Each month the Communications Team spotlights a few boards on Fan Forum, and this month we are featuring the Twilight Saga Board! The Twilight Saga board opened on January 31st, 2008 and had had moments when they thought they might even close. But through dedication from twi-hards (hardcore Twilight fans), the board has been thriving for 11 years. ~AnastasiaGrey~ (Tiana) and x♥xBeautiful_Butterflyx♥x (Christina) are the current moderators of the board and continue keep up to date with news and events of the stars of the series. The initial interest in Twilight began with the book series by Stephenie Meyer, the first of which was Twilight, released in 2005. Followed by New Moon in 2006, Eclipse in 2007 and the final chapter, Breaking Dawn in 2008. The first film of the franchise, Twilight, was released in 2008 and each year following, the next book was released in film format, while the final book was turned into two films instead of one. [New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn Part 1, Breaking Dawn Part 2] It became a whirlwind of a phenomenon, skyrocketing its leading stars into popularity, seemingly overnight. The titular characters of the series, Bella Swan, played by Kristen Stewart, Edward Cullen, played by Robert Pattinson and Jacob Black, played by Taylor Lautner, could not escape notice in public for something as simple as going to dinner. The story revolves around human, Isabella Marie Swan as she moves back to Forks, Washington to live with her father, Charlie Swan, so her mother, Renée, can travel with her minor league baseball player husband. She makes new friends at the local high school in Jessica Stanley, played by Anna Kendrick, Mike Newton, played by Michael Welch, Angela Webber, played by Christian Serratos, and Eric, played by Justin Chon. But her attention is drawn to the 'adopted' children of Dr. Carlisle and Esme Cullen, played by Peter Facinelli and Elizabeth Reaser. The Cullen coven, as they are referred to, are vampires and consists of Emmett, played by Kellan Lutz, Rosalie, played by Nikki Reed, Alice, played by Ashley Green, Jasper, played by Jackson Rathbone, and Edward, who tries to stay away from Bella. The iconic line in the film, "You're like a drug to me, my own personal brand of heroin," refers to the scent of Bella's blood and how he is drawn to it. In the first Twilight film, Edward and Bella cultivate a relationship while Bella discovers not only that Edward and his family are vampires, but that other vampires traverse the area and cause problems, putting Bella's life in peril. New Moon begins with what seemingly looks like a simple birthday party for Bella but Edward cannot handle how his brother, Jasper almost attacks Bella when blood is drawn due to a paper cut. Feeling guilt over her safety, the Cullen's leave Forks and Bella spirals into a depression for months. Sending e-mails to Alice to an address that is no longer used. During this period her father finally convinces her to see her old friends or she will go back to her mother. Bella discovers that she sees an apparition of Edward when she puts herself in peril, and engages in various risky activities just to see him. From taking a ride on a motorcycle with a stranger to cliff diving and almost killing herself. Jacob, reveals his romantic feelings for Bella, but she is in love with Edward, and does not want to pursue anything more than friendship with him. Lurking in the shadows is Victoria. She and her mate James met the Cullens in the first film and James began to track Bella, threatening her life. So Edward and his family killed him. In New Moon, Victoria wants revenge for James death and seeks to harm Bella. Taking Edward's mate as he took hers. When Edward believes, due to a cheap shot comment from Jacob, that Bella has died, he wants to end his life, as living in a world where she doesn't exist is too painful. By the end of the second film, Bella has saved Edward from punishment from the Volturi, the elite group of vampires who govern their laws. Eclipse, the third film of the franchise, brings Victoria back as she has plans to end Bella and Edward for her revenge. But they are able to battle her and her army of new born vampires, while also under the protection of Jacob and his pack, who Bella discovers in New Moon are werewolves. By the end of the third film, the Volturi are once again placated and Jacob is furious because Bella has agreed to marry Edward. The final two films bring about the wedding and honeymoon and Bella's choice to be turned into a vampire. But things go awry when Bella becomes pregnant on her honeymoon and has to lie to her father about not being home as the pregnancy is fast and takes its toll on her body. At the end of part one, Bella has given birth but dies do to the strain and as Edward injects his venom to save her, we are left in anticipation for the final film when it ends with Bella's eyes opening to the vampire red. At the end of it all, Bella, Edward, Jacob, the rest of the Cullens, a legion of their vampire friends and the wolf pack, gather to fight the Volturi when they are led to believe by misinformation that Edward and Bella created an immortal child. Their daughter captivates Jacob and he 'imprints' on her. Meaning for the rest of his life, he will do anything to protect her. In the end, they are proven true in their declarations as Alice, who has the gift of foresight, is able to show the head of the Volturi, Aro, that Renésmee, played by Mackenzie Foy and is Edward and Bella's daughter, is not a threat to them or their secrets. The Twilight Saga is a phenomenon that is still cultivating new followers of both the books and films and the board on Fan Forum shows that with new posters and their incredible post count of over 1,188,540! Join us on the the Twilight Saga board and rediscover a love story that begins with forever.
