Why Kristen Stewart Thinks Actresses “Get Treated Like S–t”

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Kristen Stewart is sinking her teeth into a behind-the-scenes role. 

The actor known from the Twilight films—who recently directed her first movie, The Chronology of Water, set to release in 2025—has spoken openly about how people treat her differently now that she’s a director.

Kristen, 35, recently told The Times in the U.K. that actresses often face mistreatment. She explained that while people assume acting is easy, she noticed a clear difference in how she was treated when discussing her work as a director. She felt people finally acknowledged her intelligence and valued her input, something she hadn’t experienced as an actress.

And the Spencer star credits this experience to gender bias within the entertainment industry.

She explained that the idea of directors being exceptionally gifted isn’t accurate, and it’s a notion often promoted by men. While she doesn’t want to constantly complain, she believes female actors suffer more from this perception, often being treated as if they have no agency when they are, in fact, creative individuals.

When asked if being a man might have made it easier to secure funding for her coming-of-age film, Kristen—who married Dylan Meyer in April—explained that her unique perspective as a woman was actually key to the film’s success.

She explained that if she were a man, she wouldn’t have created the film. She feels women are expected to ignore their bodies daily, and that experiences like childbirth – while both painful and beautiful – are often kept private because they make others uncomfortable.

Actress Kate Bosworth recently shared her thoughts openly, following her statement that she’d be interested in directing a remake of the popular film Twilight.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight published on January 5th, she said that if she had a large budget and plenty of support, she’d love to revisit and rework something.

She added, “Yeah, sure. I’ll do the remake. I’m doing it. I’m committed.”

Kristen, known for playing Bella Swan in the popular Twilight movies with her former partner Robert Pattinson, says she’d love to direct a remake, but wouldn’t alter a single thing about the original series, which concluded in 2012.

She said she really appreciated the directors’ vision for the films. She described them as unique, a little quirky, and very much of their moment – still finding their footing before becoming famous.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I know many of us are still dreaming of a Twilight revival! So, I’m sharing all the best behind-the-scenes stories and secrets from the hugely popular book and movie series that defined the 2000s.

When Mark Lord first started writing the screenplay for Twilight, he remembered worrying that the story wouldn’t appeal to male viewers. He explained on the Big Hit Show podcast in January 2022 that the team wanted to base the story on Romeo and Juliet, but with vampires, and create a more action-packed, cinematic structure. They believed adding more action would keep male audiences engaged, as they were concerned that too much romance would turn them away.

Director Catherine Hardwicke didn’t like the first draft of the script at all – she threw it away and asked the writers to start over. She remembered the original version was completely different from the book, featuring Bella as a sporty character being chased by the FBI on a jet ski.

Originally, Paramount and MTV obtained the rights to make a movie based on Twilight, but the first script was very different from the book. Director Hardwicke told CinemaBlend she didn’t like it because it strayed too far from the source material. After three years, Paramount gave up the rights, and Summit Entertainment, an independent film studio at the time, quickly acquired them.

When adapting her book for the screen, author Stephenie Meyer had a few firm requests. She specifically didn’t want any typical vampire clichés included, and she insisted that the line, “so the lion fell in love with the lamb,” be used in the movie.

Stephenie Meyer also intervened in creative decisions, such as requesting a different actor, Kellan Lutz, for the part of Emmett when she wasn’t happy with the first choice. She also asked for the intensity of Bella and Edward’s first kiss to be reduced. Meyer explained to Entertainment Weekly that while it was difficult to assert herself, she’s glad she did, and believes she managed to do so without causing lasting offense – people still seem to like her.

Erik Feig, who was Summit’s Head of Production at the time, remembers that Stephenie Meyer was very specific about her vampires: they couldn’t have visible fangs. He recalled in an interview on the Spotify podcast The Big Hit Show that the contract actually stated, “No actor playing a vampire will have canine incisors longer than those found in the average human being.” Feig said he particularly liked that detail.

