As the 15th anniversary of the groundbreaking Twilight film approaches, director Catherine Hardwicke has sparked excitement among fans by contemplating potential casting choices for a hypothetical reboot in the future.
In a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Hardwicke engaged in a captivating thought experiment, considering who she would choose to play the iconic roles of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan if Twilight were to be made today.
When asked by host Josh Horowitz, Hardwicke wasted no time in nominating Jacob Elordi as her top pick for the role of Edward Cullen. The 26-year-old actor, recognized for his recent standout performance in Saltburn and his roles in Euphoria and The Kissing Booth adaptations, received glowing praise from Hardwicke.
“Jacob Elordi—I mean, he’s amazing. He probably would be Edward today. Exactly,” she enthusiastically shared.
For the role of a contemporary Bella Swan, Hardwicke turned her attention to the rising star Jenna Ortega. At just 20 years old, Ortega has already left a lasting impression with breakout performances in shows like Wednesday and films like Scream. Hardwicke expressed admiration for Ortega, describing her as “amazing” and highlighting her impressive slate of upcoming projects.
“I do think that there’s a lot of really cool young actors…I mean, of course, you just mentioned Jenna Ortega. She’s amazing,” Hardwicke gushed.
The original Twilight franchise, directed by Hardwicke, propelled Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson to global superstardom in the roles of Bella and Edward from 2008 to 2012. The five films, based on Stephenie Meyer’s books, collectively grossed over $3.3 billion worldwide.
As fans eagerly anticipate the possibility of a Twilight reboot, Hardwicke’s imaginative casting choices add a fresh and exciting dimension to the beloved vampire love story. The prospect of Jacob Elordi and Jenna Ortega stepping into the iconic roles has ignited conversations about how a modern-day Twilight could captivate a new generation of fans while paying homage to the beloved original. Only time will tell if this dream casting becomes a reality, but the excitement is palpable as the Twilight saga continues to leave an indelible mark on popular culture.
