Idol Chatter

Is Merchandising Ruining 'Twilight'?

Tuesday July 28, 2009

twilightprom.jpgAre the stars of "Twilight" overexposed--or at least ridiculing Stephenie Meyer's smash hit beyond the tolerable? I'm starting to think so.

What makes the "Twilight Saga" so much fun, so utterly appealing, is the over-the-top star-crossed love between Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, and the subsequent love triangle Meyer creates when Jacob enters the picture in "New Moon." If you can let yourself go to that place where you can set aside the need for too much greater meaning, the series is one of the best reads around. And I know that any phenomenon that grows as big as "Twilight" has--"Harry Potter" would be another case in point--eventually gets merchandised to death by anyone and everyone who wants to make a buck. But is it possible for merchandise to ruin something altogether? Or at least make it so ridiculous that you can't enjoy it anymore?

I'm one of those people who enjoys conjuring my own images of the heroes and heroines of favorite stories--something that is typically ruined once a movie is made. Though, I suppose, as far as looks go (though not demeanor), Robert Pattinson is about as Edward-like as I can hope for (I also have to admit: I am getting tired of seeing his face everywhere I go on just about everything I can imagine).

But Jacob Black is another story. Taylor Lautner is about as far from my own idea of Jacob as can be--and then there is the problem (or what I consider a problem!) that Lautner certainly does not have long hair, and Stephenie Meyer's Jacob does. It's one of his most distinguishing features in "New Moon." Which brings me back to the merchandise issue: just the other day, I was in a Barnes & Noble, and I saw that they were selling Twilight puzzles (puzzles!!!) of all the stars--including one of Taylor Lautner with long, flowing hair photoshopped to the ends of his spiky hairdo. Gag! The puzzle bit is the first thing that made me sneer: I mean, come on--a puzzle? How unromantic can you get? But Taylor Lautner with photoshopped long, flowing hair? He may as well be Fabio. It's one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen and I don't know that I can get the image out of my head.

I think the stars of "Twilight" might be overexposed--especially Lautner since there has been so much controversy around whether or not he makes a good Jacob. People are trying too hard now, to make him into the Jacob Black Meyer first imagined. Do you agree?

Robert Pattinson

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Comments
flightless bird
July 28, 2009 7:16 PM

Did you even read New moon? one of the first things to change with the Jacob Black character during his transformation was his hair. it was croped short at around the time when Bella discovers he's a warewolf.

melissa0914
July 28, 2009 8:36 PM

I will agree with you that Twilight is being over-exposed...well more that the actors in it are being over exposed. I am absolutely SICK to death of hearing rumors about Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson and mostly because if you look at those stories you see a long list of comments of people who swallow them whole without question...

But I disagree about Taylor... have you seen the new clips of him and the motorcycle scene? I think he's going to be an AMAZING Jacob... and NOT only because he gained 30 pounds and has like an 8 pack or something ridiculous now... He embodied Jacob, to me. He said his lines just the way I read them in the book, it was great! The wig they got him for New Moon looks much more realistic than the one for Twilight did too...

Everyone has their pictures of what the characters look like... but it would be really hard to find a 'jacob' that actually had really long hair like that. The fact that he's wearing a wig doesn't bother me.

There is a bit too much merchandise out there for my tastes but hey I'm not buying it so if the younger fans want their Edward barbie dolls and comforters for their beds... go for it

Rocker Chick
July 29, 2009 6:21 AM

I think that Taylor fits the role of Jacob very well. He is one of the few actors casted that actually look like his or her character. I think Robert Pattinson makes a TERRIBLE Edward and has no acting talent. Kristen does not make a good Bella at all. In Twilight her acting plain sucks. I've seen her in other movies and she did a good job in Adventureland. Twilight...not so much. Robert and Kristen have no chemistry. Are the actors over exposed? Yes I think they are. All I here about are Robert and Kristen dating rumors and it is flat out annoying. I liked Twilight a lot more when not so many idiot girls were obsessed with it. There is nothing wrong with liking Twilight, but some need to get a reality check. I have high hopes for New Moon since they chucked that shitty director from Twilight and got a director that can actually direct. When I first saw Twilight, which was in the movie theater, I thought it was fairly good. My opinion rapidly changed after getting the movie on DVD and watching it a few more times. The more I watch Twilight the more I hate it. The movie does not do the book justice (thanks to the idiot director, screen writer, and casting director). The Twilight Saga is starting to become extremely overrated. Now that I have finish reading the series my opinion of some of the characters have changed. Edward is stupid for leaving Bella and Bella does not see things clearly. The only sane character that sees things from a clear perspective is Jacob. By the way, Midnight Sun is a rewritten version of Twilight, but from Edward's point of view. At least that is how it comes off from what was posted for the public to read. Stephenie Meyer must have run out of ideas and thought she'd get a ton more money by rewritting Twilight from a different character's perspective. I don't know about the rest of you, but I refuse to help make her more rich by buying a copy of a novel that has no new concepts in it at all. What she intended on publishing is no more then an author's way of showing that she is desperate for more money and has a serious case of writer's block. Midnight Sun should be a continuation of the series with new adventures not a lame attempt to make more money. Midnight Sun just puts the story back at square one. Well I'm done ranting about everything that is wrong with Twilight. Oh yeah, those overly obsessed fans need to cut guys a break. Vampires aren't really so stop comparing every guy you meet and know the Edward. It isn't fair to them. Believe me, I know from experience. Every guy I talk to about Twilight has nothing, but harsh things to say since the standard has been raised by a fictional character. Edward Cullen does not exist so stop comparing all guys to him. And the girl majority wonders why guys hate Twilight. It is because of the crazy obsessed chicks and the fact that Twilight is everywhere.

lp
July 29, 2009 2:01 PM

by the way he does have long hair at the start of the movie and then cuts it after her transforms. It's like that in the book too. just fyi.

Your Name
July 29, 2009 3:59 PM

I disagree about Taylor...He makes an excellent Jacob. Kristen Stewart even said that he is basically exactly like his character. In New Moon one of the first things to change with Jacob Black during his transformation was his hair. it was croped short.

But I will agree with you that Twilight is being over-exposed...Or should I say that the actors in it are being over exposed. Im an sick of hearing rumors about Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, mostly because they are so ridiculous! Yes they have amazing chemistry and are knowen as "hollywood's hottest duo" right now, but give them a little space and privacy.

Everyone has their pictures of what the characters should look like, so I respect everything you have to say about Twilight and the characters...But for me the casting was perfect for every character. I feel the cast is amazing. As for the merchandise its a little much, Im not going to say I never gave in and bought a bookmark or keychain but thats about it. I think the merchandise is more so for the younger fans and if they want their Edward and Bella barbie dolls or anything else Twilight related then go for it!

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