Video: Taylor Lautner talks “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″
In this NewsOK video, Taylor Lautner talks about the changes his character, loyal werewolf Jacob Black, goes through in “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1.”
Lautner says Jacob becomes a man in “Breaking Dawn — Part 1,” making the fourth and penultimate film one of the most challenging in the saga for the 19-year-old movie star.
The latest installment in the blockbuster film franchise based on Stephenie Meyer’s supernaturally popular book series opened at midnight.
To read my feature with Lautner from the recent Los Angeles press day, click here. To read my “Breaking Dawn – Part 1″ review, click here.
-BAM
After “Breaking Dawn” Taylor Lautner plans to keep learning from his “Twilight” character
Taylor Lautner arrives at the world premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" on Monday in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. To read my review of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” click here.
Taylor Lautner plans to keep learning from his “Twilight” character
Loyal werewolf Jacob Black becomes a man in “Breaking Dawn — Part 1,” making the fourth and penultimate film one of the most challenging in the saga for the 19-year-old movie star.
“After playing the same character for five movies and for years, you grow so close to him,” Lautner said during a recent press conference at the Four Seasons Hotel.
“I love Jacob. There’s many things that I look up to Jacob for. Jacob’s one of the most loyal people, one of the most persistent people. He has amazing qualities to him that I hope I can learn from him and implement into my own life, which is kind of cool.”
In “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1,” the fourth and penultimate installment of the blockbuster film franchise based on Stephenie Meyer’s paranormally popular books, Lautner’s stalwart werewolf character goes through a series of life-changing events, starting when the girl he loves, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), marries her vampire fiancé, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson).
When Bella gets pregnant on her honeymoon, the supernaturally strong and fast-growing baby not only endangers her life, its unknown nature also threatens the Cullen coven’s peace treaty with Jacob’s lycanthrope kinsmen.
“I was really excited about this one because “Jacob becomes a man in this one and he has to make a lot decisions. He’s being torn between his two families. It was really tough. It was by far the most challenging one for me,” Lautner said.
“Now seeing the movie, I’m really happy. Jacob starts here and he ends here, and it’s just very exciting to see him in a completely different light than ever before.”
The most difficult challenge Lautner, 19, faced in “Breaking Dawn — Part 1” involved his character’s long-awaited imprinting, an involuntary, instantaneous event in which a werewolf bonds with his soul mate.
“You had to go there. That was tough. Because what is imprinting? What do you look like when you imprint? I mean, those were all the questions going through my head. Luckily we had Stephenie on set the entire time, and trust me I asked her a million times, ‘OK, explain to me one more time what imprinting is exactly?’ and ‘Did you ever envision what Jacob looks like; what is he doing when he’s imprinting?’” he said.
“Then it didn’t help that when we filmed it, they put an X on a wall and said … ‘You’re going to walk in the room, you’re going to look at the X and you’re going to imprint.’ And I’m like, ‘Are you kidding me?’
Since director Bill Condon and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg divided Meyer’s hefty fourth and final book into two movies that filmed at the same time, Lautner already has seen the last scene he shot play out onscreen in “Breaking Dawn — Part 1.” As it turns out, Lautner’s last dance with “The Twilight Saga” was an actual dance.
“I knew filming the last scene was going to be tough, but it was more emotional for all of us than we expected. And it didn’t help that my very last scene was with Kristen — it was with Rob as well, but he comes in at the end and breaks it up — it’s really a last dance between Bella and Jacob,” he said. “It’s really Jacob saying goodbye to Bella, she’s off to her honeymoon, and he’s kind of realizing that it’s … time for him to move on.
“I remember when we finished and Kristen and I just looked at each other, and I don’t think we really had anything to say,” he added. “The emotion from the scene was overwhelming us — and then the emotion from the situation on top of that — it was tough. But it was a very special moment. Now when I watch that scene, I have a lot of great memories.”
One aspect about being Jacob Black that Lautner is eager to leave behind: all the shirtless scenes. Since they transform quickly from humans to werewolves, Jacob and the rest of his pack are constantly tearing through clothes, so they often don’t wear that many.
