Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series received global critical acclaim, spurring a film series three years after the release of the first book. Although the movies are fairly true to the books, there are a few differences and characters that have been portrayed in different lights or given more or less of a role than they had in the books.
Movie adaptations have been frequently known to lessen roles of book characters as a way to condense content, so it is suitable for movie length, but in some cases, characters are only improved once they appear on the big screen.
Aro
The leader of the Volturi, Aro is known to enact punishments when the unspoken rules of the vampire world are broken.
Within the Twilight novels, Aro's role in the Volturi is known and evidently important. However, the movies give his talents more depth as well as delve further into his want for Alice in the Volturi. There is added dialogue in the movies regarding Aro's feelings about Alice and why he thinks she will prove useful, whereas the books don't give us this much insight, although it is known.
Leah Clearwater
Daughter of Sam Clearwater and shape-shifter. Leah Clearwater's character, whilst largely the same in both the film adaptations and the books, has an added layer of depth and slightly different events happening to her.
The books very much portray her as simply the jealous ex, as well as giving her blame for her father's heart attack, however, her father dies due to a heart attack from seeing Victoria in New Moon. Additionally, her feelings towards Sam and Emily are explored in the movies, showing that even though she doesn't want to feel this way, she really has no choice.
Victoria
Victoria's mate, James, was killed by the Cullens after he pursued Bella. As the antagonist for both New Moon and Eclipse, Victoria tormented and evaded the Cullens through her power of self-preservation.
In the Twilight movies, she's given more to say as well as more scenes that explore her character and backstory. As the cause of Harry Clearwater's heart attack in New Moon she is even more of a threat to the Cullens and Forks as she continues her extensive pursuit of Bella and her efforts to destroy the Olympic coven.
Phil Dwyer
Bella's mother Renee marries Phil after splitting up with Charlie, and whilst this is known in the books, readers aren't given all that much information about the relationship between them.
Within the novels, Phil doesn't actually have any dialogue, but in the films he is given the line "Guys, c'mon. I love you both. We got a plane to catch." Although it is only a short line, it lets us know that he does care for Bella and is even comfortable enough to tell her he loves her.
Rosalie Hale
The iciest member of the Olympic coven, who slowly warms to Bella as the series goes on. Rosalie's distrust of Bella is evident in both the films and books, but the films give greater insight as to why Rosalie acts the way she does towards Bella as well as highlighting her behavior towards her.
Rosalie's fiercely protective nature and her clear affection for Renesmee only builds the backstory that is given to viewers. Both Rosalie and Bella are brought together by Renesmee's existence which is evident in Breaking Dawn Part 2.
Charlie Swan
The book and movie versions of Charlie Swan, Bella's father, are largely the same. However, the movies offer a different dynamic in the relationship between father and daughter.
The movie portrays Charlie as more involved in the lives of those who live in Forks, which makes sense as he is the Chief of Police. Book Charlie Swan doesn't visit the diner with Bella, which arguably adds depth to their relationship as it is a tradition between they have enjoyed for years.
Edward Cullen
Fans of the Twilight franchise are always divided between their love for either Edward or Jacob, wanting one to prevail as Bella's endgame romantic interest.
It is clear that Edward and Bella are infatuated with one another from almost the beginning of their interactions, but the movies do something the books don't - they make Edward more "human" and likable despite him being a vampire. His reactions are changed in the movies, displaying a greater range of relatable emotions. His anger comes out more in his reactions to Bella and those who wrong her, such as him ripping James apart after he captures Bella.
Jessica Stanley
One of the first classmates Bella meets in Forks is Jessica Stanley. In the film series, Jessica is blended with the character Lauren Mallory who also appears in the book series.
By blending Lauren and Jessica, the character has more depth and a slightly more complex relationship with Bella and a reflection on classmates' opinions of her, as seen when Bella's high school friends all attend her wedding. Although she is quite a minor character, she is the first one to tell Bella about the Cullens.
Jacob Black
The relationship between Bella and her best friend Jacob Black is more established throughout the movie series, as he appears sooner than he does in the novels, which gives fans more of an opportunity to watch the relationship develop.
Throughout the movies, Jacob is already a controversial character due to his love for Bella and the fact he imprints on Renesmee, but in the books he is much more possessive of Bella, along with their friendship not even being accepted by Edward, which changes in the movies and allows Jacob to develop into a character separate from being just one of the love interests.
Bella Swan
The Twilight series follows Bella's life and her relationship with Edward Cullen. As the main protagonist of the series, Bella makes this list as the movie adaptations make her much more relatable and likable, much like the movie version of Edward.
Movie Bella is much more susceptible to Edward, letting her emotions be completely controlled by his presence or absence of it, as seen by the memorable depression scene when Edward leaves her in New Moon. Bella's reactions to Edward in the films are more relatable as it conveys how much she loves him, and how controlled she is by him whether he means to do this or not. Bella displays a very human reaction to relationships of a romantic nature, especially as a teenager.
