TWILIGHT STAR: 'Twilight' Mania Kicks Into Full Gear In NYC With The Release Of 'Breaking Dawn'

Saturday, August 2, 2008

'Twilight' Mania Kicks Into Full Gear In NYC With The Release Of 'Breaking Dawn'

Fans kept themselves busy before the midnight release with a podcast panel, concert and Edward vs. Jacob debates.NEW YORK — With "Breaking Dawn," the final installment of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" vampire series, set to hit stores at midnight (and the first night of the "Breaking Dawn" concert series set to premiere at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square), the city seemed to be filled with homemade Cullen T-shirts in support of the first vampire family of teen fiction.
And in the midst of all the excitement, one important question was on everybody's minds and lips: Edward or Jacob?

At noon, the TwilightLive! podcast began recording at the Borders in Columbus Circle. Various heads of the top "Twilight" fan sites — from Twilight Lexicon to Twilight Moms — discussed fandom, the "Twilight" movie and what readers would find in "Breaking Dawn." And, of course, most of the event centered on panelists and audience members speculating about whether series heroine Bella would choose the vampire Edward or werewolf Jacob. One Twilight Mom spoke up and said, "I have daughters, and I've been thinking about this a lot. And if they were faced with this decision, I decided that at the end of the day, I just want them to be happy." To which a panelist replied, "Do you think they'd be happy as part of the undead?"
After the podcast taping, which had almost 100 people in attendance and hundreds more listening online, the panelists gathered to talk to MTV News about how excited they were for the new installment and what they would ask Meyer if given the chance. Those questions included the expected "Edward or Jacob?" and the slightly alarming "Will you adopt me?" (Just kidding, NoMoreMarbles.)
Back in Times Square by 4 p.m., the line for the concert had stretched from the entrance on 44th Street to well around Broadway and continued on for blocks. Inside the venue, talent and crew gathered for rehearsals at 5, with Meyer and Blue October singer Justin Furstenfeld giggling together nervously as they ran through their cues and listened to the stage direction. Before the show started at 7 p.m., Justin told MTV News that he had finished "Twilight" and was working on the second book in the series, "New Moon." Getting to know Stephenie and her series had definitely influenced him, as he hinted at a "vampire love song" fans could look forward to on the forthcoming Blue October album.

The thousands of attendees who had bought every last ticket for the show were quick to pack the theater. A few minutes after 7, MTV News correspondent Kim Stolz took the stage to host the event, and her first order of business was introducing Justin, who came out and said that "this is the coolest thing I've ever done, by far." He performed three Blue October songs solo with acoustic guitar. Finally, the guest of honor was brought out. Meyer took the stage to thunderous applause that erupted with every self-effacing joke and sly spoilery hint she made. She answered numerous fan questions that had been submitted online at the MTV Movies Blog, including some insider ones like "What was Jacob's game plan that Edward admitted might have worked?" or more predictable ones like "If you were Bella, would you want to be turned into a vampire?"

After the show, audience members were invited to wait in line to have special "Breaking Dawn" bookplates autographed by Stephenie. Unfortunately, some of the members hadn't stayed adequately hydrated to remain in a packed audience and several fainted before getting the chance to meet their beloved author.

From the Nokia, fans headed 10 blocks down to the Borders at Penn Plaza. Based on the wristbands given, fans were either in the A line downstairs, B line upstairs, or C and D lines outside. To entertain the hundreds of eager buyers, the store provided Edward vs. Jacob debates, trivia contests and -- because, why not? -- snow cones and cotton candy.

After shrieking in anticipation for several minutes leading up to midnight, the patient customers stormed the cash registers to buy their just-unpacked copies of "Breaking Dawn." One girl was so excited to find out which man Bella chose that she immediately sat down on the floor by the front of the line and began reading. It seems fans will find out all the answers to their burning questions soon enough.

Every Tuesday is "Twilight" Tuesday here at MTV News! Check back here each and every week for the hottest scoop on the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's beloved vampire series, and we'll still bring you breaking "Twilight" news throughout the rest of the week. And make sure you check out the MTV Movies Blog for our ongoing "Twilight" discussions each and every day.

Check out everything we've got on "Twilight."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Interview with Twilight Cast and Crew

Thirteen Twilight Twilight The Nativity Story

DAILIES TRANSCRIPT "Twilight Interview" INTERVIEWED: Taylor Lautner, Catherine Hardwicke, Stephenie Meyer, Robert Pattinson ORIGINAL AIR DATE: July 28, 2008 See where to watch ReelzChannel TV Mike Richards: Welcome to Dailies. I'm Mike Richards. Now as part of our Fan*tastic Summer we've taken Dailies on location, out of the soundstage to bring you the latest in all the big summer movies. And the big summer action was right here in Comi-Con, We're in San Diego, the big comic book and movie convention. A lot happened over the weekend, we've got it all covered for you. Let's start with the stars of Twilight who talked to me about meeting the very excited fans of this book, soon-to-be movie. Mike Richards: This is your first, sort of, interaction with the fans of Twilight and they're rabid fans. Taylor Lautner: It was good, you know, the fans they're, uh, they're crazy but they're passionate. I understand their passion for the book because I'm just as passionate for it. Mike Richards: Was there nerves bringing your books, your movie to Comic-Con? Catherine Hardwicke: Well I didn't wear white in case tomatoes were hurled at me but Stephanie was brave... Stephenie Meyer: I wasn't afraid. Mike Richards: We've talked to the cast a little bit about being on the set, that it didn't feel like this big, huge movie but now that it's here you're, I'm watching them begin to get overwhelmed. Did you guys give them any advice? Stephenie Meyer: I did lean over to Rob today with the screaming and said, "I apologize for what I've done to your life." (laughs) Robert Pattinson: It's a terrifying sound, like, hearing 6,000 people screaming. It sounds like the devil is coming down or something.