Cannes 2012: 'Twilight' Stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson Face Red Carpet, Career Challenges

Getty Images

Twilight sweethearts Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are heading to the Cannes Film Festival for their respective films, On the Road and Cosmopolis, both of which are in competition.

our editor recommends

How 'On The Road' Slashed Kristen Stewart's $20 Million Paycheck and Finally Made it to Screen

Cannes 2012: Garrett Hedlund and Kristen Stewart's 'On the Road' Acquired by IFC Films and Sundance Selects

'Cosmopolis' Clip: Robert Pattinson Faces Social and Marital Unrest (Video)

As if that weren't nerve-wracking enough, the couple may lend support to each other's film premieres, which would entail some fashion coordination on Stewart's part. The actress is reportedly already in Paris and has done some French TV interviews to promote Snow White and the Huntsman.

PHOTOS: 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1' Black Carpet Premiere Arrivals

We can't help but think there may some final fittings on her Cannes gowns going on while she's in Paris. She wore Balenciaga to the Met Gala earlier this week and there are some style seers who think she may wear the house again when she walks the red carpet on the Croisette up to the Palais.

But besides the fashion challenges for Stewart, both she and Pattinson are clearly working hard to make the leap from being teen idols to being taken seriously as thespians and ridding themselves of the Twilight tag.

PHOTOS: Snow White and the Huntsman Starring Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth

Stewart has less of a struggle ahead, having already established herself with a breakout role in Panic Room with Jodi Foster, and a small but memorable role in Sean Penn's Into the Wild. Plus she has major indie cred (Welcome to the Rileys, The Runaways, Yellow Handkerchief) prior to portraying Bella Swan in the Twilight Saga trilogy.

Pattinson, has a tougher task. Prior to being Edward Cullen, he was best known for playing the doomed Cedric Diggory in yet another teen fantasy series, Harry Potter. Since then, he’s starred in a syrupy Water for Elephants and the upcoming Belle Ami, an adaptation of Guy de Maupassant’s novel about a young man who sleeps his way to the top of French society. Sadly, the film, which also stars Kristen Scott Thomas, Uma Thurman and Christina Ricci, has gotten rather tepid reviews.

Cannes Film Festival: Veterans Ready to Return to the Croisette

So it falls upon David Cronenberg’s vehicle Cosmopolis, a nihiistic futuristic drama (is there any other kind?) with a lot of drug-fueled sex and craziness to showcase Pattinson's acting chops. The film could be another chance for Rob to be just another pretty (if tortured) face (does that remind anyone of Edward Cullen?). But Rob says this is the first film he's been able to watch himself in (that's high praise) and claims that Cosmopolis has given him "balls." 

If anyone can create a challenging, provocative and disturbing role for Pattinson, it's Cosmopolis author Don Delillo and Cronenberg, who is a much beloved director at Cannes.

Both actors' films have already found distributors so there's no worry there. And even if neither film wins the festival's coveted Palme d'Or, it will be great to see this good-looking couple on the Cannes red carpets.