Oscar-nominated actress Kristen Stewart has shared her thoughts on the filmmaking experiences of the directors who succeeded Catherine Hardwicke in the Twilight series, expressing why she “felt bad” for them. As Stewart, best known for her portrayal of Bella Swan, prepares to debut her own feature-length directorial effort, the challenges faced by the Kristen Stewart Twilight sequel directors have become a point of honest reflection for her.
Stewart Praises Catherine Hardwicke’s Personal Approach
After starring with Robert Pattinson in the original Twilight film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s novels, Stewart spoke about the lasting impression left by director Catherine Hardwicke. She credited Hardwicke with putting her unique stamp on the first installment, stating in an interview,
“That [first] Twilight movie is hers and reflects her; Catherine accomplished that, hands down,”
Kristen Stewart, Actress. According to Stewart, Hardwicke found a way to infuse her own vision into the studio-driven franchise, despite commercial pressures.
Sequels Brought Unique Difficulties for Directors
When the series moved on to other directors, including Chris Weitz for New Moon, David Slade for Eclipse, and Bill Condon for the Breaking Dawn films, the creative process shifted. Stewart commented on the complexity of managing creative input on such a major franchise, remarking,
“Being able to withstand and organize that many opinions, and still make something that feels like yours, is near impossible to do,”
Kristen Stewart, Actress. She added,
“With so many voices in the room and with so much expectation, nothing feels personal.”
Kristen Stewart, Actress. This, she suggested, contributed to the challenge of maintaining individual identity as a director in a high-profile Hollywood project.
Directors Navigated Intense Expectations and Creative Pressure
The actress further questioned if the directors who succeeded Hardwicke felt genuine agency over their entries in the saga, sharing,
“Actually felt like they fully directed those movies,”
Kristen Stewart, Actress. Stewart explained that while filming the sequels, she experienced empathy for these Kristen Stewart Twilight sequel directors, admitting she
“felt bad for them and proud of them”
simultaneously as they worked under immense scrutiny.
Despite these constraints, Stewart acknowledged the directors’ achievements, noting the movies’ ability to resonate with audiences through unique characteristics. She emphasized this with,
“Had personality, in spite of a really stifled process,”
Kristen Stewart, Actress. She also described how the sequels carried distinct identities, saying,
“They feel almost overtly, bizarrely, spastically themselves,”
Kristen Stewart, Actress. Stewart spoke about the type of determined mindset necessary in such roles, stating,
“You need to have an incredibly thirsty, hungry, brazen, deplorably narrow drive. You look at that and you get jealous of it as an actor. So then you go, ‘I’d like to form my own version of that.’”
Kristen Stewart, Actress.
Bill Condon on the Reception of His Twilight Films
In a recent discussion regarding his work on upcoming projects, Oscar-winning writer-director Bill Condon commented on the broader reception the Twilight films received. He described external attitudes toward the series, saying,
“Became such a target for people, and people felt superior to it, and I thought, ‘God, you were really missing the point.’”
Bill Condon, Director. Condon also noted the tone and style he introduced, particularly given his own identity, stating,
“Because this is a big franchise that is in on the joke,”
Bill Condon, Director, and continued,
“For me, personally, as a gay director, I thought I brought a bit of camp to it that was permissible. Michael Sheen, that laugh.”
Bill Condon, Director. His comments reveal how he navigated both audience expectations and his personal creative choices while leading parts of the Twilight franchise.
Stewart’s Growth as a Filmmaker and What Comes Next
Across all five Twilight films, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson anchored the series, helping it achieve widespread commercial success. Following her time as an actor in the franchise, Stewart channeled her insights on filmmaking into new projects, such as her 2017 short “Come Swim” and work with the band Boygenius on a three-song music video project.
Now, Stewart is preparing to make her mark as a director with the release of her feature debut “The Chronology of Water,” which premiered to enthusiastic reviews at Cannes and is slated for public release on Friday. Her reflections on the Twilight saga and the directors behind its sequels highlight the pressures and opportunities that come with steering major film franchises, while also illustrating her evolution from performer to creator.