“Maybe the climate of where we filmed, those two together don’t go very well. I love Vancouver, but we have to film when it’s cold and rainy and gross, and the sun comes out and we’ve got to stop filming,” he said, flashing his trademark grin.
“But I honestly can’t even think of complaints or anything that I wouldn’t want to do because of everything it (being in ‘Twilight’) has given me. It’s just absolutely unreal, and I didn’t see it coming at all — none of us did,” he added. “I’m just crazy thankful for what this has given all of us and the opportunities it’s given us as actors.”
Video: Kristen Stewart talks “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″
In this NewsOK video, Kristen Stewart talks about taking her well-known character Bella Swan through big milestones, including her wedding, honeymoon and pregnancy in “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1.” The fourth and penultimate film in the blockbuster film franchise based on Stephenie Meyer’s supernaturally popular book series opened at midnight.
To read my feature with Stewart from the recent Los Angeles press day, click here. To read my “Breaking Dawn – Part 1″ review, click here.
-BAM
Kristen Stewart takes Bella Swan through her wedding, honeymoon, pregnancy in “Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″
Kristen Stewart arrives at the world premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" on Monday in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. To read my review of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” click here.
Being Bella Swan
In “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1,” Kristen Stewart plays her well-known character through big milestones, including her wedding, honeymoon and pregnancy.
LOS ANGELES — Over the past few years, Kristen Stewart has taken “Twilight” heroine Bella Swan through her first love and her first devastating breakup, her high school prom and graduation.
But as fans of Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling supernatural romance books know, the big milestones for Bella begin with “Breaking Dawn.”
With Friday’s theatrical debut of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” “Twi-hards” will finally get the chance to see Bella and her courtly vampire fiancé Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) get married, take their romantic honeymoon and find their new life forever altered when Bella gets pregnant. The impending birth not only threatens Bella’s life — an emergency vampire conversion will be her only hope for survival — it also endangers the Cullen clan’s pact with the local werewolves of the Quileute Tribe, including Bella’s best pal, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner).
“It’s such a far-fetched story in all, but it’s really not if you just compare it to somebody who is my age,” said Stewart, 21, during a recent press conference at the Four Seasons Hotel. “It really crams a lot of milestones into one movie. It was almost like within this series, it doesn’t last for very long period of time, but it was a much more full experience than you really would ever get to have with something about a girl that age. Because of her unique situation, I really did get to live like 10 to 15 years in those four to five because … all the imposing elements just speed everything up.”
Ushering the beloved character though life-changing milestones like marriage and pregnancy became intense, Stewart said.
“I’m pretty wrapped up in her and vice versa. I’ve always felt like you really project yourself onto that character. If you’re the type of girl to identify with Bella, then you just kind of are her,” she said.
“Basically, yes, I had all of those experiences. I definitely looked down (at my belly) and figured ‘geez!’”
Like many brides, when she was walking down the aisle as Bella, Stewart struggled to stop worrying and start savoring one of the biggest moments in the saga.
“I had a million different things going to my head, but kind of what I kept telling myself was ‘Stop. Stop. Just do it and actually have this experience because you’re just about to ruin it,’” she said.
“I know the story so well … so I just kind of kept telling myself to ‘Just find yourself in this moment and appreciate it or else you’re going to look back and go, “God, why didn’t I just take that ride and just do it? It would have been better in the movie anyway.”’ I tried the best I could.”
Since director Bill Condon and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg divided Meyer’s heavy fourth and final novel into two movies that filmed at the same time, Stewart didn’t always get to play the big moments in Bella’s life in the proper order.
“Making two movies at once … was fun but it was hard, though, because it was such a big thing,” Condon said. “She would be young Bella, high school girl, in the morning and then a vampire in the afternoon and then a pregnant mother in the evening. She had days like that. It was crazy.”
Although the mixed-up production schedule presented challenges, Stewart said it also helped her get into the proper mindset to portray Bella.
“Being able to play a vampire, a human, a woman who’s pregnant and a woman who’s about to get married, literally sometimes within the same day or sometimes in the same week actually helped,” she said.
