The Sunday Paper Interview

In the ‘Twilight’ zone

SP’s interview with the vampire


Bobby the vampire player: Robert Pattinson(right) with Kristen Stewart

BY BERT OSBORNE
 
Unless you’re part of the massive teen fan base that’s been eagerly anticipating the release of “Twilight”—the first of a proposed series of movies based on the wildly popular books by Stephenie Meyer—you may never have heard of Robert Pattinson before. The 22-year-old British actor plays Edward Cullen, the ageless vampire (108 going on 18) whose star-crossed high-school romance with the mortal Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) fuels the franchise. With basically only a small role (as Cedric Diggory) in two Harry Potter films (“The Goblet of Fire,” “The Order of the Phoenix”) to his credit, Pattinson is poised to make a very big splash. He talked about the new movie during a recent interview in Los Angeles.
 
Q You were quoted at a recent “Twilight” event at ComicCon describing the experience as “entering the gates of Hell.”
 
A 
Yeah, that’s been following me around a bit [laughs]. I really didn’t mean it in any derogatory sense. All I meant was, there was this great noise when we arrived for that, these thousands upon thousands of young girls screaming out my name. I knew there was this great anticipation about the movie, because we’d been aware of all the blogs being posted online during the filming, but I think that was the first actual sign we had of just how huge this thing really was.

How does it compare to a lot of the hoopla surrounding all the “Harry Potter” movies?

 
It’s completely different. By the time I did my bits [in the “Potter” films], there’d already been three earlier movies, so everything was sort of operating like a slick, well-oiled machine. With “Twilight,” on the other hand, everything kept growing and changing and reformulating as we were working on it. We were basically making a little indie movie with a small company [Summit Entertainment]. … We definitely weren’t making a blockbuster. There were no big names in the cast. We were scrambling the whole time about how to set things up, how to make the characters interesting enough to support a franchise. I mean, Edward doesn’t age. He doesn’t really change in any dramatic way. Naturally, the first movie lays down a lot of the ground rules about vampires and whatnot, but we put a lot of thought into it. Some of it was off the cuff, reinventing whole scenarios with the other movies in mind.
  
Did you ever feel it was hopeless, living up to the expectations of fans of the “Twilight” books?

 
I wouldn’t say hopeless. I sort of expected a certain amount of criticism, and even appreciated it. I mean, I was almost embarrassed even going into the audition. Edward’s described as this perfect man, with an impeccable face and body. Everything about him is just amazing. There’s no way I could ever live up to that [laughs]. I was quite thankful when the initial reaction to my casting wasn’t 100 percent positive, because I’m not perfect. A lot of times, I look like a bum. It was like, “Cool. Maybe I can just be a character actor instead of a leading man.”
 
In the upcoming film “Little Ashes,” you play Salvador Dali, right?

 
Actually, I did that movie before “Twilight,” and it was a defining moment for me. I’d been disinterested and thinking about giving up acting before that role came along, and I mainly took it because it seemed like an excuse to take a three-month vacation in Spain. I didn’t speak a word of Spanish, so it was pretty intense, but it gave me a reason to focus on the script and do a lot of research into the character, to a ridiculous degree. It was the first time I really felt satisfied with my work, and that made me want to keep acting. I want to bring that intensity to every job, including [“Twilight”]. Even though it’s essentially a teen movie, I was determined not to make it too cheesy, as if I were only cashing a paycheck.
 
Why had you become disinterested in acting?

 
Mainly because most movies being made now are designed in such a way that it’s all about making a lot of money. … I’m not interested in simply adding more shit to the pile. I’d rather just not be a part of it, in that case. SP

SOURCE

44 comments:

Lynn said...

"Mainly because most movies being made now are designed in such a way that it’s all about making a lot of money. … I’m not interested in simply adding more shit to the pile. I’d rather just not be a part of it, in that case."

Rob's brutal honesty just kills me! I hope that his main focus will continue to be indie films (well, aside from Twilight).

Now, I am aching to see Little Ashes....the thought of Rob and Javier Beltran makes me quiver!

Kate said...

Ooh just found this on You tube, th kissing scene again with rob singing ;-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2U2_D8a_I8

Just for you Lynn ;-)

Lynn said...

Kate---that was lovely and a good dose!

I was trying to figure out Carter Burwell's style with Bella's Lullaby and I was reminded of Thomas Newman (Erin Brokovich and American Beauty). I hope that the Academy gives Burwell a proper nod, because, his composition is phenomenal. I am transfixed everytime I listen to it!

Kate said...

