As many readers will remember, actor Robert Pattinson, who portrayed Cedric Diggory in “Goblet of Fire,” has been cast in the role of Edward Cullen in the upcoming film version of Stephenie Meyer’s novel, “Twilight.” A number of news reports have appeared online recently featuring Mr. Pattinson along with an interview with Ms. Meyer, who talks of the comparisons made with Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling. We now have a few news updates regarding all of this as follows:
First, the teaser trailer for “Twilight” was released earlier in the week, showing Robert Pattinson as Edward sweeping Bella off her feet in the sixty-second spot. You can view Robert and actress Kristen Stewart, who portrays Bella Swan in the “Twilight” film, in the trailer right here. A number of screencaps from the trailer are also available and can be found in our Image Galleries. In addition, Robert can be seen in a new official picture of the Twilight cast as well as the first official poster from the film in our galleries as well.
Next, actors Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart gave an interview with MTV during which the Harry Potter novels were briefly discussed. Once again, the comparison between the Twilight series and Harry Potter was made, to which Mr. Pattinson replied:
“[The difference is that each are] using different metaphors for things. The strange thing about this is it’s so deeply entwined with sexuality, much more so than “Harry Potter,” as virtually all vampire things are — mainly because it’s a love story. “Harry Potter” isn’t really a love story, so a lot of the metaphorical stuff [in “Twilight”] is about teen lust…”
Finally, Time Magazine has an extended profile of author Stephenie Meyer and her “Twilight” series containing some discussion and comparisons between her and J. K. Rowling. In the article, Ms. Meyer notes her feeling that ‘her success is a direct result of the way Rowling changed the book industry…’ The profile goes on to say:
’...children are now willing to read 500-page novels, and adults are now willing to read books written for children. But as artists, they couldn’t be more different. Rowling pieces her books together meticulously, detail by detail. Meyer floods the page like a severed artery. She never uses a sentence when she can use a whole paragraph. Her books are big (500-plus pages) but not dense—they have a pillowy quality distinctly reminiscent of Internet fan fiction. (Which she’ll readily grant: “I don’t think I’m a writer; I think I’m a storyteller,” Meyer says. “The words aren’t always perfect.”)’
Readers can see Robert Pattinson in this new project when “Twilight” is released in theaters December 12, 2008. The first three novels in the Twilight series are available for purchase in our own Cauldron Shop.
I don’t know, Lilpotterfan. I saw the teaser trailer for Twilight, and it looked pretty lame to me. The actress who plays Bella seemed really wooden. And from what I could hear of it, Robert Pattinson’s American accent was marginal; he needs to work some more with his dialect coach, or accent coach, or whatever they call it. On the bright side, though, it does seem as though they’ve kept as close to canon as possible.
As for the books, I thought they were okay. The comparison of Meyer’s writing to fanfic is pretty spot-on. I don’t think the books are horrible, but they definitely aren’t worthy of all the hype, and they’re not even in the same league as the HP books.
So unless reading three books about how hot a vampire is is your thing, pick up the new Percy Jackson & the Olympians books instead.
YES! I LOVE “Percy Jackson” and think most HP fans would as well. I really wish more people would check it out. I’m about 2/3 through the fourth book right now. It’s so awesome, and besides what could be cooler than modernized Greek Myth?
I don’t think “Twilight” has any substance. It’s basically Anne Rice for the teen set, and the dialogue is just as bad. It sort of boggles me that people will complain about how Jo writes romance and then love a book with dialogue passages like this:
“Sleep, my Bella. Dream happy dreams. You are the only one who has ever touched my heart. It will always be yours. Sleep, my only love.”
’’Harry Potter ’s not a love story”,WHAT??? I don’t know why he would think that , unless he thinks the only kind of love there is is about sex.Of course it is a love story,There are all kinds of LOVE stories and it is one kind.I think Mr.Pattinson should think about what he is talking about before he speaks,or maybe just read
If I were Pattinson and some reporter sidled up to me asking “How does Twilight compare to Harry Potter?” I would just say “No comment.” That is one question that it is a no-win to answer, no matter what you say.
I just happened to pass by this thread through another site I was on, and aren’t you all being a tad harsh? It’s clear that everyone here loves HP, as this is a HP fan site, but the Twilight series is also a very good series to read.
I don’t think they should be compared at all. They are different genres, overall. I /hate/ it when people compare the two book series. They are both amazing in their own ways.
