Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg discuss Hollywood pressures, directing

"I get mad at people now for cutting a cake", she joked

In a revealing new feature for Variety's "Directors on Directors" series, actor-turned-director Kristen Stewart and longtime collaborator Jesse Eisenberg opened up about what directing has taught them, how it reshapes their work as actors, and the creative tensions of making films in Hollywood today.

Stewart, who recently made her feature directorial debut with The Chronology of Water, explained that directing has fundamentally changed the way she views storytelling and collaboration.

She joked with Eisenberg about becoming more protective of her work in the editing room, saying, "I get mad at people now for cutting. It's like, I watch it on a laptop and I'm like, 'Why'd you do that?'"

The two also reflected on their long friendship and professional history, which stretches back to Adventureland and other projects they've shared. Stewart acknowledged how directing has made her more empathetic to the craft of others, while Eisenberg offered his own perspective on how stepping into directing roles affects performance and creative exchange.

"You start seeing actors with a different kind of respect," Eisenberg said, noting that directing deepens an understanding of collaboration.

Stewart positioned her directorial work within the broader context of Hollywood's production pressures, indicating that bigger studio movies often have constraints that can limit creative voice.

She contrasted that environment with her experience on The Chronology of Water, where she could fully pursue her vision. "It's a different kind of challenge, but it felt like something I was ready for," she said about directing her debut feature.

Both creatives also touched on how directing has influenced their future ambitions. Stewart has publicly discussed her interest in directing a major studio project - including a potential reboot of the Twilight franchise - and said she'd love to bring a fresh perspective to it with more resources.

"Imagine if we had a huge budget and a bunch of love and support. Yeah, sure, I'll do the remake. I'm doing it! I'm committed!" she announced at a recent industry event.

Their conversation offers a rare inside look at how actors who step into directing navigate identity, influence and creative authority in an industry that often pigeonholes talent.

Stewart and Eisenberg's dialogue underscores both the artistic rewards and the institutional challenges of filmmaking, a dynamic that continues to evolve as performers expand into multifaceted roles behind the camera.

Born and raised in Los Angeles to parents who both worked in the entertainment industry, Stewart's film breakthrough came at age 12 for her role as the daughter of Jodie Foster's character in David Fincher's thriller Panic Room (2002). As a young actress, she gained further recognition for her performances in Speak (2004), Into the Wild (2007), Adventureland (2009), and The Runaways (2010).

Stewart achieved international stardom for starring as Bella Swan in The Twilight Saga film series (2008–2012), which ranks among the highest-grossing film franchises and earned Stewart the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2010. She subsequently starred in more mainstream films like Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), Charlie's Angels (2019), and Happiest Season (2020).

Eisenberg made his television debut with the short-lived comedy-drama series Get Real (1999–2000). Following his first leading role in the film Roger Dodger (2002), he starred in films such as The Squid and the Whale (2005), Adventureland (2009) and Zombieland (2009). He gained wider recognition for starring as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in David Fincher's film The Social Network (2010), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor.