When Robert Pattinson first sank his teeth into the role of Edward Cullen in Twilight, the world couldn’t get enough of him. Of course, we can’t blame them—who wouldn’t be swayed by a sparkly vampire who ended up winning over Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart)?
The acclaimed franchise didn’t just shoot Pattinson and his then-girlfriend Kristen Stewart to Hollywood stardom; it also cooked up the ‘Robsten’ phenomenon, serving up endless laughs and drama. Their off-screen drama was arguably as intense as their on-screen chemistry.
But while fans were busy swooning, Pattinson himself was far from starry-eyed about the cultural juggernaut. Since the franchise’s debut in 2008, the actor has been anything but a cheerleader for his vampiric alter ego, consistently expressing his distaste for both the role and the plotlines derived from Stephenie Meyer’s novels.
He has been a vocal critic, describing the vampire saga as “strange” and “weird,” and openly questioning the logic behind its fantastical narrative.
Twilight: Robert Pattinson’s Surprising Opinions About Stephanie Meyer
The Twilight Saga, a pop culture juggernaut based on Stephenie Meyer’s novels, had everyone caught in its spell. This film series—Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn Part I, and Breaking Dawn Part II—danced its way into the hearts of millions from 2008 to 2012.
At its center is Bella Swan, an otherwise ordinary girl played by Kristen Stewart, who becomes the apple of the eye of Edward Cullen, the brooding vampire portrayed by Robert Pattinson. As Bella discovers Edward’s true nature, their love story unravels amidst a backdrop of vampire rivalries.
And let’s not overlook Jacob (Taylor Lautner), the werewolf with a heart set on poaching Bella from Edward’s clutches.
In one of his prior interviews during the first film’s release, Pattinson didn’t mince words about his take on Meyer’s books and their reception. He described the novels as a window into Meyer’s own fantasy world, saying (via YouTube):
When I read it, I was convinced that Stephenie was convinced that she was Bella. It was like it was a book that wasn’t supposed to be published, like reading her — her sort of s*xual fantasy.
Pattinson’s comments painted a picture of Meyer as a dreamer who, after a vivid vision, decided to pen her fantasies into a book, much to his bewilderment. The actor further mused:
Especially when she says that it was based on a dream, and it’s like, ‘Oh, then I had a dream about this really sexy guy’, and she just writes this book about it. I was just convinced that this woman is mad, she’s completely mad, and she’s in love with her own fictional creation.
Determined to shed his glittery vampire persona and escape the heartthrob stereotype, Pattinson threw himself into a string of indie gems. He embraced gritty roles in films like the Safdie Brothers’ Good Time (2017) and Robert Eggers’ eerie The Lighthouse (2019), proving his acting knack and earning critical acclaim.
What Else Has Robert Pattinson Said About the Twilight Saga?
Robert Pattinson’s candid take on The Twilight Saga—the franchise that rocketed him and his former girlfriend Kristen Stewart to Hollywood’s A-list—adds a deliciously ironic twist to this whole story. By 2019, reflecting on the romance fantasy films with a wry smile, the Batman star told Variety:
It’s a weird story, Twilight. It’s not just like – it’s strange how people responded a lot to it.
He contrasted the romantic charm of The Notebook with the more bizarre elements of Twilight, saying:
The Notebook’ is very sweet and heartbreaking, but ‘Twilight’ is about this guy, and he finds the one girl he wants to be with, and he also wants to eat her.
In 2010, the parody film Vampires Suck, starring Jenn Proske, Matt Lanter, and Chris Riggi, took a humorous jab at the Twilight franchise.
Even though Pattinson’s disdain for the Twilight series might paint him as the grumpy old vampire on the block, his candid critiques of the franchise keep fans and critics alike howling with laughter and endlessly intrigued.
Twilight is currently streaming on Hulu.