As a lifestyle expert, I always find it fascinating to look back at ‘what could have been’ in Hollywood! Did you know that before Kristen Stewart became synonymous with Bella Swan, several other rising stars were in the running? Stephenie Meyer herself was really keen on Emily Browning early on, and actresses like Michelle Trachtenberg, Lily Collins, and even Jennifer Lawrence – who, of course, went on to lead her own massive franchise with The Hunger Games – all auditioned for the role. It’s amazing to think how different things might be if one of them had landed the part!

Looking back on her audition for Twilight, Jennifer Lawrence recalled being completely confused. She explained on The Howard Stern Show that they only gave her a few pages of script and asked her to ‘act like a monkey.’ She was surprised and excited when the movie came out, exclaiming, ‘Wow! That’s amazing!’

After actor Emile Hirsch – who worked with the director on both Into the Wild (with Kristen Stewart) and Lords of Dogtown – suggested her, the director decided Kristen Stewart was right for the part.

While watching Kristen Stewart in Into the Wild, director Catherine Hardwicke noticed a deep yearning and attraction in Stewart’s portrayal of the character. Hardwicke felt this perfectly mirrored the intense, unspoken desire she’d envisioned while reading the source material. Seeing that emotional depth, she knew Stewart was the right choice for the role.

At first, the actress wasn’t excited about the project after hearing a summary of the story. However, after discussing it with the director, Hardwicke, and reading the script with her, she quickly became interested.

Oh my gosh, can you believe how many actors auditioned to be Edward?! Like, over 5,000! I read that Dave Franco even tried out, which is wild! And Jamie Campbell Bower – I love him as Caius later on, but he was up for Edward first! Dustin Milligan from Schitt’s Creek auditioned too, can you imagine?! Michael Welch actually got a part as Michael Newton, which is cool. But the craziest part? Stephenie Meyer really wanted Henry Cavill! Apparently, he was her first pick, but they said he was too old by the time they started filming. They even thought about having him play Carlisle, the dad figure of the Cullens! Seriously, Henry as Carlisle would have been amazing!

The final four actors considered for the role were Robert Pattinson, Ben Barnes, Shiloh Fernandez, and Jackson Rathbone—who later played Jasper Cullen. Hardwicke invited them all to her home in California so they could audition with Kristen Stewart.

The chemistry read for the film included the now-famous meadow scene, which Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson acted out on director Catherine Hardwicke’s bed. Hardwicke remembered Pattinson being very enthusiastic before the kiss, and told Entertainment Weekly that the scene was “electric.” Pattinson later admitted he took half a Valium before the crucial audition.

Even after seeing four actors audition, director Hardwicke hadn’t made up her mind. But Kristen Stewart immediately knew which one should play Edward, telling Vanity Fair she thought it was a clear and perfect fit.

Before landing the role of Edward Cullen in Twilight, Robert Pattinson almost gave up acting. He’d faced a lot of rejection after his part in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (and famously, his character Cedric Diggory didn’t survive!). As he later told Today, he was planning to quit because he wasn’t getting hired, but he realized it wasn’t really quitting if you’re not getting opportunities in the first place—it was more like accepting what happens.

Tyler Posey, who later became famous as the lead in MTV’s Teen Wolf, shared that he originally auditioned for the part of Jacob Black in the first Twilight movie. He said he competed with his friend Taylor Lautner for the role, and Lautner ultimately got the part. Posey jokingly told MTV, “Taylor got it! Congrats, man, that’s an awesome role… I hate you!”

Lucy Hale, who later starred in Pretty Little Liars, also auditioned for the Twilight films. She really wanted the role of Alice Cullen and even tried out for Jane in New Moon and Leah Clearwater in Eclipse. She shared with J-14 that she loved the books and was eager to be involved in the first movie.

