“Twilight” star, 40, wants a prequel to explore the “darkness of its character”, [Exclusive]

Fifteen Years Later, Jackson Rathbone Still Has a Lot to Say About Jasper Hale

Fifteen years after the release of the first Twilight movie, Jackson Rathbone, the actor who played Jasper Hale, has a lot to say about his character. During a panel at FanExpo in Denver, moderated by Maggie Lovitt, Rathbone shared his thoughts about Jasper’s past and his desire to see a Twilight prequel that explores the character’s traumatic origins.

Jasper’s Dark Past

Rathbone revealed that he would like to see a prequel that delves into Jasper’s violent past, including his experiences as a soldier in the Confederate Army and his subsequent transformation into a vampire. "Jasper has a darkness in his past… he saw the literal horrors of war at the age of 17, and there’s a lot of darkness there," Rathbone explained. He believes that this prequel could explore the idea of Jasper meeting Alice and finding redemption through their relationship.

The Importance of Redemption

Rathbone, who has personal experience with addiction and rehabilitation, believes in the importance of second chances and redemption. "I believe in second chances, I believe in third chances, I believe in redemption," he said. He sees Jasper as a character who is not just struggling with his own demons but is also fighting to overcome his traumatic past.

Jasper’s Background Story

In the original Twilight saga, Jasper’s background story is rooted in the Confederate Army and his subsequent life as a vampire general, creating and controlling newborn armies in the South. While some of this is touched upon in the movies, Rathbone believes that there is more to Jasper’s story that needs to be explored. He thinks that this story should not be about vengeance but about healing and forgiveness.

A Prequel About Healing

Rathbone’s vision for a Jasper Hale prequel is not just another vampire drama but a story about what happens when a monster believes they no longer have to be one. He wants to see a story that explores the idea of forgiveness and redemption, rather than just revenge. "We see a lot of revenge films, I’d like to see a little more heart… forgiveness is difficult, redemption takes work, but I think it’s worth it," he said.

What’s Next for Jasper Hale?

While a Jasper Hale prequel is not yet in the works, Rathbone’s pitch is ready. If it happens, it won’t just be another Twilight movie but a story about the power of redemption and forgiveness. Fans of the Twilight series will have to wait and see if Rathbone’s vision becomes a reality.

About the Twilight Series

The Twilight series, based on the books by Stephenie Meyer, follows the story of Bella Swan and her relationship with vampire Edward Cullen. The series includes five movies: Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1, and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2. The movies were released between 2008 and 2012 and starred Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner.

Movie Details

• Release Date: November 21, 2008
• Duration: 121 minutes