As a warning the number of rhetorical questions asked by this editorial may be stunningly oppressive. But please bare with us, there is a constructive point for engaging in this exercise. Still answers to these questions may only be realized outside of this article. Someone may receive an answer in the comment section or maybe elsewhere. Unfortunately, either way it will require your continued attention and definitely require your patience.
WHEN WILL THE TWILIGHT SERIES END? You may be asking a number of questions?
- What is “Twilight?”
- What is the “series?”
- What does “series end” mean?
An attempt will be made to answer all of these questions so that we can move forward with the point of this article.
The free dictionary.com claims this is the conventional definition for the actual word “Twilight”:
“The diffused light from the sky during the early evening or early morning when the sun is below the horizon and its light is refracted by the earth’s atmosphere. [1]
Referring to the young adult book series, Wikipedia defines “Twilight” this way.
“Twilight is a series of four vampire-themed fantasy romance novels by American author Stephenie Meyer. It charts a period in the life of Isabella “Bella” Swan, a teenage girl who moves to Forks, Washington, and falls in love with a 104-year-old vampire named Edward Cullen [2].”
No Twi-hards, even Stephanie Meyer defines the twilight series as only having 4 books, “The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner” does not count [3]. Referring to the movies, (that were an expression of the literature series), there were five movies in the same series. Though this is not an answer to the original question; they made a lot of money.
What does “series end” mean? As stated before the series stopped with the 4 or 5 episode of either the book or movie. Though there has been some discussion of the series continuing I agree with the rejection of acting cast members. Without efforts that would detract from the story; I agree it would be difficult to claim that vampire playing cast members were not aging.
Why is it that we continue to see so many “Twilight” influenced movies in theaters? Why ask that question; the real question of this editorial? Because maybe the value of the Twilight phenomenon should impact how we see or saw the series or franchise. Don’t we need to understand the value of the series, to understand whether it should (in anyway) continue?
What am I calling a “Twilight” influenced movie?
To me, a “Twilight” influenced movie might be any movie that shares characteristics with the “Twilight” series. Similar characteristics might include being written by Stephanie Meyers. Having a strong teenage lead protagonist who is female. Having the book deal with or express popular occult themes that may challenge some conservative Christian beliefs. Having the book feature or speak to a very young audience from Tweens to young twenty something adults, (despite the fact that many much older women were diehard fans as well).
THE HOST:
“The Host” actually was another Stephanie Meyer novel with a strong female teenage lead character. Genre-wise more sci-fi than traditional horror, the book never-the-less retains some similar likeness to “Twilight.” “The Host” follows the main protagonist as she attempts to win back control of her body from an alien body snatcher. Only earning $26,627,201 we may not have to endure seeing a sequel.
WARM BODIES:
“Warm Bodies” seems like it could easily be a candidate for being a “Twilight” influenced movie. Discussed on this sight before director Jonathan Levine’s Zombie flick was even produced by Summit Entertainment. The lead character was even named “R.” Which is only strange if you don’t realize “R” is the first letter of Robert Pattinson. He is the actor who played Edward Cullen in the “Twilight” film series. Though there are no plans to produce a sequel movie, Isaac Marion has produced a prequel “The New Hunger” and the sequel to the original book will be published.
Sure “Twilight” made a lot of money, but was that it’s only value? How should we think about that set of movies? What did we gain or what did we lose because of them. Was there any redeeming value to those movies?
Articles for This Week
Monday-Toss-Up-By Ozzie
Tuesday-Discussion on Monday’s article
Wednesday-Final Article on our 5 week series on the Starsucker Documentary-By Open Book
Thursday-Discussion on Wednesday’s article.
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Essential references:
[1] http://www.thefreedictionary.com/twilight
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight_(series)
[3] http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilightseries.html
[4] http://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/scifi/author-isaac-marion-talks-warm-bodies-sequel.html
comicreleaf
comicrelief2
Comic Relief
parisienne
littlebells
Lurker
ozzie20
Open Book
LIH
linkedinhollywood.com 
OB,
Awesome article. I don’t think the Twilight influenced films will end as long as there is a demand for it.
Thanks Paris! But I can’t take credit it was CR who wrote this article. Still having technical problems and had to post the article under my Avatar. Sorry! for the confusion.