Cam Gigandet, who previously auditioned to play the villain James, was later asked to read for the role of Emmett Cullen. He told MTV he had to ask if there were any roles available for him at all. He really connected with the Emmett character, but still wanted to play James. After a week, he got the good news: he landed the Emmett Cullen role.

Alexandria Meyer had a small, uncredited role in the first Twilight film, appearing as a diner patron during a scene with Bella and her father, Charlie (Billy Burke). She also made a cameo appearance in Breaking Dawn: Part 1 as a wedding guest, alongside screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, co-producer Bill Bannerman, and producer Wyck Godfrey.

During the very first take on the first day of filming, Robert Pattinson pulled a muscle in his glute. He explained to Jimmy Kimmel that his body wasn’t prepared for the physical demands. This injury actually caused some issues with the film’s insurance and required him to undergo physical therapy.

After the huge opening night success of Twilight, the announcement of New Moon surprised fans – Taylor Lautner’s name wasn’t on the cast list. This wasn’t a mistake; the studio was considering whether the then 16-year-old actor could convincingly portray the character after his physical transformation into a werewolf.

Director Chris Weitz told Reuters that concerns about casting the actor arose from two things: his limited screen time in the first film and a description in the second book stating he was 6-foot-5 tall – a significant difference considering the actor is 5-foot-9. Weitz said these were legitimate issues the team had to address.

Originally, Michael Copon, known for his roles in The Scorpion King 2 and One Tree Hill, was considered to replace Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black. Copon explained to MTV that he had no personal issues with Lautner, praising his talent. However, he understood the story required the character of Jacob to mature, and a change in actors would facilitate that progression.

Taylor Lautner was dedicated to his role as Jacob and immediately began a rigorous training program after finishing the first movie. He committed to a strict diet of 4,000 calories daily, eating every two hours, and working out for at least two hours five days a week to build muscle.

I immediately knew I needed to start preparing for the role,” the now-adult actor recalled to Interview magazine. “As soon as I finished reading Twilight, I went straight home and began a weight-training program. For New Moon, I gained thirty pounds compared to my physique in Twilight.

Taylor Lautner underwent a significant physical transformation for his role as Jacob, which his fans loved. However, there was one part of the experience he didn’t enjoy: the wig. He jokingly told MTV that he and the wig had a mutual dislike, admitting he didn’t have fond memories of wearing it.

To portray Rosalie in the first Twilight film, Nikki Reed initially bleached her hair blonde, a process that took 36 hours. The extensive bleaching damaged her hair so much that it began to fall out. For the remaining films, she decided to wear wigs to avoid further damage, as she had to bleach her hair and scalp frequently.

Kristen Stewart faced hair challenges throughout the Twilight series. After cutting her hair for the role of Joan Jett in The Runaways, she had to wear a noticeable wig for Eclipse. Before Breaking Dawn: Part 1, she promised fans she’d be using her natural hair, and it was revealed that the studio, Summit, had initially been against her cutting it at all.

She admitted people might be upset with her, but explained that she was offered a lot of unreasonable requests to avoid doing something. Speaking to George Lopez in 2010, she said she understood the concerns, but wished the quality of one particular item – a wig – had been better. Ultimately, they resolved the issue, and she hoped everyone was satisfied with the outcome.

Rachelle Lefevre originally played the vampire villain Victoria, but she was replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard in the movie Eclipse. Howard had actually been considered for the role years earlier. Lefevre was upset about the change, but the studio said it was due to scheduling issues.

Levefre expressed her shock at Summit’s choice to replace her in the role, stating she was dedicated to the Twilight series and playing the character Victoria.

Xavier Samuel, a new face in the series, landed the role of Riley, a supporting character to Victoria, in the third film. He was chosen over actors like Channing Tatum and Tom Felton, known for his work in the Harry Potter films.

