Dakota Fanning Loved the Low Pressure of Playing a Vampire in 'Twilight'

Dakota Fanning is looking back at her stint in the massive *Twilight* saga, opening up about what it was like joining one of the biggest pop-culture phenomenons of the 2000s without bearing the heavy crown of the main leads. Appearing on the *Happy Sad Confused* podcast hosted by Josh Horowitz, the actress reflected on stepping into the universe as the sinister Volturi vampire Jane. Fanning first joined the cinematic series in 2009's *The Twilight Saga: New Moon*, going on to reprise her cold-blooded character in 2010's *Eclipse* and the 2012 finale *Breaking Dawn – Part 2*. ## did dakota fanning audition for bella swan in twilight Addressing persistent rumors surrounding her casting, Fanning set the record straight on whether she was ever in the running for the franchise's main heroine. She explained that she never auditioned for Bella Swan, noting that she was simply a bit too young for the main role when the original project came together. Instead, landing the role of Jane allowed her to enjoy the wild ride from a comfortable vantage point. Fanning was balancing her acting work with attending a traditional high school at the time, remembering how the entire student body and culture at large were completely consumed by *Twilight* fever. ## dakota fanning kristen stewart friendship twilight Fanning also gave insight into how the main cast handled the sudden rocket ride to global fame. She noted that lead stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart had no idea how colossal the franchise was about to become when they originally signed on for the project. While the central duo faced relentless media attention, Fanning enjoyed a low-pressure experience that allowed her to absorb the hysteria without the intense weight. The gig also led to one of her most meaningful Hollywood relationships. Joining the cast introduced her to Stewart, starting a lasting bond. Fanning shared that Stewart remains one of her closest friends years after the final film hit theaters. Ultimately, Fanning views her time in the vampire universe as a unique chapter in her career. Playing a terrifying, high-ranking villain let her savor a cultural juggernaut from the inside—minus the overwhelming burden of headlining the frenzy.