Imagine a scenario where Jennifer Lawrence, instead of Kristen Stewart, portrayed the iconic character Bella Swan in the widely acclaimed Twilight saga. It may seem far-fetched, but it is true that the Hunger Games star once auditioned for the lead role in the beloved franchise, only to miss out on the opportunity.
When Twilight stormed the big screen, captivating teenagers with the enthralling love triangle of Bella, Edward, and Jacob, Jennifer Lawrence surprisingly remained unaware of the frenzy surrounding the franchise. Despite the widespread fervor, Lawrence found herself disconnected from the hysteria that swept through the hearts of countless young fans.
Why Jennifer Lawrence Didn’t Get The Lead Role
Reflecting on the phenomenon, Jennifer Lawrence shared her recollection of the Twilight craze during an interview with The Guardian. Lawrence’s candid remark emphasized her unawareness of the immense impact the franchise would have on popular culture and the intense level of public attention it generated. She revealed her surprise, stating,
“I remember when the first movie came out, seeing Kristen Stewart on the red carpet and getting photographed wherever she went. I had no idea that ‘Twilight’ would become such an immense phenomenon.”
During the audition, Jennifer Lawrence was a budding actress, much like many others in the competitive landscape of Hollywood. She acknowledged the experience as just another typical audition, a sentiment she believed Kristen Stewart likely shared. Auditions are an integral part of an actor’s journey, with numerous hopefuls trying out for various roles, often without complete knowledge of the projects they’re auditioning for. Lawrence’s perspective highlights the routine nature of auditions in the lives of actors, where they continuously strive to make their mark in the industry.
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Jennifer Lawrence Wasn’t Aware Of Twilight’s Scale
Jennifer Lawrence openly confessed during an interview with Howard Stern that she knew little about the project. The audition process itself was rather straightforward: Lawrence received a few pages of the script, delivered the lines as requested—describing it as akin to asking a monkey to perform tricks—and that was the extent of her involvement. Her candid admission underscores her limited understanding of the magnitude that Twilight would ultimately attain in popular culture.
“When you audition, when you’re a run-of-the-mill actor, we’re all auditioning for all sorts of things. You just get like five pages and they’re like ‘Act, monkey!'”
The true realization of what Jennifer Lawrence had auditioned for didn’t fully sink in until after the film’s release. Witnessing the immense hype, overwhelming popularity, and passionate fandom surrounding Twilight left Lawrence astounded. She expressed her surprise, exclaiming, “And when it came out, I was like, ‘Hot damn! Woah!‘” Lawrence’s candid reaction highlights the unexpected magnitude that the franchise achieved, leaving her in awe of its cultural impact and widespread adoration.
Twilight is available for streaming on Hulu and Paramount+.
Source: The Little Facts
