With one last action-packed trailer, Summit continues its final marketing push to bring the $2 billion Twilight Saga down the home stretch. What’s nice about this full two-minute trailer is it actually builds tension, at least, moreso than the abridged looks we’ve had this week . And while it lays down more of a foundation for the final epic throwdown between good vampires and not-so-good vampires that wraps up the series, we also get the tiniest explanation of the “immortal child” hullabaloo at the center of Breaking Dawn . The full trailer offers a bit more explanation for the uninitiated as to why evil Italian vampire Michael Sheen and his army of cloaked bloodsuckers are coming to Washington State to tangle with Bella Swan ( Kristen Stewart ), Edward Cullen ( Robert Pattinson ), and their extended brood namely, Renesmee. The Volturi have been waiting for a reason to punish these peaceful romance-loving Cullen vamps, and when stupid Irina (Maggie Grace, I cannot wait for you to not be annoying in a movie) tattles some misinformation they are convinced Bella and Edward have done the unthinkable: “Turned” a child. Also saved for the final marketing push is an emphasis on the special vampire powers that gave Stephenie Meyer’s Saga-ender such a left-field X-Men: The Last Stand -type feel, although the book differed drastically from the heated brawling we see here, so there’s at least one mystery left to uncover . Better to reel in fans with the homestead drama and Bella’s karate kicking skills and leave the really out-there stuff for audiences to discover in the theater (*cough imprinting cough*). The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 is in theaters November 16. Follow Jen Yamato on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
Latest peek at the saga’s finale offers up first looks at newbies Lee Pace, Rami Malek and more. By Amy Wilkinson Vampires in “Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” Photo: Jacob Black may have said it best: “A lot of red eyes around here.” The latest teaser trailer for ” The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 ” hit the Web Wednesday (June 20), and it’s brimming with a bounty of new bloodsuckers descending upon Forks to defend the Cullen clan (including newborn Renesmee) against the villainous Volturi. Let’s take a closer look at the saga’s fresh blood. Maggie Grace as Irina OK, this isn’t exactly our first glimpse of the Denali coven member, as she made a brief appearance at Bella and Edward’s nuptials during “Breaking Dawn – Part 1.” But her role in the series finale is profound enough to warrant a mention. You see, it’s Irina who tells the Volturi that the Cullens have supposedly created an immortal child — the result of biting a youngster, freezing them in a perpetual adolescence. Of course, we know that Renesmee is a rare vampire-human hybrid, having been conceived by Bella and Edward. The Volturi don’t know that, though, so they set off to exact punishment for the high crime. Lee Pace as Garrett No, that isn’t Mark Wahlberg reprising his “Rock Star” role, it’s “Pushing Daisies” actor Lee Pace looking all kinds of scruffy as nomadic vampire Garrett. (No room for a blow-dryer on the road, I guess!) Unlike many of the assembled immortals, Garrett doesn’t have a special talent — except maybe fortitude, as his ability to endure fellow vampire Kate’s powers stops her from attacking the Volturi and inciting a blood bath. In the trailer, it looks as though Garrett may have already aligned himself with the Denali coven before the events of “Breaking Dawn,” which would be a departure from Stephenie Meyer’s source material. Rami Malek as Benjamin One of the more intriguing moments from the latest look is Benjamin’s rather damp display of talent. The Egyptian coven member can control the elements and does so in grand fashion, bending a swath of water to his will. Like Bella, Benjamin spends a great deal of time during “Part 2” practicing and harnessing his abilities for use against the Volturi. Joe Anderson as Alistair The blond bloodsucker you see sparingly throughout the trailer is English vamp Alistair, a longtime friend of Carlisle Cullen. Alistair spends most of his time sulking in the attic and disappears before the Volturi arrive. Seeing as he gets a few good looks here, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think he might stick around for the final face-off in this iteration. Judith Shekoni as Zafrina and Tracey Heggins as Senna Zafrina and Senna, along with maker Kachiri, comprise the Amazon coven. Zafrina boasts the ability to create vivid illusions and spends time entertaining Renesmee with her mental images. But it’s Kachiri (not seen in the trailer) who helps Alice and Jasper track down important immortal-children evidence to present to the Volturi in the Cullens’ defense. “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” hits theaters November 16. Are you excited to see the new vampires in action? Check out everything we’ve got on “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos ‘Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 2’ Trailer Related Photos Official ‘Breaking Dawn – Part 2’ Posters Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 2