Paris,
I’ve heard you say some pretty controversial things in the past about the series. Coming from an actress, that was hardly a comprehensive appraisal of a film series. Are you going to supply more than that, or were you celebrating meak and mild Sunday when you made that comment?
It’s hard to believe you don’t have more to say.
CR!
These Twilight inspired films have they picked up a fanboy following? How are they being received in the comic book community?
OB,
Tough question, thanks for asking 🙂
Adults and some of the younger audience understand the forces that make movies and books popular, the others are more concerned with fitting in. The responses from party liners and posers are pretty predictable.
Many of which had to have seen the “Hunger Games.” I guess we should expect for them to see the sequel(s) as well. Certainly you saw a little “Bella Swan” action in those movies also.
Are you going to answer my question? I placed a trailer up top, why do we continue to see these (to my eyes) obviously similar movies. Are you going to bestow an evaluation upon us?
Dear Twilight,
Snoooooooooooooooooooooooze…
Me
Oh come now, LB, you know you secretly love Edward and Bella more than Tatiana and Shura. LOL!
Paris-
I’m scared of u! This statement is like hitting a beehive.
Guuurrrrrlllll! T & S are in a completely different universe with my L-O-V-E! 🙂
LB,
Is that right? I don’t mean to claim Twilight has had an interesting effect on hollywood but many of us have a hard time avoiding the film. One more time LB, what do you REALLY think about the set of film’s cinema legacy?
LB,
By the way….
1. How many of those Twilight movies did you actually see?
2. Eventually there will be “Twilight tribute” shows at local movie theatres and film conferences. Would you take your daughter to one?
3. Did you ever see any of Robert Pattinson’s other movies “Water for Elephants,” “Bel Ami” or “Cosmopolis”
4. Didn’t you see “Snow White and the Huntsman?”
5. what did you think of Stephenie Meyer’s host sound track?
6. Did you see actress Anna Kendrick in “Up in the Air?” Where did you first see her?
7. How likely are you to go see Taylor lautner’s “Incarceron,” or did you see “Abduction” a few years back?
8. Are you likely to see Catherine Hardwicke’s new movie “Maximum Ride?”
9. Speaking of actor Robert Pattinson, do you plan to see “The Rover,” “Queen of the Desert,” “Mission: Blacklist,” “Hold on to Me,” or “Map to the Stars.”
10. Don’t you have an event on PTSS that might significantly pertain one of the Twilight cast members?
11. Speaking of actor Robert Pattinson, do you plan to see “The Rover,” “Queen of the Desert,” “Mission: Blacklist,” “Hold on to Me,” or “Map to the Stars.”
12. Would you ever consider seeing Kellan lutz as Hercules?
13. What did you think of Anna Kendrick’s singing in “Pitch Perfect?”
14. Would you see Peter Facinelli’s “Gallows Hill.”
15. Since there appears to be no cast, do you think Kristin Stewart’s Camp X-Ray will ever get made?
16. Do you think Pattinson should be the new face of Dior?
17. Making an astounding $192,769,854 at the box office, with an adapted book from a female author, a script from a female screen writer, shot by a female director, and featuring a lead actress, don’t you think Twilight deserves some sort of award of distinction?
18. Have you seen any of Cam Gigandet’s movies post twilight?
19. Have you seen any of Ashley Greene’s movies post twilight?
20. How do you think Twilight will impact Bill Condon’s next movie “the Fifth estate?”
Ok, ok, is this your turn for 20 questions? hahaha!!! 🙂 Fair enough.
1. Unfortunately 4, but only 3 in theaters. Time I will never ever retrieve.
2. That sounds awful and no. She’s only 5, so hopefully by the time she’s a “tween” Twilight will be as common as bell bottoms.
3. Yes, yes, and yes. WFE was my favorite.
4. Heeeelllllll NO!!!!
5. Honestly, I haven’t listened to it. Didn’t see it either. I saw the trailer and that was enough. Also, Paris’s summary and opinion of the book cemented my decision not to see it. I value her opinion and saved myself $20.
6. No and Twilight.
7. No and that applies to the rest of the cast, minus RP.
8. NO!
9. Yes
10. YEEESSSS!!!!! Mission Blacklist with RP. I am in the middle of a great opportunity for our site, but until things are confirmed, I’m keeing it on the DL. If all goes well, I think our readers will be very pleased!
Will be back to answer the rest.
