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Can New Moon Eclipse the Twilight Media Madness?
by Nadya Vlassoff
The theatrical release of New Moon is less than a month away, and Twilight Saga fans in Italy were recently given a 20-minute sneak peak of the film at the premiere in Rome. Although popular Twilight Saga cast members Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Kellan Lutz, and Ashley Greene were not in attendance at the 4th International Rome Film Festival for the New moon sneak peek, there was still plenty of Twilight vampire flesh for New Moon fans to get their hands on. New Moon Volturi clan members Charlie Bewley, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Cameron Bright were on hand to walk the Italian New Moon red carpet as the actors revealed in the Twilight media frenzy that has relentlessly dogged the Twilight Saga.
When three minor New Moon characters encounter so much Twilight media attention, it says something about the importance of the Twilight Saga in itself. Although it’s no wonder that young non Twilight actors everywhere are undoubtedly doing everything in their power to attach themselves to the Twilight Saga franchise, to have an entire world premiere for the release of New Moon “clips” appears to have pushed the Twilight envelope a little too far. Keep in mind, like I mentioned, Twilight Saga cast members Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Kellan Lutz, and Ashley Greene did not make the trip to Rome for the New Moon sneak peek.
When the first Twilight movie was filmed in the tiny town of Forks, Washington, Washington State saw am astronomical boom to the state’s tourism. However, for New Moon, Vancouver, British Columbia became the new Twilight city, as the third film in the Twilight Saga, Eclipse, followed shortly after the production of the Twilight sequel. Twilight Saga location tours are now available to fans of New Moon, which isn’t necessarily a bad idea in terms of Twilight Saga interest. But this isn’t Universal Studios; it’s Vancouver for Cullen sake.
Since I’m knee deep in the Twilight heartbeat of Vancouver, watching first hand just how rampant the Twilight and New Moon media hype is, with cast sightings of Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner all over the city, and Twilight Saga fans staked out in front of various hotels, the Twilight onslaught has been New Moon fast and Eclipse furious with little let-up. The local newspapers have been immersed in Twilight-centric stories, leaving little space for anything else other than the Twilight Saga.
However, if a film franchise is so overwhelming that its two main stars, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, allegedly become reclusive and have to fear for their personal Twilight safety or risk getting New Moon mobbed, perhaps the Twilight Saga media should take a few steps back. So far the Twilight Saga coverage has only fuelled the fire of Twilight mania. And while no media outlet is immune, the constant Twilight and New Moon rumors of alleged hook-ups between Robert Pattinson and Kristen have become too overwhelming. As media in the Twilight mix, we ask ourselves this ever day: Is the media giving fans of Twilight, New Moon, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart enough consideration?
So, is the constant Twilight flood of New Moon clips a good idea? Can New Moon eclipse the Twilight media madness? First, there’ little chance that New Moon will see a drop in Twilight interest closer to release. Second, advanced tickets for New Moon have already gone on sale, with many Twilight box-office locations in the United States already sold out. Of course it’s good news for the Twilight Saga since it shows that Twilight fans of New Moon, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner are in it for the right reasons. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if New Moon ends up with a smaller box-office tally than Twilight simply due to the relentless Twilight Saga onslaught of the media.
Now that New Moon is only four weeks away from theatrical release, it will be up to Twilight Saga fans to counter the overblown Twilight speculation in response to what they have been waiting for: the second film in the Twilight film franchise. The opening weekend of New Moon will be an interesting Twilight phenomenon in itself.
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