Oh hey, remember Twilight ? That book that was a movie that spawned a gazillion-dollar franchise before The Hunger Games and Fifty Shades of Grey made you momentarily forget about sparkly vampires? Well, it’s back, and the latest EW cover serves to remind us all that Breaking Dawn – Part 2 — the franchise ender, due in November — is just on the horizon. Forthwith, your first look at Vampire Bella, Daddy Edward, and, uh, Uncle Jacob with Breaking Dawn ‘s preternaturally mature baby Renesmee. EW teases their June 22 issue with family portraits of Bella ( Kristen Stewart ), Edward ( Robert Pattinson ), Jacob ( Taylor Lautner ), and little Renesmee, a new character introduced in Breaking Dawn – Part 2 . Per Stephenie Meyer’s final Twilight novel, Renesmee is the half-human, half-vampire baby whose birth pretty much kills Bella at the end of Breaking Dawn – Part 1 , necessitating Bella’s transformation into a vampire and kicking off the final chapter of zany events in the series. Among the stranger details of Breaking Dawn – Part 2 : Renesmee is a hybrid creature baby who grows at an accelerated rate, hence why she looks more like Siri Cruise than a normal infant. (Forget Twilight – let’s get to the untold story of Matt Leblanc, amirite?) Eleven-year-old newcomer Mackenzie Foy nabbed the role of Renesmee, and from the looks of EW’s preview she gets considerable face time with not only her vampire parents (and Jacob — more on that in a bit) but with the various assembled international vampires that gather to rally around the Cullen clan as the evil Volturi vamps head to America to wipe them out. EW’s Twilight issue hits stands June 15, along with new images from the film. Take a look at the Cullen brood… And the various global vampire clans that gather in Breaking Dawn – Part 2 : Of course, Dakota Fanning returns with the Volturi… …and Vampire Bella is strong enough to arm-wrestle Emmett… …but let’s talk about Jacob and Renesmee and the love that dare not speak its name: Imprinting. Scans of the EW cover story have already leaked, revealing bits of the cast and director interviews discussing the set, casting Foy (“Even our hands look similar,” marvels Stewart), etc. But let’s jump right over to the elephant in the room, shall we? Lautner addresses his Breaking Dawn challenge — making Jacob “imprint” on his soulmate, baby Renesmee, without making it feel, you know, creepy (via Nessie-Mackenzie.com ): …talking to Stephenie Meyer and diving back into the book got him more comfortable with the notion of being in love with a child. “Everyone likes to tease me about it,” he says. “Everyone thinks it’s so funny, and I laugh along with them, but it’s important for me to keep in my mind that it’s as simple as a lifelong bond. It’s not nearly as creepy as everybody likes to joke.” That “everybody” includes Pattinson, needless to say. “Oh, I can’t wait till he has to do live TV,” Pattinson says of Lautner with a gleeful cackle. “Did you ask him if his taste in women has changed? The first scene I saw them together, I literally could not stop laughing. I wouldn’t have been able to do it.” Well, good luck to Lautner. I don’t care if Stewart had to wear uncomfortable contact lenses, he’s officially got the hardest job of anyone on Twilight . Look for more in EW’s June 22 issue. [ EW ]
‘Twilight’ star will play a frat brother in the Adam Sandler sequel, co-star Milo Ventimiglia tells MTV News. By Josh Wigler, with reporting by Josh Horowitz Taylor Lautner Photo: Getty Images Once upon a time, Milo Ventimiglia was a superhero. No, really! You remember “Heroes,” don’t you? His character, Peter Petrelli, had the ability to leach powers from any other superpowered individual he encountered. Now, if those powers actually belonged to Ventimiglia in real life, he would be the proud owner of the most-talked-about abs in Hollywood — because he’s about to team up with “Twilight” hunk Taylor Lautner, on a comedy, no less. During our Sneak Peek Week presentation with the “That’s My Boy” cast , Ventimiglia spoke about his upcoming work on “Grown Ups 2,” the upcoming follow-up to Adam Sandler’s most successful comedy to date. The actor, sporting a bleach-blond hairdo, insisted that he’s not “just blond because I took up volleyball” but because he’s about to bro down with Sandler and the artist occasionally known as Jacob Black. “I’m going on to do ‘Grown Ups 2,’ ” Ventimiglia said during the live Q&A, all part of the lead-up to Sunday night’s MTV Movie Awards . “I’m [working] with Taylor Lautner. We’re playing fraternity brothers. I haven’t started [shooting] — I’m heading out the day after tomorrow — but I met him. He’s a sweet kid. A very, very nice guy.” Ventimiglia already has one Sandler film in the can, of course. The actor, next seen on Frank Darabont’s TNT drama “L.A. Noir,” delivers a shockingly hilarious turn in “That’s My Boy” as Chad, a hard-nosed military man with a secret passion for tickle times and jazz hands. With that movie hitting theaters June 15 and “Grown Ups 2” on the horizon, Ventimiglia said he truly feels like he’s part of the Happy Madison family that Sandler has established over the years. “I’m in the family now,” he said. “The first phone call I got from him, he said, ‘Hey, buddy, it’s going to be like summer camp.’ Summer camp? Summer camp is fun, so if it’s anything like that, it’s going to be great.” Head over to MovieAwards.MTV.com to vote for your favorite flicks now! The 21st annual MTV Movie Awards air live Sunday, June 3, at 9 p.m. ET. Related Videos Movie Awards Sneak Peek Week: ‘That’s My Boy’
