This is an article reflecting a series of novels and films based on it that feature:
Blood
Moderate fantasy violence
Sex references
One unsettling and seizure-inducing childbirth scene
Signs of a potentially abusive relationship
Reader discretion is advised.
Since late 2005, the iconic novel “Twilight” has won the hearts of many young readers [39] [55]. However, since three more novels and a film based on the first one were established, the franchise received a lot of backlash for various reasons, including how its vampires were so inaccurately portrayed [8] [33] [59] [63]. As the saga’s relevance gradually faded in the mid-2010s, an erotic trilogy gained more attention once the film adaption of its first book was established [17]. That trilogy was officially titled as the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy and was originally a Twilight fanfiction [13] [31]. Unfortunately, the Fifty Shades of Grey series and the films based on it have made the prime premise of Twilight about ten times worse, but without sparkly vampires and hunky werewolves [34]. So, how can a new decade or two make it better? I remember making a list of methods on how to positively re-establish the Twilight saga with a new set of movies for a new generation back in 2013 and I am more than willing to list them again [41], but with extra suggestions. Furthermore, I am up for a brand new establishment of the Twilight saga, but with plenty of notable differences.
I have always been fascinated by the symbolism of each item featured on the cover of every book within the Twilight series [41] [46], especially the apple in the hands on the cover of the first novel. But I digress. The smart folks out there would not judge a book by its cover. [55]
I remember watching the first Twilight movie with my family in Toronto back in December 2009. Good times, huh? Now that I am an adult in the beginning of the 2020s, I still have the suggestions for how a reboot can make up for the film franchise’s flaws I stated when I was a college student back in 2013 [41]. [55]How could the vampire species in a reboot of Twilight be more believable after so many complaints about Meyer’s lack of research [33] [63] [65]? I am afraid I must refer to the vampires that sparkle in sunlight in the original saga as the far more powerful ones than the traditional vampires that burn in sunlight. Traditional vampires have too many weaknesses [32] [33], such as garlic and having to count grains of rice on the ground while the Twilight vampires have outstanding senses, super strength and super speed [58]. To make up for Meyer’s great missed opportunity to do enough research on the traits of classic vampires, a new type of vampire in the reboot can only be a traditional one during the night and revert back to human during the daytime, but always maintain highly enhanced senses, speed and strength from transformation [41]. Heck, how about a moment during the night when a new version of Edward turns into an adorable bat [11]? Bat versions of Edward and Bella Cullen would be assuming. But alternatively, I suppose the vampires in the reboot of Twilight can always sparkle in the sunlight for the sake of how iconic they in the original film adaptions but refer to themselves as “daywalkers” [5].
The vampires in Twilight hardly look anything like traditional vampires in the daylight. Furthermore, I suggest they refer to themselves as “daywalkers” during the day and have a few more characteristics of the traditional vampires during the night in the reboot [5] [11]. [49]
Even though Edward Cullen still drank the blood from animals after vowing to no longer drink human blood [45], I am fine with vegetarian vampires because of characters who are vampires and can still stick to meat-free diets, like Count Duckula and Draculaura from Monster High [6] [23]. [49]I have nothing against Bella Swan being clumsy and insecure, but I can see why many critics have considered her to be one of the worst female protagonists in fiction [28] [44] [59] [60] [64]. She can still have a desire to have a happy ending with the vampire she loves so much, but a new interpretation of her in the reboot can gather a lot of likeability if she can consist of much more than that. Perhaps she can have a hobby that benefits her mental well-being, such as traditional art or studying history. A goal related to a hobby she has and hopes to achieve outside her love life can make her a character worth rooting for. I highly suggest that Bella in the reboot also aims to steadily become more independent along the way, even before turning into a vampire [28]. It worked for Lara Croft in the reboot of the Tomb Raider franchise, didn’t it [16]? To become a much better role model for young girls, a new version of Bella would really need some more realistic and reasonable ambitions besides becoming a vampire to be closer to Edward [41]. At least a little personal development is better than none at all.
A desire to be more courageous and adventurous, even as a human within the development of a new Bella in a reboot can make moments when she gets into danger far more legitimate [28]. An extra ambition for increasing her chances of us rooting for her ought to be a hobby Meyer is into besides writing. [44]
I would not mind if a rebooted Bella Swan will consist of the blonde hair from the cover of the Indonesian edition of the book and the blue eyes from the cover of the Russian edition [55]. To be honest, those features would be some pretty neat Easter eggs. [55]The Twilight saga has been criticised for depicting aspects of abuse in Edward and Bella’s relationship and romanticising them [3] [4] [9] [10] [14]. There seemed to be only shallowness and very little chemistry between them [3]. One example of Edward’s abusive antics that critics have called him out for is how he tries to isolate her from others, especially Jacob Black, a shape-shifter who may be dangerous, but is at least her longtime best friend [9] [14] [37] [38] [42]. Even though he often tries to protect her, another example of abuse would be how he even stalks her, which should not really be justified [3] [41] [42]. Why was there a Team Edward rooting for their love back in the day? Because they are physically attractive of course! The reboot of the Twilight saga should avoid making the same big mistakes by providing much healthier and more realistic connections between the star-crossed lovers [41], not just because they like each other’s appearances and scents [3] [30]. This can help a new teenaged audience further understand good standards in a romantic relationship [10]. Additionally, a new version of Edward Cullen can try to be a better person as he lets his love for Bella motivate him during the progress. That way, he will not seem as…well…unsettling [30] [42].
