The ‘Twilight’ prequel is on its way, more than a decade later

Robert Pattinson may have moved on from playing vampires to superhero bats, but the Twilight fandom isn’t soon forgetting his massive contribution to creating the sparkling character that is Edward Cullen. That’s why, on May 4 when Twilight author Stephenie Meyer announced there’s a new prequel novel debuting this summer, Pattinson’s name immediately began trending on Twitter. Even though we’re talking about a book here, and not another new film. (At least not yet.)After teasing fans with a countdown clock to an important announcement last weekend, Meyer confirmed what has been speculated for quite some time now: Midnight Sun, which is told from Edward’s perspective, drops on August 4. Fans were so eager for the announcement that the author’s website even crashed on Monday morning.

WE NEED TO KNOW pic.twitter.com/erOpEopMoC

— THE TWILIGHT SAGA (@Twilight) May 1, 2020

"It feels strange to be making this announcement when the world is suffering through a pandemic, and no one really knows what's next. I thought seriously about delaying this announcement until things were back to normal; however, that felt wrong, considering how long those who are eager for this book have already waited," Meyer said in a statement. "I know how much I personally need distractions right now, how much I need something to look forward to, and most of all, how much I need more books to read. So, I hope this book gives my readers a little pleasure to anticipate and, after it arrives, a chance to live in an imaginary world for a while."It has most definitely been a long while since anyone has lived in the imaginary Twilight world. The last novel in the four-part saga, Breaking Dawn, was released in 2008 and Midnight Sun has been percolating in Meyer’s head ever since. She began the novel way back then, but ditched it after unedited sections leaked online. Luckily for fans, the author realized people need nice things right now, and so she finally polished it off.“Working on a book for more than thirteen years is a strange experience. I’m not the same person I was then. My children have all grown up. My back got weird. The world is a different place. I can only imagine all the things that have changed for you,” Meyer wrote on her website. “But completing Midnight Sun has brought back to me those early days of Twilight when I first met many of you. We had a lot of fun, didn’t we? Throwing proms and hanging out in hotel rooms and reading on the beach (while getting the most epic sunburns of our lives). We made hilarious t-shirts and fabulous websites. We found kindred spirits that are still in our lives now. I hope going back to the beginning of Bella’s and Edward’s story reminds you of all that fun, too.”Since its release, the Twilight series has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. When it was adapted into the films it also gave viewers the likes of Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, launching years of heated debates about the casting and the off-screen relationship that developed (and eventually fizzled) between the two. Considering how long it took Pattinson to come to terms with his love-hate relationship with Edward Cullen, it seems unlikely that he would reprise the role if Midnight Sun does eventually turn into a blockbuster film. Then again, Twihards have proved that they can be pretty darned persuasive.[video_embed id='1952161'']Before you go: Daniel Radcliffe admits the royal family is 'a little bit absurd'[/video_embed]