Midnight Sun: Netflix Orders Two Seasons of the New Twilight Animated Series
The story should be told from Edward's perspective
"Twilight" fans have reason to celebrate: A new animated series titled "Midnight Sun" is in the works at Netflix. And apparently, the streaming giant has great confidence in the return of the vampire franchise, as it has ordered two seasons outright. According to the website What's on Netflix, Lionsgate seems to have high expectations for the series. They view it as an opportunity to continue the existing "Twilight" universe while also expanding it with new perspectives.
Midnight Sun Tells the Twilight Story from Edward's Perspective
Fans should, however, be prepared for a slight change. Unlike the movies, "Midnight Sun" is set to retell the familiar story of "Twilight" from Edward Cullen's perspective. While the original book series primarily focuses on Bella's experiences, "Midnight Sun" will give fans insight into Edward's inner world and reveal more about how the vampire experiences his encounter with the young student.
It's also interesting to note that the new series is described as an animated project for adults. Although "Twilight" originally appealed to a young audience, the new project is likely to target fans who grew up with the movies as well. Author Stephenie Meyer will be involved as an executive producer. The project is being produced by Lionsgate Television and Meyer's production company, Fickle Fish Films.
It is not yet known who will voice the characters in the original English version. This makes the question of who will voice Edward Cullen and Bella Swan in the animated series particularly exciting. However, a return by Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart seems rather unrealistic.
Is there a release date?
Netflix has not yet announced a specific premiere date. According to current information, work on the series is set to begin in August of this year and is expected to continue through May 2027. Los Angeles is slated to be the production location, where, among other things, the voice recordings will take place. A release in late 2027 would therefore be quite realistic.
Twilight: From Book Phenomenon to Global Box Office Hit
Netflix's decision to revive the vampire franchise is likely due in no small part to the enormous success of the original "Twilight" saga. When Stephenie Meyer published the first novel in 2005, the love story between the human Bella Swan and the vampire Edward Cullen quickly became an international bestseller. In total, the book series comprises four main novels, which were also adapted for the big screen between 2008 and 2012. With Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in the lead roles, the film series became a global phenomenon.
The five films, which include the two-part adaptation of the final book, "Breaking Dawn", grossed several billion dollars worldwide and turned their lead actors into international stars. In addition to the unusual love story, it was primarily the love triangle between Bella, Edward, and the werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) that sparked enthusiasm and numerous discussions among fans.
Although the last film was released in theaters back in 2012, interest in the saga has not completely faded to this day. The release of "Midnight Sun" in 2020 proved that Stephenie Meyer's vampire world continues to reach a large audience. The new Netflix series could now inspire a new generation to fall in love with the saga while also offering longtime fans a previously unknown perspective on the events.
