The Twilight franchise is one of the most beloved and disliked books and movie series of all time. It's the series that inspired many people, from teens to busy moms, to read in the first place while simultaneously spawning conversations about toxic relationships and harm among teen couples. It gave parents a way to connect with their teens and point out what to do, and not do, in a healthy relationship. Love it or dislike it, it's an incredibly successful product that's earned hundreds of millions of dollars, paved the way for many other fantasy and YA adaptations to be made, and still manages to carry a heavy fan following years after Breaking Dawn: Part 2 was released in theaters.
Many of the cast members of the series enjoyed great success as well, earning the film a fond place in their hearts. Most of the movie's stars, particularly those who went on to make even bigger films, say that they found the job a pleasant one and are grateful for the experience and exposure they received from the film series. Only a handful of celebrities who starred in the Twilight franchise seem to regret their decision, some of them being extremely vocal regarding their displeasure. Then there are celebrities like Anna Kendrick, who has gone on to much bigger and better things in her career and expressed both gratitude and unhappiness regarding the movie.
You might be surprised to discover which 3 Actors Who Regretted Being In The Original Twilight (And 17 Who Loved It).
Loved: Rami Malek
Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek is everyone's favorite these days, especially after the success of not only the Freddy Mercury biopic but his hit show Mr. Robot. The American actor's Egyptian heritage made him an authentic choice for the role of Benjamin in Breaking Dawn, and while the nature-influencing vampire made by Amun didn't have an enormous role in the movie, he definitely left an impression among fans.
Malek said that at first, he felt shock, especially given how popular the series was, but later he felt as if he made a great decision selecting the role. He said that he also had a great time making the movie. He also seemed to have some fun making up stories about his time on the set, especially with his more well-known costars at the time.
Loved: Lee Pace
Most know Lee Pace from his roles in films like The Hobbit and Guardians of the Galaxy, and TV shows like Pushing Daisies, but the actor played the formerly nomadic vampire named Garrett in the final installment of the Twilight film series, Breaking Dawn--Part 2. He was a striking mate to the vegetarian vampire Kate of the Denali coven.
Pace is far removed from his haughty alter ego, Thranduil the Elvenking of the Hobbit franchise, and is grateful for his time spent in the Twilight franchise. He's stated that he really appreciates how the fandom brings a community of people together, and that some of his Twilight fans even came to see him on stage in the play The Golden Age while he was in the production.
Regretted: Anna Kendrick
One of the most successful people who walked away from the Twilight movies, Anna Kendrick had the minor role of Bella's bubbly buddy Jessica Stanley when she was 23 years old. Kendrick has expressed complex emotions regarding her time among the vampires of Forks, and she's certainly come a long way since then with roles in hit movies like Pitch Perfect, Up in the Air, and A Simple Favor.
In some accounts, such as Kendrick's book Scrappy Little Nobody, she makes that period of her life sound uncomfortable at best. There were definitely times when it sounds like being in the production was pretty terrible. She's even stated that she's forgotten being in the series since then in a Tweet!
Loved: Anna Kendrick
Speaking of Anna Kendrick, guess who also loved being in the Twilight movies? Anna Kendrick! The actress admits that the experience at least kept her fed and housed during her years as an otherwise struggling actress. She revealed, "The series kept me in room and board while I did (other) movies for no money. It was like the world's most ridiculous day job."
Kendrick actually made more money working on New Moon than she did in the film Up in the Air, the latter of which earned her an Oscar nomination. Even if Kendrick didn't exactly love the work itself, she loved the freedom that it gave her to pursue roles she preferred while being able to eat and stay warm at the same time.
Loved: Gil Birmingham
Jacob Black's father Billy is easily one of the most likable adults in the Twilight series, and the actor who plays him, Gil Birmingham, has expressed pride in taking part in the films. "It speaks to the longing that I think we all have, to love and to wanna be loved—and higher aspirations of ourselves... It’s not filled with [other bad stuff]. It makes you feel good.”
Birmingham even says that there are parts of his character that are very much like himself, which may be another reason why he enjoyed the role so much. He also pointed out that author Stephenie Meyer painted the indigenous tribes in her book in a positive light since they only transform to protect the land itself.
Loved: Mackenzie Foy
Young Mackenzie Foy was delightful as little quick-growing Renesmee Cullen and she's expressed a great deal of happiness and pride regarding her time with the cast. She said it was "truly an amazing experience," going on to call Kristen Stewart the sweetest person she's ever met, as a funny, happy and "really cool person."
