Robert Pattinson was deemed not ‘attractive enough’ to play Edward in Twilight franchise reveals director: ‘He was kind of out of shape’
Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke revealed that Robert Pattinson was not initially deemed ‘attractive enough’ to play Edward in the hit franchise.
According to Hardwicke, 68, who appeared on television Watch podcast this week, Summit Entertainment studio hesitated to cast the actor, now 37, in the first film.
She said: ‘When he came to my house he had black bangs for hair and was a bit out of shape from hanging around the pub all the time.’
The filmmaker said the studio asked her, “Do you think you can make this guy look good?” to which she replied, “Yes, I do.” Did you see his cheekbones? We’ll do a hair makeover and everything, and he’ll work out and he’ll be beautiful.”
As it would turn out, Pattinson landed the role and played Edward Cullen opposite Kristen Stewart in the five films between 2008 and 2012.
Revelation: Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke revealed that Robert Pattinson was not initially deemed ‘attractive enough’ to play Edward in the hit franchise; seen in 2023
Shocking: According to Hardwicke, 68, who appeared on the Watchalong podcast this week, the Summit Entertainment studio was hesitant to cast the actor, now 37, in the first film
Hardwicke recalled when he first introduced Robert as Edward: ‘I thought, ‘it works not only in person, but on screen too.’ I had to be sure. Of course, personally I just got carried away, but you have to be sure: it really translates [to the screen]?’
She continued, “I sent it to Summit and he went over to meet them. But they didn’t believe it at first. He walked over there with a stained shirt… It was Rob.”
Summit Entertainment acquired the rights to the Twilight book series after Paramount Pictures’ demise.
Temple Hill produced the five blockbusters, which were distributed by Summit.
The franchise made Kristen, Robert and Taylor Lautner famous as it earned more than $3.4 billion in sales worldwide.
Twilight has solidified itself as a pop culture phenomenon with its five novels and accompanying film adaptations.
After first being offered on Netflix, the films recently moved to NBCUniversal’s Peacock.
In 2020, novelist Stephenie Meyer shared The Daily Telegraph that she couldn’t understand the craze behind the stories and said she only expected her family to read the books “out of pity.”
‘Out of shape’: She said: ‘When he came to my house he had black bangs for hair and was a bit out of shape from hanging around the pub all the time’; seen in 2022
Triumph: Ultimately, Pattinson took the role and played Edward Cullen opposite Kristen Stewart in the five films between 2008 and 2012
Present: Now, more than a decade after Twilight debuted, Pattinson is a Hollywood fixture and expecting his first child with his longtime love Suki Waterhouse
Now, more than a decade after Twilight debuted, Pattinson is a bonafide Hollywood actor and expecting his first child with longtime love Suki Waterhouse.
Suki announced her pregnancy last Sunday at the Corona Capital Festival in Mexico City, where she showed off her burgeoning baby bump on stage.
The beauty – who has been linked to the Batman actor since 2018 – addressed the crowd as she revealed the reason behind her choice of a glittery pink mini dress and a shaggy pale pink coat.
“I thought I’d wear something sparkly today to distract you from something else I’m doing,” the singer said, pushing back her outer layer to move towards her stomach.