The newest Twilight sequel will reverse the gender roles of the earlier Twilight saga, telling the story of a human boy falling in love with a female vampire.
October 6th, 2015, marks the ten year anniversary of the original Twilight novel. In celebration of a decade of vampire-crazed preteen drama, Twilight author Stephenie Meyer is releasing a Twilight sequel in which the role of star-struck teen is occupied by a male human, while the dangerous, irresistible vampire is a woman. It's a fascinating experiment in reversing the tropes so often seen in teen and adult romantic fiction: damsel in distress and male savior, curious and naive woman versus experienced, domineering man.
The timing and concept of the Twilight sequel is a good move on Meyer's part: it keeps the Twilight franchise in the public eye, while updating its ethos for a more evolved audience.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Gender Role Reversals in Popular Fiction
- Opportunity for authors to challenge gender expectations and attract a more diverse audience.
- Evolving Romantic Fiction for Modern Audiences
- Opportunities to update popular romantic fiction with contemporary themes and ideas.
- Inclusive Representation in Fantasy Novels
- Opportunity to represent diverse characters in fantasy stories, attract a wider range of readers and broaden appeal.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Publishing
- Publishing houses can diversify their catalog with gender-bending fiction to attract new readership.
- Entertainment
- Television and film industries can adapt popular stories with gender role reversals for a modern audience.
- Marketing and Merchandising
- Marketing agencies can develop merchandise and campaigns around gender-bending novels and their updated themes.
