Thescreescore – Before Robert Pattinson immortalized Edward Cullen in Twilight, the casting buzz was a frenzy. Jackson Rathbone, who ultimately played Jasper Hale, recently shared a hilarious anecdote about his initial assumptions regarding the coveted role. Rathbone, speaking at Motor City Comic Con during a Q&A hosted by Joe Deckelmeier for thescreescore.com, recalled his audition process and the moment he learned he wasn’t Edward.
Rathbone explained that he was flown first class to Philadelphia to audition with Kristen Stewart, a perk that made a strong impression. While the role ultimately went to Pattinson, Rathbone initially believed another Harry Potter star had snagged it. After being told that the role had gone to "the Harry Potter guy," Rathbone’s mind jumped to Daniel Radcliffe, and then Rupert Grint, rather than Pattinson. He even jokingly coined the term "Redward" to describe the potential of a red-headed Edward.
"Damn, Daniel Radcliffe is good," Rathbone remembered thinking. "Redward" was his term for a red-headed Edward.
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Despite the initial confusion, Rathbone holds no ill will. He praised Pattinson as "the best guy for the part." He also credited his connection with director Catherine Hardwicke for securing him the role of Jasper. Hardwicke, also a Texan, saw Rathbone’s potential and insisted he join the cast. The decision to cast him as Jasper was sealed when he saw who would be playing Alice Cullen.
The idea of Radcliffe or Grint as Edward Cullen is certainly a fascinating "what if." Both actors were deeply entrenched in the Harry Potter franchise at the time, with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince releasing the same year Twilight began pre-production. Taking on another major fantasy role might have been a stretch for either actor, especially considering the intense scrutiny and expectations surrounding the Twilight adaptation.
While Pattinson faced initial backlash from some fans, many now agree with Rathbone that he was the perfect choice for Edward. The Twilight saga continues to captivate audiences, and Rathbone’s anecdote offers a fun glimpse into the casting process and the alternate realities that could have been.
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