INTERVIEW: MELISSA ROSENBERG ON NEW MOON, ECLIPSE, AND BREAKING DAWN’S POTENTIAL MPAA RATING
from film.com:
Laremy Legel of Film.com sat down with screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg and discussed what it has been like to adapt the first three Twilight Saga books to a film format, working with three different directors for the series, as well as what fans can expect for Breaking Dawn.
LL: Do you approach each project, as a writer, with the core audience in mind? In other words, do you think, “Well, this is for a teen, and this is for an adult, so I’ve got to handle it this way?”
MR: No, I really don’t. It really isn’t about age. It’s really about writing character and emotion, and the emotional journey. If you start writing to an audience you’re talking down to them. I’ve never written for any age group, I just write character. If you can capture that you’ll get the audiences, and it will be a wide range, as it is for Twilight, it’s a pretty wide range. That stems from Stephenie [Meyer] — I’m adapting her stories, I didn’t invent any of this, but my job is to adapt it and keep the story as universal it was in the novels.
LL: Can you give me one sentence on each director you’ve worked with, what their main strength is, for The Twilight Saga?
MR: Catherine Hardwicke, she brought a very intimate feel. She had a very indie sensibility, she brought those characters to the screen in a very intimate way.
Chris Weitz did sweeping drama. Beautiful visually, and very classic epic storytelling.
David Slade, so far (the process isn’t done yet), brings a level of pacing and intensity.
LL: If an adaptation felt to you like an R rating, but the studio wanted you to bring it in at a PG-13, would that be doable?
MR: Oh yeah. It’s completely doable. You don’t sacrifice story by cutting language. Nor do you sacrifice story by showing less blood or gore, or whatever it is that’s bringing you to an R rating. It doesn’t hurt it. When Dexter was aired on CBS they had to re-cut some of it for network television and all they had to do was cut some language. There’s more blood and gore in an episode of C.S.I., though of course Dexter is more disturbing. Not because of what you see, but because of what’s implied. I don’t think you take away from suspense or character by altering a few things like that.
LL: Having read Breaking Dawn, where things get ratcheted up a notch, do you still go for that PG-13 rating?
MR: Oh yeah, absolutely. That’s your audience. In this series you don’t sacrifice anything. There are some movies that wouldn’t play at PG-13, like The Hangover, but this is just not one of them for me. Again, if you’re capturing character, emotion, and emotional journey, you’re OK.
DIGITAL LIFE: GET FIRST BITE OF TWILIGHT NOVELLA
As you are most likely aware, Stephenie Meyer is releasing a novella about the life of newborn vampire Bree Tanner. The novella is the result of writing that she did for The Twilight Saga: The Official Guide. The story also came in handy on the “Eclipse” set to help the actors portraying Victoria, Riley, and Bree develop their characters and better understand their situation. The novella will be released digitally on June 5, 2010, and will be FREE online at www.breetanner.com. Fans wishing to obtain a hardback copy of the novella can purchase one from their favorite book retailer and one dollar from each book sold will go to benefit the American Red Cross.
KELLAN LUTZ ON JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE – TALKS CALVIN KLEIN, KAMA SUTRA, AND MORE
Twilight’s Kellan Lutz appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night to promote his upcoming film – a remake of Nightmare on Elm Street. The lively conversation covered many topics ranging from Kellan’s mom not sending him an Easter basket this year to the Kama Sutra.
VAMPIRE BASEBALL COMING TO SALT LAKE CITY MAY 22, 2010
Cast members from “Twilight” and “New Moon” will join with Olympic athletes for another round of vampire baseball in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday, May 22, 2010. As of today, the roster includes Alex Meraz (Paul), Chaske Spencer (Sam Uley), Tyson Houseman (Quil Atera), Alexander Mendeluk (one of the “frat boys” in “Twilight), Ted Ligety (Olympic gold medalist), and Louie Vito (professional snowboarder). Cost of the tickets is $25 and the event benefits Special Olympics of Utah. You can upgrade your ticket for additional fan perks that include:
- Personal Photo Op Tickets
- Personal Autograph Tickets
- Exclusive Cozy Cocoa Meet and Greets
DAVID WALLIAMS TIPPED FOR “BREAKING DAWN” ROLE
from marieclaire.co.uk:
The TV funny man has reportedly been approached and asked to audition for a role in Breaking Dawn – the fourth film in the Twilight saga, which would see him star alongside leads Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
Apparently, Walliams is being sought for the role of a vampire, The Sun claims. Which character he is being considered for though remains under wraps.
I have to admit that I agree with Melissa Rosenberg that a PG-13 rating is completely feasible for “Breaking Dawn”. Just because there’s a honeymoon scene, that doesn’t mean that we have to actually see Bella and Edward bumpin’ uglies. A few strategic shots will get the point across just fine. We don’t necessarily need to see Edward ripping Bella’s abdomen open with his teeth to birth their child. To show something so graphic really is insulting to the fans to think that we can’t figure things out without having it in gory detail on the screen. We’re smart people…we can put two and two together.
So…will you be getting the digital download of the novella? Do you plan to purchase it as well?
I loved seeing Kellan’s interview with Jimmy Kimmel. He seems so completely laid-back. It’s such a contrast to what we see with Robert and Kristen and their nervousness over all of the attention. I really hope that we get to see more Emmett in “Eclipse” and I can’t wait to see if they do him justice in “Breaking Dawn” with his incessant teasing of Bella and Edward about their sex life.
Is anyone planning to go to the vampire baseball event in Salt Lake City? If so, we’d love for you to tell us about your experience. You could be a contributor to OBS with your vampire baseball story!
So, who do you think that David Walliams could be playing in “Breaking Dawn” if there’s truth to this casting rumor? My money is on Alistair. What’s your guess?
What do you think of today’s Twilight news? Join us in the forum and share your thoughts with us. We’d love to hear from you!
