Following news that an upcomingTwilightanimated remake was shopping around for streaming services,Netflix has taken on the animatedMidnight Sunshow. The series is being developed by Lionsgate Television and will be written and produced by Sinead Daly (The Walking Dead: World BeyondandDirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency). Joining Daly as executive producers are Stephenie Meyer (the original author of theTwilightseries), Meghan Hibbett, Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, Erik Feig, and Samie Kim Falvey. By all accounts,Midnight Sunwill be much better than a straightforwardTwilightremake.
What excites me about this news is thatMidnight Sunis itself a retelling ofTwilightby Stephenie Meyer.Meyer essentially wrote a fanfiction of her own work, written from Edward Cullen’s POV.Midnight Sunprovides much-needed dimension to Edward’s character and contextualizes and even makes light of his flaws. Not only this, it also serves to flesh out other characters through his familial relationships and mindreading abilities. I hope the new animated series will feature more of the Cullen family and their backstories, as well as using the drily comic, often scathing perspective of the parallel events.
Are you excited for Netflix’s Midnight Sun?
Netflix has announced that an animated series based on Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer, which tells the Twilight Saga from Edward Cullen’s perspective, is in development. Twilight is one of those franchises that has held up over time, and continues to impress new generations. I am very excited to see what they can do with this version of the story. And, because it is animated, there is no reason they cannot bring back the main cast to voice their characters - how incredible would that be?!
Midnight Sun’s Adaptation Must Address Edward Cullen’s Ennui
Edward Counts The Cracks In The Wall Of Forks High School
A common criticism ofTwilightis the incredulity that the Cullen siblings would repeat high school over and over when they could pass as college students. This is indeed a strange dynamic but one that would translate well toTwilight’snew remake planprecisely because the contrast between the Cullens and high school is glaring. As well as being highlighted by other characters’ thoughts like Ms Cope –“They should all be in college”– thetedium of high school repetitionis a key part of Edward’s narration inMidnight Sun.This is established right from the opening of the novel:
“High school. Or was purgatory the right word? If there were any way to atone for my sins, this ought to count toward the tally in some measure.”
Whereas the reader does not get this side of Edward’s inner world in theTwilightnovels narrated by Bella, this exploration of his daily experiencefleshes out his character. In theTwilightmovie, this makes Edward come across unsympathetic, making their interactions really fun to watch but difficult to justify being Team Edward. On the other hand, exploring his curmudgeonly side from the point of view of a104-year-oldTwilightvampirewho has to endure high school to save face actually makes sense.
Midnight Sun’s Edward Has More Sardonic Humor Than In Twilight
Edward’s Humor Is As Dry As Bella’s Arizonian Past
As well as being curmudgeonly, Edward expresses his ennui through sardonic humor inMidnight Sun,which is almost an anti-Twilight.Much of this revolves around his general distaste for human beings. Not only this, but hiswry mental commentaryoccasionally extends to members of his vampire family –“Rosalie was thinking, as usual, about herself – her mind was a stagnant pool with few surprises.”His superiority complex makes his running commentary on the parallel events very entertaining to read and this would translate well to the upcoming animation. It also contributes to the tension that he cannot read Bella’s thoughts.
As the book progresses, Edward does not want to admit he finds Bella interesting.
Edward’s humor becomes more bitter and despairing as his pomposity becomes hubris,and this inner conflict should be conveyed in the adaptation.At first, he refuses to be enthralled by Bella’s lack of readability, insisting her thoughts“would be just as petty and trivial to any human’s”– as the book progresses, Edward does not want to admit he finds Bella interesting, which then escalates to“fascinating.”This progression makes a satisfying narrative and reflects Edward’s journey as meeting Bella reawakens his stagnant humanity. I hope the series reflects him looking down at Bella at first.
Edward’s Anxiety Should Be Palpable In The Midnight Sun Adaptation
Midnight Sun’s Edward Has Racing Thoughts That Add To The Humor And Tension
InTwilight,it is easy to read Edward’s observation of Bella as creepy, his protectiveness overbearing. Although these tendencies are not justified inMidnight Sun –Edward knows they are“reprehensible”– their motives are given more context. His over-the-top observation of her speech and body language,the overthinking fueled by the anxiety of being unable to read her thoughts,adds more dimension to Bella. A common reader complaint is that Bella is a Mary Sue. However, Edward’s conversations with her, as well as observing her interactions with others, make it clear that Bella is selfless because she practically parents her mother.
Edward’s anxieties inMidnight Sunalso revolve around Bella’s safety. This adds comedic value –“for the love of all that is holy, would the catastrophes never end?” –and I can see this frantic mood working well. Edward’s anxious inner monologuewrestling with his morality, referring to his family’s actions –“And then there were all the murders”is a hilarious example –must be adapted to make Edward compelling.His racing thoughts emphasize Bella is his first romantic interest inTwilight. He continually references her human fragility, which comes across as a little too chauvinistic,one reason thatTwilighthasn’t aged well.