I definitely want to hear the rest of your answers, but you sound like you are ONLY a Robert Pattinson fan. More than fair enough your “fan club” seems to get larger everyday. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being discerning.
What did you like about “Water for Elephants?”
My favorite was Cosmopolis.
I have seen many of the other cast act in different films and let’s just say, I really feel Rob is the only one who has tremendous potential. Through no fault of their own, I’m not impressed enough by the other actors. It’s not because I am a Rob fan. I am a fan of great talent. he is the only one…oh wait, no, I do like Anna kendrick, but I don’t include her in the Twilight crapsaga because I feel she is better than it…those two are the only one’s who have great potential.
having read the book, I feel Rob and the rest of the cast/production crew really brought it to life and captured the essence of the characters. For Rob, I felt he had many non-speaking moments that spoke volumes. His expressions and gestures were very engaging and emotional for me.
I think you might be surprised if you gave Miss Kendrick another look. Of the female talent, she really did not have that many lines in “Twilight” series. I’ll let IMDb do the rest.
“For her role as “Dinah” in “High Society” on Broadway, Anna Kendrick was nominated for a Tony Award (second youngest ever), a Drama Desk Award, and a Fany Award (best actress featured in a musical). Her spectacular performance landed her the Drama League and Theatre World Award. She was a lead performer with Cabaret’s Kit Kit Club at “Carnegie Hall Live.”
I still cannot tell whether she won or not but she was nominated for an award for “Up in the Air.”
She might have had the lead in “Twilight” if she had more experience.
No, I do like Anna. Sorry, the rest of the cast totally eclipsed here in my mind while answering the questions. She is great and very talented. I would like to see her take on more challenging roles, but i know she is just getting started, so i will give her time. 🙂
Yeah! I like Anna K. also. What kind of roles would u like to see her play?
I think you’re helping me prove, that despite many of it’s excesses, “Twilight had a much greater cultural impact than most people want to give it credit for.
“Twilight had a much greater cultural impact than most people want to give it credit for.”
Sad, but true.
I would love to laugh, but I don’t think I can.
I don’t think the content was particularly redeemable. I was still curious what others thought of the overall value of the whole enterprise.
If it was solely a vehicle to introduce the world to the talents of Robert Pattinson and Anna Kendrick, so-be-it. I guess the knock offs will disappear eventually.
I actually do like Rachelle LaFevre who is now starring in CBS’s Under the Dome (which I am totally pimping out right now because I loved the book). She was fired after the first Twilight, but it worked out for her in the end, wouldn’t you agree?
I’m going to call a time out with u two. Hahaha! Great Q&A though! Love it!
Personally, I don’t feel that continuing any type of Twilight copying is going to help anything. The studios aren’t allowing the dysfunction to die then again neither are the fans. I think it would allow everyone to move on from the dysfunction of the last 5 years if the studios weren’t trying to copy the formula.
Twilight was a flash in the pan, the momentum and fandimonium will never be recaptured.
Oh, now that sounds more like it.
Ozzie,
Your a fantasy fan. Do you draw any distinction between movies influenced by “Twilight” and “Harry Potter”?
Gosh! Ozzie and I missed the party last night. I will have to come back and comment. Great, great discussion.
Clearing my throat as I confidently step up to the microphone. Hahaha! No, seriously.
CR! I’m glad u brought this topic up. This is what I was talking about a few days ago when I said actors must have their own philosophy when taking on a role. James Gandolfini talks about it briefly on The Actors Studio in Ozzie’s latest article (that I hope everyone has a chance to read). Anyway, IMO for “Twilight” the majority of the subject matter was pretty horrible and toxic. Yet, what resonated with audiences amongst all the bad dialogue, wooden lead actress (who thought Bella BAD ASS Swan start’s out as a vampire), storytelling, directing and CGI wolves, is what Robert Pattinson brought to the role of Edward. I remember when “New Moon” first came out. Rob wasn’t doing much promotion and instead Kristen Stewart & Taylor Lautner took over. Needless to say, fans revolted and it seemed Rob was added as an after thought to keep fans happy. Now one might think. Oh! The fans like to see the three of them together? No! In fact on the BD2 promo tour Rob showed up by himself and fans never complained. So the reason I stay glued to what he’s doing now? Because if he could make toxic waste look good (which has started all these knock off/Frankenstein films) imagine what he could do with some good material in front of him? I’m done!
WORD!