Twilight is a 2008 romantic-fantasy film directed by Catherine Hardwicke and based on the novel of the same name by Stephenie Meyer. The film stars Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan, a teenage girl, who falls in love with vampire Edward Cullen, as played by Robert Pattinson. The project was in development for approximately three years before it was put into pre-production by Summit Entertainment. The novel was adapted for the screen by Melissa Rosenberg in the autumn of 2007, shortly before the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. The film was primarily shot in Washington and Oregon during the winter and spring of 2008. Twilight was released in theatres on November 21, 2008,[5] and grossed $35.7 million on its opening day.[6] The soundtrack was released on November 4, 2008.[7]

Seventeen-year-old Isabella "Bella" Swan moves to the small town of Forks, Washington, to live with her father, Charlie. There, she finds herself drawn to a mysterious classmate, Edward Cullen, who is revealed to be a 108-year-old vampire, but is physically seventeen. Although Edward discourages the romance at first, they soon fall deeply in love. When the arrival of three nomadic vampires, James, Victoria, and Laurent, puts Bella's life in danger, Edward and his family, Alice, Carlisle, Esme, Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie, put their lives at stake to save her.[8]

The Cullens and the Swans

• Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan, a seventeen-year-old girl who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington, from Phoenix, Arizona, about halfway through her junior year of high school.^[9]
• Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen, a 108-year-old vampire who appears to be seventeen. He is Bella's love interest and has the ability to read minds (except Bella's), along with superhuman speed and strength.^[9][10]
• Peter Facinelli as Carlisle Cullen, a compassionate "300-plus years [old]" vampire who looks to be in his mid-20s. He serves as the town's physician and is the father figure of the Cullen family.^[11]
• Elizabeth Reaser as Esme Cullen, Carlisle's vampire wife and a mother figure to the Cullen family.^[12]
• Ashley Greene as Alice Cullen, a vampire who can see the future based on decisions that people make.^[12]
• Jackson Rathbone as Jasper Hale, a member of the Cullen family who can manipulate emotions. He has the most difficulty maintaining the Cullens' lifestyle of not feeding on humans.^[12]
• Nikki Reed as Rosalie Hale, a member of the Cullen family, described as the most beautiful person in the world.^[13]
• Kellan Lutz as Emmett Cullen, the strongest vampire of the family.^[12]
• Billy Burke as Charlie Swan, Bella's father and Forks' Chief of Police.^[14]

The Cullens as portrayed by Lutz (Emmett), Reed (Rosalie), Reaser (Esme), Pattinson (Edward), Facinelli (Carlisle), Greene (Alice), and Rathbone (Jasper).

Nomadic Vampires

• Cam Gigandet as James, the leader of a group of nomadic vampires who intends to kill Bella.^[13]
• Rachelle Lefèvre as Victoria, James' mate who assists him in finding Bella.^[13]
• Edi Gathegi as Laurent, the most civilized member of James' coven.^[15]

Humans

• Sarah Clarke as Renée Dwyer, Bella's mother who lives in Arizona with her new husband, Phil.^[15]
• Matt Bushell as Phil Dwyer, Bella's stepfather who plays minor-league baseball in Florida.^[16]
• Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black, an old childhood friend of Bella's and a member of the Quileute tribe.^[17]
• Gil Birmingham as Billy Black, Jacob's father and a friend of Charlie's.^[15]
• Solomon Trimble as Sam Uley, a member of the Quileute tribe.^[18]
• Christian Serratos as Angela Weber, one of Bella's new friends in Forks.^[15]
• Michael Welch as Mike Newton, one of Bella's new friends who vies for her attention.^[13]
• Anna Kendrick as Jessica Stanley, Bella's first friend in Forks.^[9]
• Gregory Tyree Boyce as Tyler Crowley, another one of Bella's classmates, also vying for Bella's attention. (He nearly hits Bella with his van.)
• Justin Chon as Eric Yorkie, another one of Bella's classmates who vies for her attention.^[9]
• Ned Bellamy as Waylon Forge, one of Charlie's friends at the police station; this character is not featured in the novel.^[16]
• José Zúñiga as Mr. Molina, Bella's biology teacher at Forks High School; in the novel, this character's name is Mr. Banner.^[16]
• Stephenie Meyer makes a cameo appearance as a customer in the diner where Bella and her father frequently eat.