Robert Pattinson, famous for his portrayal of Edward Cullen in the Twilight saga, shared his thoughts on the franchise’s lasting impact and its continued cultural relevance in a recent interview with GQ Spain. Nearly two decades after the release of the first Twilight film, the actor admits the franchise’s influence remains unavoidable.
During the interview, Pattinson joked about the ongoing conversations surrounding Twilight, saying, “I love that people keep telling me, ‘Man, Twilight ruined the vampire genre.’ Are you still stuck on that s***?” He also remarked, “How can you be sad about something that happened almost 20 years ago? It’s crazy.”
While the first Twilight film will celebrate its 16th anniversary in November 2024, Pattinson is still astounded by the ongoing cultural conversations surrounding the franchise. “I find it hard to believe the cultural relevance that these films maintain because they are so old. The first one was released in 2008, f***!” he shared, reflecting on the franchise’s continued popularity.
Pattinson described the persistent fascination with Twilight as a “fascinating phenomenon,” comparing it to the global rise of K-pop. He noted, “I think this renaissance has emerged in Korea and it’s happened a bit like with K-pop, which took off in Korea but then seduced a young Western population.”
At just 22 years old, Pattinson became an international sensation after starring in Twilight. Following the success of the five-film series, he transitioned to art-house projects, collaborating with acclaimed directors like Claire Denis and David Cronenberg.
Despite moving on from his iconic vampire role, Pattinson admits that Twilight’s impact remains a significant part of his career. While he’s distanced himself from the brooding Edward Cullen character, he recognizes that the franchise’s influence is something he’ll never fully escape.
