It’s been slightly over a decade since the Twilight film franchise took off. And the last film, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part II, arrived a whopping seven years ago. You’d think that the hype had died down after that last film faded into memory, but as it turns out, there’s a new documentary about just how the Twilight fandom has not only survived, but it’s thrived in the interim.
Titled We Made A Twilight Documentary?!, the special delves into just how the town of Forks, Washington went from a reluctant pop culture landmark into a revitalized community, all thanks to it being featured as the main setting of author Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga. And it couldn’t have happened at a better time either.
Apparently, just as the Twilight films were kicking into gear, the town of Forks was about to be hit by the 2008 financial crisis. But as tourism picked up, and the fans of Kristen Stewart’s Bella and Robert Pattinson’s Edward flocked to the sleepy Northwestern town that boasts the title of “the rainiest place in the US,” according to the documentary’s host, Roth Cornet.
Throughout We Made A Twilight Documentary?!, an episode of content provider Fandom’s series, Fandom Uncovered, Cornet meets fans of all stripes and talks with them about how important the Twlight franchise is to them, and why their trips to Forks have become an important recurring source of economic support to the sleepy town.
Back in its heyday, the Twilight saga brought in around $3.3 billion worth of worldwide box office grosses, with the highest point being The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part II’s $829.7 million haul that closed out the series. And while there haven’t been any new films in theaters, there have been wildly successful streaming debuts for the entire Twilight saga and short film projects that have kept the fandom happy, even in the absence of any big screen revival.
Between the consistent tourism draw to Forks, Washington’s Twilight setting, and the still active fanbase, We Made A Twilight Documentary?! has arrived at the right time to potentially spark a renaissance for the once towering fandom. And should that be the case, you just might see Lionsgate making a play to resurrect another famed franchise.
So if you see Twilight and The Hunger Games movies in the theaters within the next five years or so, don’t think you’ve slipped into a time vortex to the past. Just know that these still active fandoms are enjoying a new moment of renewed excitement.
If you’re interested in watching Fandom’s We Made A Twilight Documentary?!, you can find that special below for your viewing enjoyment:
While there’s no new Twilight film headed to theaters at the moment, you can see Kristen Stewart in the Charlie’s Angels reboot, set to debut on November 15th. And we’re not sure what Robert Pattinson’s up at Bat for at this point, but we’re sure the Man has something up his cowl.