In lead up to Sunday’s MTV Movie Awards, ‘Twilight’ producer promises vampire series finale will give fans ‘closure.’ By Kara Warner Kristen Stewart in “Breaking Dawn – Part 2” Photo: Summit Judging by everything we know about the fifth and final installment in the “Twilight” series, “Breaking Dawn – Part 2” is going to be a fitting, action-packed and altogether epic conclusion to the
For ‘Twilight’ Tuesday, we chat with experts about why young readers relate to the YA heroines. By Kara Warner Jennifer Lawrence in “The Hunger Games” Photo: Lionsgate No matter how you feel about “The Twilight Saga” as a film franchise, Stephenie Meyer ‘s vampire romance inspired millions of young readers to pick up a book and read. Anything that gets young people to lose themselves in the written word — whether it’s “Twilight,” “The Hunger Games” or “Game of Thrones” — is a positive step. This week’s “Twilight” Tuesday is all about understanding what it is exactly about the characters in these books, particularly the very popular YA genre, that gets us obsessed and day-dreamy about them. Why do we love Bella and Katniss? What does that say about young readers today and the future of the genre? I took my questions to a few very informed experts. “The thing with the Bella phenomenon, she was kinda like an empty vessel, and I feel like part of the appeal there was just a really blank slate on which people could project their own identities,” said Lauren Oliver, best-selling author of “Delirium” and “Pandemonium.” “It was fantasy. It allowed you to float up through it. “In terms of heroines now, I think what’s really interesting about them is that, many of them, for example ‘The Hunger Games,’ certainly in my books, the characters don’t necessarily start out being so fierce and badass, which I think to some extent would be not even off-putting, but alienating,” she continued. “Because I’m not sure that people feel that way. I do think what’s significant is that these characters are portrayed as being very much at the start, normal girls, but very moral normal girls who because of a set of very extraordinary circumstances are able to step into strength that they didn’t know they possessed. I think that really resonates with people because everybody I assume would like to feel that, if given the chance, they could be someone special.” Dr. Jenn Berman, host and therapist on VH1’s “Couples Therapy” said the love for both types of heroines hearkens back to classic literary characters we’ve loved for centuries. “Both characters are appealing on a very archetypal level. One is very much a damsel in distress, this sort of empty, insecure vessel, which I think is very identifiable for young women,” she explained. “The other is sort of this superhero, strong, independent woman who doesn’t need anybody, which I think is also something that is very inspirational for women. In each one of us we have both of those entities, and as a result, people are drawn to these characters.” Kristin Rens, senior editor at HarperCollins, pointed out that while Bella and Katniss are pretty different, they also share a few qualities to which a lot of teens relate. “Bella and Katniss are obviously very different characters. But one thing they have in common is their drive — the fact that they both very much know what they want, and they won’t stop until they reach their goals,” Rens said. “When you’re a teen, there are so many parts of life that are out of your hands, so there’s something very aspirational and appealing about characters like Bella and Katniss who are able to take control of their own lives, even when the odds are stacked against them.” Dr. Berman added that we all have a little damsel in distress in us, as well as a superhero; the trick is balancing them. “In order to become fully formed people, we have to find a way to both make friends with our damsel in distress and find a way to rescue her on our own,” she said. “As long as you understand why and what you need to do with that archetype, it’s OK, but to romanticize the damsel-in-distress archetype, you set yourself up for unhealthy relationships. What you do [to prevent that] is you say, ‘Wow, there is a part of me that would really like to be rescued, but I’m not going to give into that part of me. I’m going to rescue myself instead.’ ” The same goes for the superhero Katniss archetype, however, in that romanticizing that type of woman can also set you up for an unhealthy perspective. “Healthy relationships aren’t interdependent,” Berman said. “If you are an island, then you’re not having an emotionally intimate relationship, so the truth of a healthy relationship lies somewhere in between both of these archetypes.” How do you relate to Bella? Let us know in the comments below, or tweet me @karawarner! Check out everything we’ve got on “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com . Related Videos MTV Rough Cut: ‘The Hunger Games’ Related Photos The Hunger Games Twilight: Breaking Dawn