She also says that she enjoyed working with Robert Pattinson, whom she dubbed funny, silly, and just a person she loved to be around. Given that she was a 10-year-old girl at the time, it's really no wonder that she enjoyed working with the young adult actors who were so popular at the time, but we're glad to hear that her experience was a positive one, nonetheless.
Loved: Mia Maestro
Like the Cullen coven, the Denali vampires have had their share of pain and heartache, particularly after losing their mother after she chose to make an immortal child and suffered the consequence. Actress Mia Maestro was selected to portray Carmen, and the Alias and Savages star seems to have thoroughly enjoyed being in the project.
Starring with her friend Maggie Grace certainly helped, but Maestro was also proud of the film that she made, saying that its strong mythology and the influx of new characters made Breaking Dawn Part 2 especially interesting. "I’m so pleased with the movie and the ending. It’s so epic," she confessed, adding that the knowledgeable fan base of the series is also made up of "lovely, beautiful people and really sweet."
Loved: Dakota Fanning
Dakota Fanning has had a solid fan following since her days as a young actress in TV shows like CSI and films like I Am Sam and Man on Fire. The Twilight Saga featured her in one of her first more grown-up roles long before she could be seen in films like Ocean's Eight or shows like The Alienist. As a fan of the series who had read all of the books, Fanning had much knowledge prior to joining the cast as the cruel Volturi vampire, Jane.
"I was really excited to be a part of it," Fanning said, adding that the role of a villain was especially enticing. "And that’s kind of a fascinating character to get to play. So that was definitely one of the reasons that I wanted to do it."
Regretted: Robert Pattinson
Although he was arguably the star of the entire franchise, no one seemed to dislike his role in it more than Robert Pattinson. The Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire star has been incredibly vocal about his dislike for not only the franchise but for his character, Edward Cullen. He started with subtle hints that fans quickly deciphered, but it didn't take long until he was full-on turning on the series.
Pattinson has stated things like, "I could never legitimize why a 108-year-old guy would want to still be in high school" and many other flaws regarding his character. He also criticized the romance between Edward and Bella and said, when asked if he'd take anything from the set when he left, "My dignity."
Loved: Wendell Pierce
Wendell Pierce really wanted to be in the Twilight film Breaking Dawn. He didn't do it to buff up his resume but to impress his nieces and nephew! Pierce said, "I have some teenage nieces and a nephew, and they never get to see anything I do... When they found out I was in Twilight, oh my God. 'Uncle Wendell’s in Twilight!'"
As J. Jenks, the lawyer who works with Jasper in the film, Pierce didn't have a huge role, but given that the actor is much better known for his roles on TV shows like The Wire, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, and Chicago P.D., it's cool that he has a claim to fame that impresses the teenagers in his family.
Loved: Elizabeth Reaser
Actress Elizabeth Reaser, who played the Cullen family matriarch Esme in the series, has had nothing but glowing things to say about her castmates, even if she says that she's nothing like her character. Reaser has said that it was a good thing for her to play Esme, however, since playing a maternal character makes her a better person. "When I'm working, and I'm always trying to see people in their best light, it makes me a more generous person to play Esme, because I don't feel that."
She went on to complement Bryce Dallas Howard, stating that the kind actress would be more akin to the character. She's also praised the lead actors of the series as well as author Stephenie Meyer for "beautiful, amazing, great storytelling."
Loved: Maggie Grace
Like her friend Mia Maestro, Maggie Grace, star of the Taken franchise and Lost, has nothing but positive things to say about being in the Twilight family. She says that there's a lot of Twilight knowledge to sift through but fans were especially helpful in giving the actress tips about the series. As a "Janeite," or member of the Jane Austen Society, Grace says she understands and respects how much fans come to care about their fandoms.
Grace has stated that she loves how the fandom brings a community of people who love it together, and that the film helped her with her own friendships. "We are really good friends with Julia Jones so vampires and werewolves can be friends."
Loved: Billy Burke
One of the best characters in the entire series is Bella's father Charlie, and Billy Burke certainly did the character justice on screen. Burke has stated that he and Kristen Stewart became fast friends during filming and the young actress helped him understand what parenthood might be like for him in the future, when his daughter, an infant during filming, would be older.