A reboot of the saga ought to set up better examples by removing the abusive aspects of Edward and Bella’s romance, especially the stalking [3] [4] [9] [10] [14]. A secondary theme added to the reboot can be mental health so that there can be more a realistic and relatable portrayal in association with a healthier interpretation of Edward and Bella’s romance. [45]
Of course, the love triangle from New Moon and Eclipse can still be in the reboot for those who were on Team Jacob back during the run of the original film franchise [27] [37] [38]. [48]Can any theories about the original series come true in the reboot to increase appeal for a new crowd of Twihards [39]? There is one theory that the reason why Edward fell in love with Bella is that she is a reincarnation of another girl he was in love with [12] [61]. Or more interestingly, he must have had feelings for other young females who consisted of the same soul throughout the years. The reboot of the Twilight saga ought to make this theory come true so that the risk of critics accusing Edward of being into pedophilia can be greatly reduced [3]. A new Edward’s love life can start with the one he loved in the decade he became a vampire in and conclude with his love for a more somewhat self-empowered Bella. After all, he had to attend and graduate from high school quite a lot of times as a vampire who cannot physically age in order to fit in with the human world [42]. In addition to a theory about different incarnations of Bella loving Edward in the past, a new version of Edward may try and progress as a boyfriend, learning from mishaps within his previous relationships.
Making a reasonable and logical theory about an aspect in the original series come true in a reboot of it can further expand on the character’s intentions for a new crowd of Twihards [12] [61]. [45]Jacob’s imprinting on Renesmee Cullen after she was born in Breaking Dawn has been heavily criticised by some critics for its potentially “pedophilic” elements [19] [27] [33]. Despite the allegations, imprinting is actually a rather complex bonding between a shape-shifter and another humanoid with a few stages [50]. Jacob and Renesmee’s relationship in Breaking Dawn is just them being good companions, thus Jacob only seems like a protective uncle or older brother to her [51]. At least his imprinting stayed at the first stage and prevented his pack from hunting down the Cullens [35] [36] [50]. But to be honest, I think a new version of Jacob in the reboot of the saga should imprint on a completely new character who is Bella’s sister to avoid repeating the same unintended controversy with how he imprinted on her daughter in Breaking Dawn [19] [33] [59]. That could potentially fascinate those who were on Team Jacob during the original film franchise’s run. A new way of Jacob Black potentially finding a soulmate can be one of the ways to conclude reboot of the saga in a way that would be more acceptable than how Breaking Dawn ended as plenty of fans of the saga were completely dissatisfied with it [15] [29] [41] [46].
I know Renesmee will grow into looking about Jacob’s age at some point after Breaking Dawn – Part 2 [36], but it would still seem awkward if they officially date as she is the daughter of his former love interest. I would rather see Jacob imprint on a sibling of the one he had the hots for in the reboot of the saga. [51]Perhaps a little something can make up for how flawed some of the special effects were in the original film series [59]. What is that, you ask? Making the reboot animated, my fellow sparklers. I know the series of graphic novels based on the saga has not yet been completed, but I think basing the reboot’s animation on the outstanding art style of the graphic novels and illustrated guide by Young Kim would be a real treat [54] [56] [57]. The animation should be smooth and expressive to truly bring Kim’s stunning art style to life, thus providing a lot more expressions within the characters than the acting in the original movies had. Speaking of expressive, a cast of talented voice actors and voice actresses should provide plenty of emotion to further upstage the performances of the actors and actresses in the original live-action films from 2008 to 2012 [35] [36] [37] [38] [42]. Lastly, there must not be any scenes that could cause seizures like the childbirth scene of Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 [1] [26]. But despite my suggestion, I supposed letting the reboot be live-action with a new cast of actors and actresses for each character might be a slight cost-cutting decision.
