A recent interview with the star has left queer fans hoping for a sapphic spin on the franchise
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT
The first film in The Twilight Saga came out in 2008. Eighteen years later (yes, that’s right, Twilight is now officially old enough to drink in the UK) it is still beloved by many fans and “TwiHards” around the world. Despite not featuring any openly LGBTQIA+ characters, the franchise has garnered a large LGBTQIA+ fanbase. Last year, bisexual actor Kristen Stewart, who played the show’s main protagonist Bella Swan, addressed the queer undertones in the films during her Variety cover interview.
In the interview, KStew reflected on how it wasn’t until she was living her life authentically that she started to recognise the queer undertones present in the paranormal series. “I can only see it now,” she told the publication. “I don’t think it necessarily started off that way, but I also think that the fact that I was there at all, it was percolating. It’s such a gay movie. I mean, Jesus Christ, Taylor [Lautner] and Rob[ert Pattinson] and me, and it’s so hidden and not OK. I mean, a Mormon woman wrote this book. It’s all about oppression, about wanting what’s going to destroy you. That’s a very Gothic, gay inclination that I love.”
And now another interview with the actor and director is causing quite the stir among queer Twilight fans. The star spoke to Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet of the Palm Springs International Film Festival about her feature directorial debut The Chronology Of Water. The film, which is coming to UK theatres on 6 February, has seen Kristen receive much praise and recognition as an exciting director to watch.
The reporter ended the interview by asking if she’d like to remake any of her projects as a filmmaker, and went on to suggest The Twilight Saga as a starting point.
“It’s funny, I was talking to one of my friends about that movie because it was on TV a lot over the holidays. I was like, ‘How is that ageing?’ Because they watch it every year on Christmas,” Kristen responded.
“Look, I love what Catherine [Hardwicke, Twilight director] did. I love what Chris [Weitz, The Twilight Saga: New Moon director] did. I love what all of the directors did with the movies… But they were so themselves and weird and squirrely and just so present in that time and they didn’t really know what they were yet before they blew up,” she added.
“Imagine if we had like a huge budget and a bunch of love and support? I would love to readapt. Yeah, sure. I’ll do the remake. I’m doing it. I’m committed,” she said.
Fans of the franchise have taken to social media to express their reactions to K Stew’s seemingly tongue-in-cheek response. Reactions are particularly excited from those who have historically shipped Bella with Edward Cullen’s sister, Alice. For those who have never immersed themselves in the wild world of Twilight, Bella finds herself in a love triangle with vampire Edward and werewolf Jacob Black.
Since The Twilight Saga’s end, Kristen has had a very successful and diverse career. Her acting resume includes: receiving critical acclaim for her performances in a number of low-budget indie films, receiving an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Princess Diana in Spencer and starring alongside Katy O’Brian in the romantic thriller Love Lies Bleeding. And trust me, that’s just naming a few highlights.
When it comes to her work behind the camera, she’s written, produced and directed short films and music videos for artists like boygenius and CHVRCHES. She’ll also be a writer and producer for the stoner comedy The Wrong Girls, directed by her wife, Dylan Meyer.
While I would love to see a Twilight reboot with Kristen in the director’s chair, I’m sure that whatever she gets up to next is sure to make an impact.
You can watch the trailer for The Chronology Of Water below
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