Robert Pattinson Dismisses Twilight Rivalry as ‘Marketing’ While Zendaya Declares Allegiance

Robert Pattinson and Zendaya discuss the Twilight rivalry during The Drama press tour, with Pattinson jokingly dismissing Team Jacob as a marketing ploy.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 10:57 AM EDT

Source: People

A Nostalgic Moment on the Press Circuit

The exchange occurred as the duo promoted The Drama, which is set to premiere on April 3, 2026. Zendaya’s enthusiastic "Team Edward all day" response prompted Pattinson to reflect on the Twilight phenomenon that launched his career nearly two decades ago. Despite his global fame as Edward Cullen, Pattinson has frequently expressed a self-deprecating and humorous view of the franchise, once describing the story of a vampire wanting to "drink the blood" of his girlfriend as inherently "strange."

The Persistent Legacy of the Twilight Saga

The reporter noted a current "revival" of interest in the Twilight series, a sentiment Pattinson acknowledged as "crazy." This resurgence in popularity coincides with a busy year for the actor, who is transitioning from indie darlings back to major blockbuster cinema. Zendaya joked about needing to acquire "the merch" to solidify her status as a fan, highlighting how the franchise continues to influence new generations of actors and audiences alike.

Transformative Analysis: The Power of Nostalgia in Modern Marketing

Pattinson’s comment that Team Jacob was a "marketing thing" touches on a broader truth about the entertainment industry’s use of manufactured conflict to drive engagement. By creating a binary choice for fans, the Twilight marketing machine ensured sustained digital discourse long before the era of modern social media algorithms. Today, seeing high-profile stars like Zendaya and Jennifer Lawrence—who also recently declared herself "Team Edward"—engage with these tropes serves as a bridge between the teen-centric media of the late 2000s and the prestige cinema roles both actors now occupy.