“Everything felt more important and more relevant to me. It was sort of like everything felt very close. So I think if we did it more systematically, it just wouldn’t have been the same. Everything was happening all at once. It was just so overwhelming that it was good. It gives you that energy every day.”
With the demands of the production schedule, the Los Angeles native didn’t have to lose the weight Bella does as her fast-growing baby saps the nutrients and vitality from her body.
“Digital! Totally. I didn’t have time. Everything was so sporadically shot. To do that, we would’ve had to shut down production for a couple of months while I lost the weight or gained it back, whichever we did first,” she said.
“It does make you feel a little bit like, ‘Oh, I hope you guys do a good job because I can’t do that part.’ … Those guys are amazing at what they do.
Although “Breaking Dawn — Part 2” won’t make it to the big screen for another year, in the meantime, Stewart will play another well-known dark-haired beauty caught up in a paranormal adventure in “Snow White and the Huntsman,” due in theaters June 1. The actress found intensely maternal qualities in both young fairy tale women.
“Every single time I think about this installment (of ‘Twilight’), I just think of a cat in the corner, claws out, belly swollen, like ‘Stay the F away from me!’” said Stewart, who wore a wrap on her hand she attributed to an injury “fighting dwarves.”
“I guess a million comparisons can be drawn, but the one thing that sticks out in my mind is that they really both are, in different ways, matriarchs — very strong, strong matriarchs that need to find that position … But it’s so different.”
-BAM
Movie review: “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1″
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. 2 1/2 of 4 stars.
Movie review: ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1’
Director Bill Condon gives “Twi-hard” fans the extravagant wedding and romantic honeymoon they’ve been longing to see but fails to deliver true terror or high-stakes drama in the birthing room or on the battlefield with the penultimate film in the blockbuster franchise.
Director Bill Condon gives “Twi-hard” fans the extravagant wedding and romantic honeymoon they’ve been longing to see with “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1.”
Unfortunately, the Oscar winner fails to deliver true terror or high-stakes drama in the birthing room or on the battlefield in the first of his two-movie finale in the blockbuster film franchise based on Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling paranormal romance novels.
Summit Entertainment takes a page from the Harry Potter movies with “Breaking Dawn,” Meyer’s 750-page fourth and final book in the saga, which Condon and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg divided into two movies that were filmed at the same time. Although it would be easy to dismiss the split decision as a mere cash grab, — the previous three “Twilight” films made $1.8 billion, after all — Meyer’s book provides ample action for two movies, plus a natural breaking point between the two parts.
Still, a full year seems a long time to wait for “Breaking Dawn: Part 2,” which isn’t due in theaters until Nov. 16, 2012. If you’re going to borrow a chapter from Potter, why not aim for a summer release for the final installment?
The first part opens with the big moment the saga’s fervent fans have been eagerly awaiting since the book came out in 2008: Human heroine Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) marries her chivalrous vampire fiancé Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) in a lavish ceremony that gives face time to all the series’ periphery characters, from Bella’s high school frenemy Jessica (Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick) and her dad and mom (Billy Burke and Sarah Clarke) to the various members of the Cullen clan and the fellow human blood-eschewing vampires in the Denali coven.
Calling the wedding a “moment” might be an understatement, since Condon spends a solid half-hour on the nuptials. But considering the anticipation among “Twi-hards” and the furor over April’s royal wedding, it’s hard to fault the filmmakers for milking it.
Hot-tempered werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), Bella’s best friend and spurned suitor, shows up at the reception to give his best wishes to the happy couple. But he quickly retracts his blessing and nearly starts a vampire-lycanthrope throwdown when he learns that Bella and Edward are going to attempt to have a typical honeymoon before the bride’s transformation into a vampire. Considering Edward’s predatory instincts and superhuman strength, Jacob fears a human Bella might not make it through her wedding night in one piece.
Once Edward whisks Bella off to a secluded tropical paradise, Condon again takes his time and fulfills fan fantasies with the honeymoon. He takes the PG-13 rating as far as he can, conveying genuine passion and even some humor in the couple’s long-awaited consummation.
