three times and has a brief cameo in the movie.
How well did Twilight do at the box office?
Made on a budget of about $37 million, it grossed over $412 million worldwide. On home video it sold about 3 million units on its first day and became the most purchased DVD of 2009.
What was on the soundtrack?
Carter Burwell composed the score, and the soundtrack debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Meyer helped pick songs, including bands she listened to while writing such as Muse and Linkin Park.
How many Twilight movies are there?
Five in total. Twilight was followed by New Moon (2009), Eclipse (2010), Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011), and Breaking Dawn Part 2 (2012).
How old is Edward Cullen supposed to be?
In the novel Edward is a 103-year-old vampire frozen in his 17-year-old body, having been transformed in 1918 during the Spanish flu.
