The history of the Twilight saga on film isn’t shaping up to be a smooth road, with the underwhelming success of the first film, the loss of a director and subsequent hire of a new one within a few weeks, the constant casting rumors of concrete and important characters being let go, but this latest news might actually work out in its favor.
Slashfilm is reporting that they heard from E! Online that 14-year old actress Dakota Fanning has been straight up offered the role of Jane in the upcoming and very rushed sequel New Moon. A close source to the story explains that Fanning didn’t audition for the role, they just offered her the part and now they are negotiating back and forth.
In case you are not familiar with the Twilight world (as I am not and had to ask my wife about her) and the character of Jane in the next film, she is a member of the Volturi, an Italian group of vampires who maintain vampire order and ensure that humans don’t find out about vampires’ existence. In New Moon, Edward flees to see the Volturi following a grave misunderstanding about the state of Bella’s well-being, and asks them to end his life…
According to E! Online:
“In the casting notice we got our hands on earlier this month, Jane is described as a petite blonde with a ‘Botticelli angel-like face…[and] crimson irises.’ While fellow Volturi guards Demetri & Felix ‘are three times the size of her, they are terrified of her,’ the casting notice reads.”
I know not all of you are into the world nor know enough or care enough about it to chime in, but from a movie standpoint, I see the constant casting changes and director changes as a possibly negative. There’s something to be said for continuity and consistency throughout a series, especially one as famed as the Twilight series. The Harry Potter films have sort of proven that keeping consistent directors/writers links to immediate and assured success, but one could make the case of the quality of the Potter films declining after the first 2. (well, I know I would and could since I do feel that way) But, putting aside the generic movie standpoint and after reading that description of Jane, do you think Dakota can do it?
[Source:Slashfilm]
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Scotto
This seems to “small budget” for her, but this is probably her trying to break from the “cute little girl” roles. I still havent seen Twilight or even read the books. I will have to rely on what my wife says about it and see if this is a good move for the movie series!
January 24, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Traci
I think that it is a great move!! She looks just like the Jane in my head when I read the books actually!! She is supposed to be very small and almost frail but incredibly powerful with her ‘special talent’. She can literally make you feel that your body is being electrocuted internally! It is very cool!
Now, to comment on the inconsistency that Twilight is going through is disappointing to such a huge fan as myself. However, I believe their attempts to find the perfect actors to play these huge characters that we have mapped out in our heads is good. Reading a book (as we all know) allows the reader to create the person in there mind which is impossible to 100% match in movies. There is my 2 cents.
January 26, 2009 at 6:28 am
TwilightFan
I beleive that she fits the role to a tee. Probally because she is so skilled for being so young. I think it was a good idea to cast her.
March 19, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Dan
TwilightFan, now that it has been confirmed that she will INDEED play Jane, I think it’s a smart move. Her innocence combined with a mysterious and dangerous character will provide for a great contrast.
I think, though, that the constant shifting of the cast/director will prove to be the undoing of the excellence of Twilight.
March 19, 2009 at 6:54 pm