But, I still think you’re all being a bit harsh. And all you people out there ‘lol’ing at her being compared to fanfiction – some fan fiction is VERY well written. Give her some credit. Obviously she’s a good writer if her books have attracted this much attention. I personally happen to love them. It’s a matter of taste, I suppose. But I don’t belive you should be bashing her writing skills, just because it’s not your style.
I agree the Twlight series is terrific, yet so very different from HP. Might as well read them to know what all the fuss is about, and there will be lots more press to come. It has been great fun following the progress of making of the Twilight movie on the internet, just as it is fun hearing news about the Potter films. Oh, and I’m looking forward to seeing Robert as Edward, and Kristen as Bella!
lol Well, vampire romance is hot but the third book is just where I got really tired of it and just BORED!; and in the 2nd book I really started to despise the character Jacob Black (because he was NOT EDWARD). It’s nice to read and imagine you’re Bella with Edward, but otherwise this may be a better movie than book! Harry Potter really beats it out (and it saddens me when people say they think it’s better than Potter; especially fans of Harry in the first place!).
Bill is still possibly the hottest guy in my mind (minus the face-eating from Greyback, oh gosh that was horrible I’m sorry lol..). Sirius is always pretty sexy in my mind too.
Honestly, I will never have such an emotional connection as I do to the HP characters (I’ve read the books multiple times aloud to my parents to help with my acting too so it’s really an involved process for me). Twilight has no development, though it’s a good beach read. :)
I agree as well with many of you that Twilight is not at the quality of HP, but I also have respect for Stephanie Meyers work. I myself am addicted to the series and I actually really like the development of her characters. It is worth a read if you have never done so, even if it’s just to give backing to your dislike. Because really, as we’ve all learned, you shouldn’t be negative toward anything you don’t have experience with. We’ve seen that enough with HP. But, then again, it’s not for everyone. I suggest try out the first book, see what you think. If you don’t like it, move on. It’s a really quick read so not much time will have been wasted. And thank you Leaky, for the news update. I actually really appreciate the posts on current and former HP actors. It helps the lulls between HP info.
Twilight is okay… if you like reading cliche, predictable love stories with oh-so-mysteriously typical characters (sorry I have a friend who has the same personality as Edward and it’s such a joke). Yes, I read the first two and I’ll probably read the third and fourth eventually, because they are page-turners, and that’s great. But I don’t think they warrant the kind of attention that they’ve been getting. Then again, I forget that many Harry Potter fans are unconcerned with literary merit.
Erica: Being popular doesn’t make you a good writer, simply put. I’ve read, and I don’t think I’m being harsh. She is not a good writer, she is not a good storyteller. Her prose and dialogue verge on almost embarrassingly bad at times. Her books are chaster versions of Harlequin romance books. I don’t like comparing them to HP either, don’t get me wrong. But they don’t have to be compared to HP for me to see them as awful.
I’m surprised with the attention Twilight is getting from Leaky, but eh well! Twilight is a good read, something easy and quick, nothing to really obssess over. I think it is a /bit/ overrated but what the hell, I still like it. Although, I don’t really like Edward in the last 2 books, he’s WAAY overprotective, very possesive and annoying!
But don’t get me wrong, I still like Twilight. If you’d like an easy, romantic read with a bit of fantasy thrown in, then give it a try. Something though: it IS a bit like fanfiction, I actually think the story has a lot of potential but neither the characters nor the plot is really well developed (after Harry Potter, not many plots are well developed, are they? :P ) so it gets ‘forced’ at some points.
And it shouldn't be compared with HP, they're totally different. The only thing they have in common is the fandom.
The books are just horrible, and so much fun to read. XD Seriously, they are very addicting, even though in most people above the age of about 16 they are very eyeroll-inducing. There are just some scenes that are so overthetop and cheesy it’s hilarious. I can’t explain it.
I don’t know, Lilpotterfan. I saw the teaser trailer for Twilight, and it looked pretty lame to me. The actress who plays Bella seemed really wooden. And from what I could hear of it, Robert Pattinson’s American accent was marginal; he needs to work some more with his dialect coach, or accent coach, or whatever they call it. On the bright side, though, it does seem as though they’ve kept as close to canon as possible.
As for the books, I thought they were okay. The comparison of Meyer’s writing to fanfic is pretty spot-on. I don’t think the books are horrible, but they definitely aren’t worthy of all the hype, and they’re not even in the same league as the HP books.