‘Twilight’ Director Reveals Studio’s Minimal Gift After $408M Box Office Success

Catherine Hardwicke, director of the 2008 blockbuster film Twilight, revealed that after the movie's unexpected $69 million opening weekend, she was given a 'mini cupcake' as a congratulatory gift by the studio, a stark contrast to the more substantial rewards often given to male directors, such as cars or multi-picture deals. Hardwicke emphasized the gender inequality in Hollywood, stating that despite Twilight's success, she was not offered further opportunities to direct the sequels or other major projects. The studio had initially underestimated Twilight's potential, expecting a $30 million opening, and even questioned whether Robert Pattinson was attractive enough to play Edward Cullen. Hardwicke described the experience as an 'earth-shattering reality' that women directors are often not hired for subsequent projects or given the freedom to succeed. She later directed other projects like Red Riding Hood but found them more challenging due to budget constraints and limited creative control. Hardwicke's story highlights ongoing issues of sexism and undervaluation of women directors in the film industry.