Michael Sheen decided to play Aro, the leader of the Volturi, largely because his daughter, Lily (whose mother is Kate Beckinsale), was a huge fan of the Twilight series. He told The Daily Record that making his daughter happy was his primary motivation. He later admitted he ended up enjoying the books himself, which was a pleasant surprise.

The team chose Carolina Herrera to design Bella’s wedding dress because of an existing relationship. Costume designer Michael Wilkinson explained to MTV that Carolina Herrera had previously worked with Stephenie Meyer and they’d become friends, leading to a conversation about the dress. Wilkinson acted as a consultant to ensure the design fit the overall look of the film, as they had been discussing it for some time.

The costume designer made unique dresses specifically for Bella’s mother and the other Cullen women.

The risk with having a made-to-order wedding gown was that it could easily be damaged – and nearly was because of the poor weather in Oregon. They only had two backup copies, which wasn’t much protection.

Wilkinson shared with InStyle that they narrowly avoided a wardrobe disaster during a shoot. She envisioned paint slowly staining the dress’s hem, but they were able to capture the main shot before it became a problem. By the time they moved in for closer shots, the hem was completely soaked with paint, like a sponge absorbing water!

So, how was Bella able to get pregnant by Edward, considering he’s a vampire and she’s human? Stephanie Meyer actually addressed this on her website. She explained that male vampires still produce fluids similar to semen, which contain genetic information and can fertilize a human egg. Essentially, it’s a biological function that still exists, despite Edward being undead.

The first cut of Bella and Edward’s wedding night scene originally earned Breaking Dawn: Part 1 an R-rating. Director Bill Condon had to edit the scene to make it less explicit. He explained to The Hollywood Reporter that there are strict rules regarding depictions of sexual intercourse.

In 2011, Robert Pattinson jokingly caused a stir among fans when he mentioned during a Breaking Dawn press conference that a real priest had performed the wedding scene. He explained that because the priest went through all the proper steps of a real ceremony, he and Kristen Stewart were “technically” married in the eyes of the church, even if not legally.

Following Kristen Stewart’s appearance wearing a B.B. Dakota coat in the first movie, the company renamed it “the Bella Swan jacket.” Summit Entertainment quickly took legal action, and in 2011, a court sided with them.

Several actors you might be surprised to learn were in the Twilight films include Anna Kendrick, Noel Fisher (from Shameless), Maggie Grace (known for Lost), Lee Pace, Angela Sarafyan (of Westworld), and Academy Award winner Rami Malek. Interestingly, Anna Kendrick had actually forgotten she was part of the series, tweeting in 2018, “Holy st, I just remembered I was in Twilight!”

As a long-time fan, it’s always a little shocking to hear what went on behind the scenes! I recently read an interview with Catherine Hardwicke, the director of the first Twilight film, and she was brutally honest – she said every single script she read was terrible. Apparently, she wasn’t alone in her feelings. David Slade, who directed Eclipse, actually had to apologize for criticizing the series before he even agreed to work on it. He famously joked that he’d rather be shot than read the scripts sober, let alone while intoxicated or even on acid! It’s hard to reconcile those comments with the films we all love, but it definitely gives you a different perspective.

Ten-year-old Mackenzie Foy was cast as Renesmee, the half-vampire, half-human daughter of Bella and Edward – and the character Jacob ends up bonding with (it was a memorable plot point!). Everyone involved with Breaking Dawn: Part 2 was very careful and protective of the young actress. Director Bill Condor even started a swear jar on set – it collected over $800! – and the lead actors made a special effort to be mindful of her presence.

Condor shared with EW that the cast was wonderful with her. She noted that Rob really stepped into a fatherly role, and Kristen was particularly caring. They often got so engrossed in conversation that Condor had to gently remind them it was time to film.

Although the final version of Renesmee was created using computer-generated imagery, the filmmakers initially tried using a doll. The results were so unsettling, the doll earned the nickname ‘Chuckesmee’ due to its resemblance to the horror character Chucky.

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2026-01-26 22:53