Young Kim’s art style for the graphic novels and illustrated guide is amazing [54] [56] [57]. I would love to see it come to life by the power of animation someday. [56]
Animated or not, there should definitely be no effects that are dangerous for those who have epilepsy, such as flashes of red and white in the reboot to increase its accessibility [1]. [26]Could there be any alternative titles for a reboot of the film series? Well, if there ought to be a book in association with the reboot of the first film, it can start with a heavily updated version of Midnight Sun, the unpublished novel that was meant to be a companion to Twilight that tells the story in Edward’s perspective [21] [65]. Unfortunately, it was illegally leaked, which must have heavily affected Meyer’s motivation for finishing it [53]. In addition to how that can finally get Midnight Sun over and done with, the first film of the reboot could be titled “Twilight: Midnight Sun” to give out a sign that and not an unnecessary continuation after the events of Breaking Dawn: Part 2 [36]. Speaking of Breaking Dawn, another addition to the reboot can be titled “Forever Dawn” as an Easter egg that references the unpublished novel that was a birthday present for Meyer’s sister [47]. Even though many reboots would consist of the same title as the originals [25] [40], some slightly different titles can make it even easier to tell the differences. Nevertheless, giving the rebooted installments the same names, but with redesigned logos may also clearly show the differences.
Titling the reboot of the film based on the first novel as “Twilight: Midnight Sun” can make up for how much of a missed opportunity to legally publish Midnight Sun was. [53]
Would the fans who hated Breaking Dawn have preferred to read Forever Dawn, despite how it was not an official part of the saga? [47]I do not condone viciously insulting and dehumanising Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight saga for publishing a controversial and negatively received series of literature from 2005 to 2008 [33] [46] [55]. Making claims like “Stephenie Meyer cannot write!” and “Stephenie Meyer is a talentless hack!” to this day is not going to help her improve her writing and creativity at all [62] [63]. If I found out a successful novel series I established and a film series based on it received a lot of criticism for inaccuracies and unintended controversies [33] [63], I would eventually try and establish a reboot to try and balance both sides of the spectrum: those who loved the original series and those who loathed it [27] [29] [33] [39] [59] [63]. Meyer ought to do the same thing someday if she is up for it. I know it is a difficult task, but it can be highly beneficial for personal development when it comes to the ability to take valid criticism [64] [65]. Even though a re-imagining for the original tale with some gender swapping was fun for celebrating its tenth anniversary back in 2015 [43] [52], a re-imagining of the tale with many improvements that make up for its flaws would be far more necessary.
I am not saying that Meyer’s skill in literature is beyond criticism [33] [46] [55], yet I do not condone saying that she should stop writing all together because of how much backlash her saga has received throughout the years [62] [63]. In order to further expand on her credibility as a writer, how she can try and make up for what was flawed in some way, especially in Breaking Dawn in a new establishment of the Twilight series can show proactivity combined with long overdue responsibility to take legitimate criticism [46] [55]. [20]Overall, I am up for re-establishing the Twilight saga, as long as the proposed reboot will provide:
The vampires having some traits from the traditional vampire legend, but plenty of their strengths from the original saga [58]
A more likeable Bella with a realistic goal apart from becoming a vampire [28]
A healthier and more comfortable romance between Bella and Edward with no signs of abuse [4] [37]
Edward’s progress to being a better boyfriend through each relationship from each decade [12] [61]
Jacob imprinting on a character who is physically his age, such as a sister for Bella [59]
The Twilight saga is over ten years old now, so there should be plenty of time to think about a reboot can possibly make several improvements for a new decade. Rebooting a franchise at least more than a decade later is a much better move than rebooting it too early as the second generation of Monster High was a reboot that was established only six years after the franchise debuted and did not seem to be as successful as the first generation [2] [7] [22] [23] [24]. A new and improved Twilight for a brand new decade could be still a better love story than Twilight [18].
I know that I cannot see the future like Alice Cullen can [36], but I can see what changes can be made in a reboot for a new audience. [45]
An exceptional reboot of the Twilight films can potentially welcome old fans back to those good old days [35] [36] [37] [38], set better examples for new young fans [9] [28], and make plenty of the longtime haters at least appreciate its efforts for trying to be a long overdue improvement [33] [63]. [54]References
Chaymie Creates. (2016). Monster High New Reboot Doll Body Vs Original – Comparison & Review.Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc2iA0uMR0E. Last accessed 23rd Mar 2020.
Monster High. (2016). Get Ready for a Fangtastic Journey with a Sneak Peek at Welcome to Monster High | Monster High.Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvcIn3vT-og. Last accessed 23rd Mar 2020.
Movieclips. (2012). Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (6/9) Movie CLIP – Childbirth (2011) HD.Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKRPgJYHblo. Last accessed 23th Mar 2020.
TotallyLisaCartoons. (2013). Do you think the Twilight Saga should be rebooted in the future?.Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FBJv53tim0. Last accessed 21st Mar 2020.
Twilight, dir. by Catherine Hardwicke (Summit Entertainment, 2008).
Greetings and welcome to another one of my humble portfolios. My name is Laura Williams and it is nice to meet you. This is where I will be expressing my ambition in video game journalism, along with my blog on Blogger. You are more than welcome to read them. :)
I am also interested in voice acting, games design, screen acting, concept art, cosplaying, comedy, fashion modelling, photo manipulation, poetry, literature, scriptwriting and nail art.
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7 thoughts on “What If The Twilight Saga Ought To Be Rebooted?”