Key Takeaways:
– Before Robert Pattinson was cast, Twilight fans favored Hayden Christensen for the role of Edward Cullen.
– Stephanie Meyer, the author of Twilight, wanted Henry Cavill to play the part.
– Despite mixed reviews for his portrayal of Anakin Skywalker, Hayden Christensen’s fame elevated him to the top of fans’ choice.
In A Parallel Universe, Superman Might Have Been a Vampire
Henry Cavill, celebrated for his roles as Superman and The Witcher, could have taken on a very different persona in 2008. Had things worked out differently, he might have been cast as a vampire.
In an alternative reality, Cavill could have been Edward Cullen in Twilight. But fans had a different actor in mind, as the announcement from Stephanie Meyer, the author of Twilight, revealed: the top choice was Hayden Christensen.
Hayden Christensen: Twilight Fans’ Top Choice
Hayden Christensen is best known for his portrayal of Anakin Skywalker, who famously became Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise. This knight of the Star Wars universe first made his debut in the 2002 film Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
Although his performance as Skywalker was met with mixed reviews, Christensen was a firm favorite among Twilight fans. According to Stephanie Meyer, he was their top choice for the role of Edward Cullen.
Meyer, however, had a different opinion, as revealed in her blog. Her personal preference for Edward Cullen was none other than Henry Cavill. In her words, “The most disappointing thing for me is losing my perfect Edward. Henry Cavill is now twenty-four-years-old. I’m not willing to relinquish Henry completely”.
The Actors Who Might Have Been Edward Cullen
While Cavill did not join the Twilight team, Meyer disclosed a list of actors chosen by fans to play Edward Cullen (in order of popularity):
1. Hayden Christensen
2. Robert Pattinson
3. Orlando Bloom
4. Gerard Way
In the end, Robert Pattinson was cast as Edward Cullen, which catapulted him to fame in Hollywood. The prospect of Christensen, known widely as Anakin Skywalker, portraying Edward Cullen, however, remains an intriguing scenario.
Stephanie Meyer’s Perspective on Robert Pattinson’s Casting
When Summit Entertainment began casting for Twilight, Robert Pattinson was finalised for the lead role, Edward Cullen, with Kristen Stewart portraying Bella Swan.
Meyer shared comments on Pattinson taking up her iconic literary character’s role on her blog. She was thrilled with Summit’s choice; her blog post read, “I am ecstatic with Summit’s choice for Edward. There are very few actors who can look both dangerous and beautiful at the same time, and even fewer who I can picture in my head as Edward. Robert Pattinson is going to be amazing.”
Indeed, Twilight marked a significant turning point for Pattinson. Despite the series receiving average ratings, it has become a widely-known phenomenon.
Conclusion: What Could Have Been
Twilight and its sequels, despite their average ratings of 5.3/10 on IMDB and a 49% average on Rotten Tomatoes, continue to be popular amongst viewers. All installments are currently available for rent on Apple TV+ in the U.S.
Thinking about what might have been will always be a fascinating diversion. The thought of Christensen, or Cavill, appearing in the role instead of Pattinson, adds a whole new dimension to the Twilight saga. Nevertheless, we can agree that Robert Pattinson’s portrayal as Edward Cullen has become an iconic part of pop culture. It’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role after his spellbinding performance.
