This has been rattling around in my head for a few weeks...is there such a thing as the Twilight Bump Effect? Having Googled this phrase to ensure that these thought are indeed original, I do wonder whether the legions of fans who follow the goings-ons of anything Twilight related not only support the non-Twilight projects of its stars but also influence the box office.
Some may say this is a no-brainer. Would I be going to see 'Remember Me' if it didn't star RPattz (Robert Pattinson)? Would I see 'The Runaways' with KStew (Kristen Stewart) and Dakota Fanning initially thinking this was a movie about runaways instead of Joan Jett? 'Alice in Wonderland' to see Michael Sheen as the White Rabbit...actually, yes because I'm a huge Tim Burton fan.
Studios are starting to tap into the power of the established fan base for certain actors. Social networking has provided the studios with a media to communicate directly with the fans and are providing them a platform to share their thoughts, enthusiasm for the actors and their projects. A twitter account for 'Welcome to the Rileys', a new movie starring Kristen Stewart which debuted at Sundance in January, has generated enthusiasm and support for the film and even credited its followers with getting a distribution deal this week.
Is this the wave of the future? Regardless of the 'Twilight Effect' could other projects benefit from marketing to the same fanbase for other projects by the actors - chances are very good. Hollywood likes predictability/bankability so when there is a proven product (read actor) why reinvent the wheel. Could this be a new version of the studio system of the 1920's to 1950's Hollywood? Although actors may not be contractually bound to one studio for a set amount of years; some do sign deals for more than one movie with the same studio; and although the studios no longer own the theatres where their movies are shown-they still have the power to select which theatres the movies will be shown.
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