Burke has also stated that he hopes his daughter is like Bella, whom he refers to as an old soul. He said that he'd like his daughter to be a worldly person in her future, even if, like most parents, he doesn't want that future to approach too quickly, and he seems to have really enjoyed his time working as a father in the films as well.
Loved: Noel Fisher
Vladimir doesn't have a prominent role in the Twilight books or films, but Noel Fisher still enjoyed playing the Romanian vampire in Breaking Dawn--Part 2. "No, that's going to be awesome. I had a great time shooting that, and I can't wait until I can see some of it. I'm excited to see myself all vamped up on screen," he said. He elaborated that he and his castmates did some "really cool stuff" in the film and seemed quite proud of the result.
Most recently seen in the series Castle Rock, Shameless, and The Red Line, Fisher wasn't as well-known during his Twilight days, despite appearing on several TV shows and films. Today he's a beloved actor many fans enjoy watching.
Loved: Jamie Campbell Bower
Way back before his days as Young Grindelwald, Jace Herondale and Christopher Marlowe, Jamie Campbell Bower starred as one of the Volturi in the Twilight films, Caius. Bower has given some fun interviews about his role and spoken about interesting fan interactions, saying that he loves his fans and seemed to enjoy his role in the series. Bower also says that he just loves to be working, period, which is refreshing for an actor to say.
Bower has starred in several big fantasy productions, such as Camelot, and is supposed to be in the upcoming Game of Thrones prequel as well. Fans also remember his earnest portrayal of Anthony in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Loved: Bryce Dallas Howard
Although Bryce Dallas Howard wasn't the original Victoria in Twilight, showrunners opted to replace Rachelle Lefevre with her in an attempt to land a larger name to help promote the second installment of the series. The move hurt Lefevre, who played the role well in the first movie, but Howard says that she really enjoyed her time as the vengeful vampire who started a war.
A self-proclaimed Twi-Hard who loved the books, Howard says that she felt intimidated when she first landed the coveted role, but in the end, she dubbed it a fantastic experience. The Jurassic World star did painfully dislocate her wrist during filming! Many of the actors were injured during the fight scenes as they worked to make them appear authentic.
Loved: Peter Facinelli
It's no wonder that one of the kindest vampires in the series, Carlisle Cullen, was played by someone as affable as Peter Facinelli. Facinelli has expressed the most joy for playing his Twilight character, saying that he plans to dress up as Carlisle in order to perform at birthday parties and bat mitzvahs!
The Supergirl and S.W.A.T. actor said he mourned leaving the franchise, especially its fans, who were very supportive. He even said that he often feels depressed for a few days once a character he's played is gone because it's as if a piece of him is missing. Although he was thankful to stop filming after six months of working, Facinelli says that he will always look forward to Comic-Con and signing those autographs.
Regretted: Kristen Stewart
By now it's no secret that Kristen Stewart, the star of the Twilight franchise, ultimately regrets her decision in portraying Bella Swan. While many have dubbed her ungrateful for the opportunity, they fail to see it from her perspective. "I did Twilight when I was 17, it came out when I was 18 and my life was never even remotely the same," she said, referring to the constant criticisms of everything from her appearance to her personal life due to working in the movie.
Portraying a cultural icon like Swan is always going to come with its heavy share of burdens and it's too bad that Stewart wasn't able to enjoy the success of her work while being at the heart of the media frenzy.
Loved: Jackson Rathbone
While Jasper, the youngest vampire in the Cullen coven, isn't one of the main characters in the series, actor and musician Jackson Rathbone had plenty of important scenes in the series. The Last Airbender actor says that while he hadn't read the books prior to being cast, he did afterward and understood their popularity.
In addition to loving all of the stunt work he was able to perform in the series, Rathbone has been vocal about how he really enjoyed his time with his Twilight family both on and off set, revealing that he and the rest of the Cullen clan had sing-alongs, family dinners, and many other enjoyable moments together while they weren't filming.
Loved: Michael Sheen
Welsh actor Michael Sheen might be better known for his role in Showtime's Masters of [Affection], which earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination, but the actor, who will be starring as the angel Aziraphale in the upcoming adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Good Omens, was once the head honcho of the Volturi, Aro.
Sheen says that he wasn't excited about being in the series originally, but he had to do the role in order to make his daughter, Lily, a fan of the Twilight series, content. He also stated that he read and enjoyed the books. Sheen loves acting in general and has said, "I would do this job even if nobody paid me. If nobody cast me I would still be acting in my living room!"