Their marital bliss is short-lived. Bella soon learns that she is pregnant, and the half-human, half-vampire baby quickly proves that it is both super-strong and fast-growing. Edward hauls his bride back home to Forks, Wash., vowing to get “that thing” out of her, but Bella is determined to protect her unborn baby.
As the fetus saps Bella of her vitality, prevents her from eating normal food and develops at an astounding rate, the Cullens wonder if even an emergency vampire conversion will be enough to save the determined mom-to-be.
While Jacob is enraged to see the girl he loves bruised and emaciated from carrying “that monster,” werewolf alpha male Sam Uley (Tahlequah-born Chaske Spencer) has an even more dramatic reaction. The pack leader decides Bella’s baby poses an unacceptable threat to the community and declares war on the Cullens, forcing Jacob to make a difficult choice.
The first half of “Breaking Dawn: Part 1” moves slowly, but at least it taps into the appropriate emotions. The second half zips along rapidly but remains alarmingly flat and lifeless. In particular, Jacob’s heart-wrenching decision is made so quickly that its import seems lost, and the pivotal birthing scene, so compelling in the book, comes across as devoid of any real desperation, danger or life-and-death consequences. Even the addition of a few fight sequences fails to generate any real excitement.
Still the final moments of “Breaking Dawn: Part 1” live up to the hype, offering a crimson-hued glimmer of hope that the polarizing conclusion of “The Twilight Saga” will make for interesting viewing.
— BAM
Taylor Lautner and Edi Gathegi remain close pals even after Laurent’s “Twilight” death
Taylor Lautner
As I type, hordes of “Twi-hard” fans are squirming in their theater seats, eagerly awaiting the midnight opening of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1.”
Edi Gathegi
Although filming has already been completed on the saga – director Bill Condon shot both halves of “Breaking Dawn” at the same time – series star Taylor Lautner, who plays werewolf hero Jacob Black, says the cast members are still quite close.
“I can definitely say that we all are very, very close. One person that I’m really close with — and I’m happy and it could be unexpected because he’s not even in the franchise anymore because I killed him — was Edi Gathegi, who plays Laurent. He’s an incredible guy, and we’re very close,” Lautner said during the recent “Breaking Dawn – Part 1″ press day at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles.
“So maybe that’s unexpected because I haven’t filmed a movie with him in a few years, and the last time I did I took him out of the franchise and I bit his head off, so I apologize to him for that every single day. No, but he’s a great guy,” Lautner added with a grin.
“At the same time, we have all grown so close, and it’s really unbelievable how much we’ve gotten along, and I can’t imagine filming this franchise if we didn’t. It would be a complete nightmare.”
Look for my new feature on Lautner Friday here on BAM’s Blog, on NewsOK and in The Oklahoman’s Weekend Look section.
-BAM
Del City Library plans Bella and Edward wedding reception this evening in honor of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″
DEL CITY – In anticipation of Friday’s theatrical release of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part One,” the Del City Public Library is hosting this evening a special “Twilight”-theme wedding reception in honor of Edward and Bella Cullen.
The event will be a close replica of a traditional wedding reception, although instead of white, black and red will be the primary colors. Along with a black wedding cake and punch, the event will feature trivia, prizes, games, and music, along with a make-your-own twilight music video booth
The reception will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today at the Del City Library, 4509 SE 15. The event is intended for teens, and since the library has a large and active teen group, it is expected to draw quite a crowd.
For more information, call 672-1377.
“Twilight” Week continues here on BAM’s Blog. Look for my review and features with Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner Friday here on BAM’s Blog, on NewsOK and in The Oklahoman’s Weekend Look section.
- BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: “Mirror Mirror” and “Snow White and the Huntsman” trailers
The trailer for the upcoming Snow White-theme comedy “Mirror Mirror” debuted today, just days after “Snow White and the Huntsman” preview dropped.
The trailers seem to confirm what the folks at Relativity Media and Universal Pictures have been saying all along: These two takes on the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale look vastly difference.