“It was creepy … in a good way,” special effects supervisor tells MTV News of creating the Kristen Stewart look-alike. By Kara Warner Kristen Stewart in “Breaking Dawn – Part 1” Photo: Summit Entertainment For all the “Twilight” fans familiar with “Breaking Dawn,” via both Stephenie Meyer’s source material as well as the movie “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1,” you know that the much-discussed, heavily hyped birth scene is one of the more graphic and disturbing scenes in all of Meyer’s mostly PG-rated world. It’s safe to say that curiosity was fully piqued when it came to seeing how director Bill Condon decided to adapt it in the film. In a nutshell, the scene is pretty graphic and cringe-worthy. For those who have seen the “Making Of” documentary with the recently released DVD/Blu-Ray or happened to catch the sneak peek MTV News got ahead of time last week, you’ve been introduced to the Bella doll that the filmmaking team used in place of Kristen Stewart for a few scenes. This week’s Twilight Tuesday brings you a few fun details about the making of the doll, to which I affectionately refer as “Robot Bella” (even though it/she is clearly not a robot). According to John Rosengrant, the film’s animatronics and special makeup effects supervisor, the idea behind the creation of the Bella replica doll was to make the birthing/near-death scene appear as real as possible and to show Bella in her very emaciated form that Meyer describes in the book. “It’s very hybrid, the approach,” he told MTV News. “We tried to shape the whole Bella, what she looks like emaciated and all that, but it’s also digitally augmented, and that was from the get-go, this was going to be a hybrid-type effect.” If you look closely at the features of the doll, especially when Robert Pattinson is shown acting out that very emotional scene with it, there is a creepy element involved. “It was creepy when we created the look of her, in a good way,” Rosengrant said. “I was actually shocked that that was the edict and I think that is maybe [credit] to Bill Condon as the director, wanting to make something like that real because the previous movies didn’t strike me that they would embrace something like this.” What are you looking forward to most in “Breaking Dawn Part 2”? Leave your comment below! Check out everything we’ve got on “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1.” For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com . Related Videos Live From The ‘Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part 1′ Red Carpet MTV News’ Comic-Con Takeover ‘Breaking Dawn’ Special
File under “Duh”: Summit and new overlords Lionsgate say they’d totally be interested in making a sixth Twilight movie , y’know, if author Stephenie Meyer is into it. I get it! It’s hard to pass up another shot at making hundreds of millions of dollars, not to mention fortunes in merchandising. And it’s not like we didn’t see this coming; with a first trailer for Breaking Dawn Part 2 set to be attached to Lionsgate’s Hunger Games in theaters next month, the studio’s pushing hard to make the most of its newfound YA synergy. How can it not try and keep the Twilight cash train rolling? Well, for starters, there’s a very good reason that a sixth, post- Breaking Dawn Pts. 1 & 2 sequel hasn’t been developed yet: With the exception of a supplemental novella ( The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner ) written to coincide with events of the third film, Eclipse , Meyer moved on to other properties like The Host , which is also being made into a film. A fifth Twilight novel, Midnight Sun , was once set to retell Twilight from Edward’s point of view, but Meyer herself spiked it when portions of her manuscript leaked online. (Meyer then posted it here .) Ever since then she’s kind of seemed done with writing more Twilight , even if the door has never been closed completely . And with Meyer so intrinsically linked to the film franchise, a sixth Twilight film would necessarily have to involve Meyer writing a fifth story (her fourth and final Twilight novel, Breaking Dawn , was split into a two-part film adaptation, the second of which hits screens this year). But even if Meyer agrees to a fifth book and sixth film, the motivation of continuing an otherwise concluded series might seem terribly transparent, and opportunistic, to a fanbase that adores the author as much for her vampire fantasy as for her openness with them over the years. Would Twilight fans eat up another chapter of Bella Swan’s life? Without a doubt, especially given the events that conclude the series in Breaking Dawn . But would it somehow cheapen the billion dollar franchise and the dedicated fandom that drives it? The question becomes less about the studios chasing sequels and more about how much Meyer is willing to risk signing off on, and how much her fans will care about the integrity of the franchise if it means they get another Twilight book and film. For many, I’m sure, the series could happily go on forever, manga-style, until the end of time. But