Last year we listed off the movies, TV shows and other pop-cult gems we were most excited for in 2010, and though the Wizarding World of Harry Potter got the top spot (come on, it's a theme park), "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" was the movie we were most looking forward to. It's been a big year for "The Twilight Saga," and "Eclipse" definitely did not disappoint. As another year of "Twilight"'s domination is about to begin, we figured now would be a good time to look back at the series' biggest moments in 2010.
"New Moon" had hit theaters only several months before, but "The Twilight Saga" started 2010 off with a bang when there was reportedly some drama between Stephenie Meyer and Summit Entertainment over "Breaking Dawn," though the "Twilight" author quickly dispelled that rumor. That was followed closely with producer Wyck Godfrey's announcement that "Breaking Dawn" was gearing up to film the coming fall. We were all holding on to every will-they-won't-they rumor (3D? CGI Renesmee? One or two films?), and it took the majority of the year for any of those questions to be answered.
While we waited for more "Breaking Dawn" news, Summit announced the "New Moon" release date and two "Twilight" stars went from dating to engaged. In February we learned that we'd get a trailer for "Eclipse" before RPattz's other film "Remember Me," and found out why Robert is bothered.
A month later we got a teaser for that trailer, and then had to wait six days until we got the full-length version. We were all pretty thrilled when we found out the trailer showed Bella's engagement ring, but that was nothing compared to the excitement we felt when Stephenie Meyer announced she was releasing a novella about Bree Tanner.
While all that was unfolding, there were still a lot of questions being asked about "Breaking Dawn." Three directors had been short-listed for the job, and the stars were pretty excited about them. On April 28 director Bill Condon was chosen for the honor. Bill convinced fans he was the man for the job by writing them a letter, and an official release date announcement came soon after. Hello, November 18, 2011!
But we weren't the only ones with "Twilight" fever; Oprah caught the bug too! First she premiered an epic new "Eclipse" trailer and then showed some lucky fans an early cut of "Eclipse". Audience members gave us the inside scoop on her special "Eclipse"-themed episode, too.
There was more "Breaking Dawn" drama when rumors hit the web that Ashley Greene and Kellan Lutz might not be returning for the final "Twilight Saga" film, but those were quickly resolved. And, with a month left until "Eclipse" hit theaters, the soundtrack listing was finally revealed. As if we couldn't get any more excited for the film, it was announced that Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner were going to be presenting a new clip from the film at the MTV Movie Awards, and we totally loved it when they did. It helped that "New Moon" swept the awards show as well.
By the time June finally rolled around, we had two things to look forward to: "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" and "Eclipse." We camped out all night for both, and both surpassed our expectations.
With "Eclipse" out, all the focus could now shift to the final film in the "Twilight" series. Or rather, two films. "Breaking Dawn" was announced as a two-parter and the second half would be released on November 16, 2012. Wyck Godfrey also leaked that Robsten are totally an item, and we found out "Twilight" could be the most successful film franchise ever, on top of the fact that vamps have made $7 billion since 2008.
Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg hinted that there might not be a birthing scene, but she quickly retracted that statement and instead started talking about all of "Breaking Dawn"'s new vampires. There are a lot of them, and they're pretty much all cast by now. Unfortunately, James Franco wasn't one of them. But the most important casting announcement was that 9-year-old Mackenzie Foy would playBella and Edward's daughter, Renesmee.
"Breaking Dawn" filming is now underway, and we've seen awesome paparazzi pictures of Bella and Edward's honeymoon and the Volturi hanging out. Of course, we also found out why Bella is covered in feathers. The "Eclipse" DVD release got us looking forward to a whole new year of "Breaking Dawn" news as we count down the next 11 months until the first film hits theaters. After all, there's soundtracks to be announced, awards shows to sweep and relationships to cross our fingers for in the meantime, and probably lots of "Twilight"-related fodder we can't even begin to anticipate.
What was your favorite "Twilight" news story this year? Tell us in the comments and on Twitter.
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