Directed by Tarsem Singh (“Immortals,” “The Fall”), “Mirror Mirror” is billed as a comedy/drama/fantasy starring Lily Collins (“The Blind Side”) as Snow White, Julia Roberts as the evil queen, Armie Hammer as the charming prince and Sean Bean as the king.
A Relativity Media release, “Mirror Mirror” is due in theaters March 16.
Helmed by newcomer Rupert Sanders “Snow White and the Huntsman” looks like a dark and twisted fantasy action-adventure. It features “Twilight” star Kristen Stewart as Snow White, Charlize Theron as the wicked queen and Chris Hemsworth as the Huntsman.
The Universal Pictures film will open June 1.
Stewart’s latest film, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” opens in theaters Friday. Look for my new feature Friday on BAM’s Blog, on NewsOK and in The Oklahoman.
-BAM
UPDATED – Wednesday Video Spotlight: Harkins Bricktown Theatre plans Ultimate “Twilight” Marathon Thursday; win tickets TODAY on BAM’s Blog
UPDATED at 4:37 p.m. Friday: Congratulations to Glynis Crawford, winner of the BAM’s Blog-Harkins Bricktown OKC Ultimate “Twilight” Marathon giveaway! – BAM
“Twilight” Week continues here at BAM’s Blog as Friday’s theatrical release of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″ draws ever closer.
In this video, NewsOK host Angi Bruss sits down with Paul Wilson, general manager of Harkins Bricktown Theatres, to talk about the theater’s OKC Ultimate “Twilight” Marathon planned for Thursday.
I’m partnering with Harkins Theatres in Bricktown to give away a prize pack that includes two tickets to the sold-out marathon. This giveaway is the LAST possible way to get a pair of tickets to the hotly anticipated marathon event.
Harkins Bricktown Ultimate “Twilight” Marathon begins at 4 p.m. Thursday at the theater.
The Ultimate “Twilight” Marathon package I’m giving away includes admission for two to the previous three “Twilight” films – “Twilight,” “New Moon” and “Eclipse” – and the midnight premiere of “Breaking Dawn – Part One.”
Each marathoner will also receive:
Two free small popcorns.
One free 2012 Loyalty Cup (good for $1 soda refills through 2012 at Harkins Bricktown).
Two free Loyalty Cup refills to enjoy throughout the marathon experience.
Commemorative “Twilight” lanyard.
Harkins’ “Twilight” goodie bag.
To enter to win the BAM’s Blog Harkins Bricktown Ultimate “Twilight” Marathon, send me an email to featuresdesk@opubco.com telling me who is your favorite character from “The Twilight Saga” and why. Please be sure to put BAM’s Blog-Harkins Twilight Giveaway in the subject line of your email.
Emails must be received by 4:30 p.m. TODAY to be eligible. The winner will be chosen by random drawing of acceptable entries promptly after the deadline.
Again, this is your last chance to gain entry into the sold-out Ultimate OKC “Twilight” Marathon, so you don’t want to miss out!
On Thursday, Harkins Bricktown Theatres also will unveil its coveted 2012 Loyalty Cups and Loyalty T-Shirts. The Harkins Loyalty Cup and T-Shirt reward moviegoers with $1 soft drink refills each time they bring their Loyalty Cup to Harkins Bricktown through 2012. Moviegoers also receive a free medium popcorn each time they wear their Loyalty T-Shirt to the movies through the end of 2012.
To celebrate the launch, the first 200 people in line on Thursday for “Breaking Dawn – Part 1″ will receive a free Loyalty Cup.
For more information on Harkins Bricktown Theatres, click here.
-BAM
Video: Robert Pattinson talks “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″
Earlier this month, I got the chance to travel to Los Angeles to attend the press day for “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1″ at the swanky Four Seasons Hotel, where I attended press conferences and did interviews with many members of the cast and crew, including Robert Pattinson.
To read my feature on Pattinson, click here.
Hear what Pattinson has to say about “Breaking Dawn – Part 1″ and see clips from the film in this NewsOK video.
And to find out how you can enter to win two tickets and a prize pack for Thursday’s OKC Ultimate “Twilight” Marathon at Harkins Bricktown Theatres, click here.
-BAM