as much as Lionsgate could conceivably milk Twilight for years and years to come, I’d like to think Twi-hards, who’ve had to defend themselves from global scrutiny for years and have been gleefully marketed to and squeezed of cash by savvy suits ever since 2008, would draw the line at some point. It’s a debate that J.K. Rowling faces, too, now that the Harry Potter saga has ended, on page and screen. But just as Daniel Radcliffe and Co. are moving on with their careers, so too do the Twilight kids seem ready to spread their wings. The end, it’s seemed for a while, is welcome in many regards. Their time with the franchise has been good — and has made stars of them all, considering that even previously unknown actors like Ashley Greene , for example, are now fronting their own films — but you get the feeling even the actors might dread another go-round (not to mention the fact that some of them are aging past the point of believable onscreen immortality). And so there are new franchises ready to follow the Twilight pattern of success, which brings us to The Hunger Games . Suzanne Collins only wrote three novels in her dystopian bestseller series, and yet, as confirmed last summer , Lionsgate plans on making four films from the series. Unlike Breaking Dawn , which contained a fairly obvious plot break at which the story could be divided, the third Hunger Games book, Mockingjay , seems less conducive to being split into two parts. I’d rather see it all go down in one part, personally, but here Lionsgate’s thinking is more conspicuous. Now that Summit has been slurped up by Lionsgate, I’ll be even less surprised if that cash-grabbing thought process is applied to Twilight . (Incidentally, Breaking Dawn Part 1 hits DVD and Blu-ray tonight.) Let’s just hope someone up there shows some restraint, sooner or later, whether it’s the suits, the stars, or Stephenie Meyer herself. Follow Jen Yamato on Twitter . Follow Movieline on Twitter .
This week’s ‘Twilight’ Tuesday takes a closer look at why fans chose Robert Pattinson’s indie over ‘Breaking Dawn – Part 2.’ By Kara Warner Robert Pattinson and Sarah Gadon in “Cosmopolis” Photo: Alfama Films Over the course of the “Twilight Saga” movies, we at MTV News have come a long way in understanding the franchise’s very passionate fanbase. So when we launched the MTV Movie Brawl 2012 , I thought there was a very good chance “Twilight” fans would vote “Breaking Dawn – Part 2” through to the championship round and into the championship slot, no problem. I was wrong. “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” was ousted early, in the second round, by eventual champ “Cosmopolis.” Yes, the two films share a very popular star in Robert Pattinson, but compared with the millions upon millions of “Twilight” fans who have read all of Stephenie Meyer’s books, we’re guessing not as many are familiar with “Cosmopolis” through its source material by Don DeLillo. So here’s what I think: All of you wonderfully dedicated Pattinson fans are in it for the long haul. You’re choosing to grow and evolve right along with Pattinson and the ebbs and flows of his chosen profession. That sentiment is exemplified perfectly by this poignant comment by MTV community member and Pattinson fan, Lior : “VOTE COSMOPOLIS! Support Rob’s new, professional career! SEE HIS TALENT BEYOND TWILIGHT.” Not that the excitement for the final chapter in “The Twilight Saga” has lessened in any way, of course, but because there’s more mystery surrounding “Cosmopolis,” it is the more intriguing of the two films. And let’s not forget about Pattinson’s other upcoming film, “Bel Ami,” which only narrowly lost to “Cosmopolis” in that first round. I would have thought the interest in seeing RPattz’s bare behind on the big screen would have easily trumped the film about a fully clothed young finance wiz taking a day-long limo ride though New York City. Consider me very pleasantly surprised. What do you think, “Twilight” fans? Why did “Cosmopolis” triumph over “Breaking Dawn – Part 2”? Let us know in the comments or tweet me @karawarner! Check out everything we’ve got on “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2.” For young Hollywood news, fashion and “Twilight” updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com .
The wedding dress that Kristen Stewart wears as Bella Swan in Breaking Dawn was custom-made, gorgeous… and darn expensive! Speaking to E! News, author Stephenie Meyer says she personally selected designer Carolina Herrera to come up with the gown because she wanted it “to be something special, not something that you’re going to see every day.” Hence the crepe satin, French Chantilly Lace and nearly 200 button across the back and sleeves. THEY DO! “I love what Carolina did with it, she came up with a stunning concept. It’s similar to what I envisioned, but with added elements,” Meyer says . Want one yourself for when you walk down the aisle? A replica version is available right now from Alfred Angelo bridal dress company. It’s priced at $799 . But Herrera plans to include the real gown in her 2012 collection, which will be on sale at CHNY boutiques. It might set you back a few allowances, though: expect it to cost around $35,000.
