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'Breaking Dawn' screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg nixes graphic sex, birth scenes
The Dish Rag talked with Melissa Rosenberg, the screenwriter for the "Twilight Saga" series at Prevention magazine's "Hollywood Heroes" awards (sponsored by Asics and Colgate) Tuesday (June 15) at the Montage in Beverly Hills.
Melissa, who was being honored for her charitable work for The Writers' Foundation, is a wildly successful screenwriter. As well as her long list of film and TV projects, she's adapted Summit's "Twilight," "New Moon" and "Eclipse." Now she's working on the two-part adaptation of the final book in the saga, "Breaking Dawn."
She's very proud of "Eclipse," which premieres on June 24 in Los Angeles. And she talks about the blessing of being able to break "Dawn" into two films and the challenge of making Stephanie Meyer's acclaimed books, which are by their nature, very interior stories, for the screen.
She also has no plans to make "Dawn" into a splatter or porno film with graphic sex or bloody childbirth (like when Edward rips open Bella's stomach). She says that she learned from writing for Showtime's "Dexter" that buckets of blood are not necessary to create a visceral sensation for the audience.
"Pint for pint of blood, 'CSI' is bloodier but 'Dexter' is more disturbing," says Melissa. "I think its sexier and more terrifying to suggest it, rather than to graphically see it and see pints of blood spewing all over the place. "
This is undoubtedly very disheartening to millions of Twihard fans who want to see the scenes as they are described in the book. But in a way, it's probably comforting to younger fans, who might not be able to see the films if the violence and gore on the screen keeps the rating high.
You may or may not like what Melissa has done with the "Twilight" book-to-film transformations. But she genuinely loves the source material and she and author Stephanie Meyer have a very collaborative relationship.
"It's such a blessing," says Melissa. "We both have tremendous respect for each other's process and we both have the same objective, which is to see the book on the screen. She is so collaborative and flexible. She's not precious about her work."
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I agree with Melissa I am a mother of a 13 year old boy who loves the movies he would not watch the movie if it was like it is in the book he would walk out or put his head down when it comes to the sex scenes and the child birth scenes he is on the autism spectrum so he hasnt gotten to where every other teenager out there wants to see everything and even he he was there i would not let him. these books are very good and you have people that have been true to them from the beginning and you also have some just coming into the books at an younger age no i do not think all of that should be put out there for them to see. i am sure they can use their imaginations and figure it out. Melissa you have done a great job with the screen plays i have enjoyed all of the movies and i am 45 soon be 46 so keep up the great work
Unlike Bea46, I think Melissa Rosenberg has done a disservice to the translation of the Twilight Saga from book to screen. She has taken such license by not staying true to the book, manipulating the storyline by leaving out key scenes or making things up. The best decision the Summit Entertainment juggernaut could have made would have been to fire her and get someone who truly respected the saga by staying true to the books. I was encouraged by the Eclipse trailer "doesn't he own a shirt", but if the past 2 films are any indication, that will be the only thing that is accurate. Again, giving the BD films a G-rating, when even Stephanie Meyer wrote the crucial scenes otherwise is just so typical of Rosenberg...what a sell-out. The majority of the fans would be able to handle and expect at least the "pillow biting" scene and honeymoon to be accurate as written by Stephanie Meyer. The films don't have to be geared to 13 year olds, as the majority of the fans are much older than that. The fan base has been so emotionally invested for years now in the books & storyline...it is a crime that Rosenberg has screwed up the films, the only saving grace has been the talented directors & actors who must compensate for her lack of ability & talent.
I totally agree with P J Sullivan, i was quite upset that key points were missed out. The films should be the same as the books, theres no doubt about it. And to leave bits out in the final films just because children wont be able to watch it is ludicris, why spoil it for the adult world? I really dont understand it i really dont! Its an outrage, if i didnt bloody love the Twilight Saga i would refuse to watch it, but im a sucker and love the way the actors play there characters.
Once again she changes the script. The first three Twi's were very violent and had lots of gore! How come they weren't rated R? Someone is using bad tatics to make these movies. I disagree with this decision.
To start with these books should not have been for teenagers and geared towards adults who are more mature and able to handle the intensity and respect these books and author deserved. All movies should have been Rated R and written/directed by well known individuals.
I'm curious why the 4th book is being broken into 2 other than for money when vital parts of the book is being left out. There isn't enough of a story to be put into 2 and leaving out vital aspects of a book just shows that all that matters is money!
There is no way they can make this movie a PG-13 rating and keep the integrity of the book. The whole story is an adventure in adulthood. The love, the wedding, the honeymoon, all depict mature adult relationships. Even Bella bargaining for sex on her honeymoon. The backstory of Rosalie, the WHOLE reason Bella turns to HER for protection with the baby. Jacobs imprinting HAS to be dealt with, but HOW do you do that while explaining it to a tween? The birth and pregnancy of Reneesme are just a small part of the adult themes in this book. So, if they have to "use imagination" to inject theses scenes, without actually showing them, why do they need 2 movies? Most of the important plot scenes cannot be shown or appreciated with a lower rating. I am afraid this movie, while trying to covet the tween crowd, will disappoint the REAL audience. The Adults. I am aprehensive, to say the least, that the culmination of the beautiful love story of Bella and Edward will end as a shallow imitation of an afterschool special.
Whether you are an "adult" or "tween", please don't be so jaded. It is not necessary to be gory or x-rated (or even what passes for R-rated these days) to be true to the essence of the book... The excitement, danger, sexual tension and relief, love, fear, etc. can all be portrayed without graphic sex and gore. I watch these movies for my own pleasure and am thrilled that I have been able to watch with my 12 yr. old daughter without cringing. I hope the next few movies will say on this same track.
They should not make a part 2 because most of the story will be missed and enough of the adult tween mess im 13 and can handle a lot these days some children are not cut out to be childish in fact most kids mature pretty quick depending on the parents and what they let there child see hear and do so don't go there about oh forget the children this should have been an adult book because whether you like it or not the book had been bought read and turned into a movie for all to see
Sorry Parents, but the real fans don't want the movie ruined so you can watch it with your too young children.
i'm fourteen years old,what the fxck are they doing?first off if they take out the sex scenes how is it suppose to explain the bitten off headboard of the bed and the two tore up pillows?screw the younger audience,they should stick to the book,i'm pretty sure kids know how sex works.and the pregnancy scene,taking it out to because there will be too much blood?well its the birth of there daughter and it should show it to see how difficult it was for her to be born.and part one and part two?seriously,where are they going to leave off in part one?if the first part comes out 2011 then the second one comes out 2012 don't you think some people would forget some parts in the first one,thus being confused while they are watching the second one.i'm honestly disapointed with the choices there making on this film.yes i'm fourteen but the movie shows everything about adulthood.even kristen stewart wants them to stick to the book.i'm honestly irritated of how there butchering the book.they should make it explicit,kids want to see?bring your parents if not,don't even bother,it'd be out on DVD soon enough.breaking dawn was such a good book,now your going to mess it up cause of the younger audience,be sure to get some disapointed opinions and ratings on it.