Netflix is set to develop an animated series based on Stephenie Meyer’s novel Midnight Sun, a spin-off from the popular Twilight saga. This announcement marks a significant addition to the ongoing resurgence of interest in the Twilight franchise.
The project was first reported in early April 2023, when Lionsgate Television began exploring the idea of an animated adaptation. In March 2024, Lionsgate’s vice chairman, Michael Burns, confirmed that the adaptation would indeed be animated, and Netflix has since taken the lead on the project, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
Midnight Sun, published in 2020, tells the story of Twilight from the perspective of Edward Cullen, the vampire love interest. The novel provides a fresh viewpoint on the events of the original series, which centers around Bella Swan. Sinead Daly, known for her work on Tell Me Lies (Hulu), The Walking Dead: World Beyond (AMC), and Raised by Wolves (Max), will serve as the executive producer for the animated series.
Stephenie Meyer will also be involved as an executive producer through her company, Fickle Fish Films, alongside Meghan Hibbett.
The production team includes Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen from Temple Hill Entertainment, who produced the original Twilight films.
Erik Feig and Samie Kim Falvey from Picturestart will also join as executive producers, with Emily Wissink overseeing the project for the company. The series will be produced by Lionsgate Television.
For those unfamiliar with the Twilight saga, it includes four novels:
Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn, published between 2005 and 2008. Meyer also released Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined in 2015, which presents a gender-swapped version of the original story. The release of Midnight Sun in 2020 highlighted the enduring popularity of the series, selling over a million copies in its first week despite an early manuscript leak.
As of now, the main cast for the upcoming Netflix series has not been announced. It seems unlikely that original stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson will reprise their roles, as they have distanced themselves from the franchise for nearly a decade. The Twilight film series, which ran from 2008 to 2012, grossed over $3 billion at the box office and launched the careers of Stewart, Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner.
Since the release of Breaking Dawn Part 2 in 2012, there have been no new adaptations of the series. However, rumors about a new TV series began circulating in 2023, leading to the announcement that Midnight Sun would be the next project in line.
The Twilight saga has maintained a dedicated fan base, often described as an “addiction” by its followers. As anticipation builds for the animated series, Netflix has yet to announce a release date. In the meantime, fans are encouraged to stay tuned for further updates on this exciting new adaptation.
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