In the latest issue of Rolling Stone, Kristen Stewart graces the cover and opens up about her experience starring in the wildly popular 'Twilight' franchise. As the iconic character Bella Swan, Stewart, along with her co-stars Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, became global superstars and the face of one of the most successful film series in history.
However, Stewart faced some criticism for her moody portrayal of Bella on screen. In her interview with Rolling Stone, she revealed that while some executives wanted a perkier and more upbeat Bella, she felt it was essential to stay true to the character as depicted in the book series. 'The studio was trying to make a movie for kids,' Stewart explained. 'They didn't want what actually was the book. When the f*ck are [Bella and Edward] smiling, ever?'
While Stewart's time on 'Twilight' will always be associated with her real-life relationship with co-star Robert Pattinson, she prefers not to dwell on that era years later. In her own words, she finds it 'f*cking weird' to keep talking about it, comparing the repetitive questions to asking someone about their high school years for decades on end.
Reflecting on the 'Twilight' era in a recent interview with Variety, Stewart mentioned that with time, she has started to see the queer undertones within the film saga. 'I can only see it now,' Stewart admitted. 'I don't think it necessarily started off that way, but I also think that the fact that I was there at all, it was percolating. It's such a gay movie. I mean, Jesus Christ, Taylor [Lautner] and Rob and me, and it's so hidden and not OK. I mean, a Mormon woman wrote this book. It's all about oppression, about wanting what's going to destroy you. That's a very Gothic, gay inclination that I love.'
Looking onward to her upcoming film, Stewart will be gracing the screens once again in the A24 crime thriller 'Love Lies Bleeding,' directed by Rose Glass. The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last month and received great acclaim. In the film, Stewart plays a gym manager in a small American town who falls for a bodybuilder portrayed by Katy O'Brian, only to discover that her love interest is involved in the criminal underworld controlled by her own father, portrayed by Ed Harris.
Stewart shared with Rolling Stone that she and Glass initially bonded over the film industry's misguided obsession with movies featuring strong female leads. Their goal with 'Love Lies Bleeding' was to deconstruct this archetype and challenge what it means for a female character to be 'strong.' Stewart questioned the notion, stating, 'What does that mean? It's bullshit. It means that we're not actually letting women define themselves. It's the assumption that we need to be empowered by the people deciding who gets to have perspective, that we have to provide something aspirational. It's the lowest-hanging fruit there is.'
'Love Lies Bleeding' is scheduled to open in theaters on March 8, courtesy of A24. For fans eager to learn more about Stewart's experiences and thoughts, the full cover story can be found on Rolling Stone's website.
In conclusion, Kristen Stewart's interview with Rolling Stone sheds light on her perspective regarding her time in the 'Twilight' franchise and her upcoming project 'Love Lies Bleeding.' With her unapologetic attitude and refusal to conform to societal expectations, Stewart continues to carve her own path in the entertainment industry.