Have to agree Lynn "Bella's Lullaby" is FAB!! I don't think "Twilight" will be up for any oscars but it would be great to see that getting recognised ;-)

Lynn said...

Kate---no, just the original score is a possibility....other then that Twilight is no where near Oscar material.

Ellie said...

I love that composition. I listen to it to and from work, over and over; with the clip of Rob playing it, at the end. I sometimes wonder how I get to work, with all the daydreaming...
I'm so looking forward to hearing Rob's version. Then I'll need Dr. Carlisle Cullen for sure! lol

Ellie said...

I meant I love the part where Rob comes in, the song is lighter and more hopeful; not so dark.

Lynn said...

Ellie---I am imagining the really cheesy scene with Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in Pretty Woman, where Gere ravishes Roberts on the piano.

Alright, insert Rob as Gere and yourself as Roberts (minus the whole hooker thing) and away you go!

Ellie said...

Thanks, Lynn~~you're so much nore imaginative than me...I owe you one! xoxoxo

Lynn said...

Ellie---you are so welcome and it's mandatory that Rob would have to play at least three selections. I am imagining so much more, it's not even funny!

Anyways, word out to Dani and Gozde! Yesterday was Robsessed's one month anniversary....woo-hoo!
Cyber martinis and kisses to all.

Montage....please! Thank you, lovelies!

La Stella said...

It's torture to wait until March to be able to see LA.

Hell, it's torture to wait til Dec 1st to see the trailer. :(

Kate said...

Wow one month Way to go girlies.

MiCh said...

Hey girls, I'm back! You were busy yesterday, need to read a lot of posts and comments.. ;)

Lynn--how was your bday? Hope it was GREAT! Mine was good, BBQ and movies with friends, then I had my 3rd dosis of Rob! Despite the cheese, my male friends really enjoyed the movie and my girls are now in love with Rob (and Peter)!sessed

Kate said...

Glad you had a good birthday Mich,mmm Peter, yeap!!

Lynn said...

Stellaluna---I am feeling ya, babe! Rob's work seems to be in a perpetual limbo...the trailer should be killer.

Lynn said...

Mich---mine was relaxing, I was happy to not have to cook. And, I was happy to be able to see Twi/Rob for the second time and I was just in love with Bella and Edward for two hours...very peaceful.

Glad to hear that yours was fun!

Ellie said...

That's right, it has been a month. I started reading from the beginning, after the break-off. Wow, it's been some ride!! lol
LOve, love, love it. You girls really understand the Robsession!

Lynn said...

Ellie---it's a good kind of sickness...I never pictured an interest in a much younger man but Rob changed that for me (WOW!). I haven't had a celeb crush like this since River Phoenix....15 years is a long time!

Here's to good times and the lovelies!

Eva said...

Mich, Happy B-lated Birthday!

Rob is so honest,hopefully this is not going against him in the movie business because we want to see a lot of him.

I read a lot of design blogs and this one have a post about Edwards bedroom:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/inspiration/twilight-inspiration-edward-cullens-bedroom-design-070384

Everyone is obsessed with our boy, everyone:)

Kat said...

Wow, has it ONLY been a month... I feel like I've 'known' you wonderful ladies for so much longer than a month.

Mich, didn't realize it was your birthday too... Happy belated Birthday!

MiCh said...

Thanks girls, yep, it was a great day.. friends and two hours of Rob, what else could I ask for?

Now I'm asking God to be able to see Little Ashes in Mexico! At least to have a screening in McAllen or some other city near the border, otherwise I'll have to fly to see the movie! Gah, am I crazy?

Kate said...

This is so funy the girl taping it she's hilarious http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tJYuqBOIjI

Ellie said...

Oh, Mich, how was your birthday? Hope it was lovely!

Lynn said...

Kathryn---the spirit of obsession has definitely made this journey much longer and enjoyable. I hope that some where in cyber space that Rob is laughing and not freaking out by that comment.

Loving you all, too!

Kate said...

Oh my God I think I'm getting addicted to searching for clips before they get removed !!!!!

This is the hospital scene OOOHHHHHH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-_nNkkevHQ

Lynn said...

Alright, for all the I love you believers, squint and look!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Hf8o3QJ3eI

Kate said...

She has loads of clips up, bet they won't be there for long though. SO I've seen the kissing scene, hospital, Port ang, ballet,baseball, van nearly hitting bella, biology class. Is that most of the movie????LOL

Kate said...

OMG Robs song on the ballet clip is just perfect ;-)

Lynn said...

Catherine Hardwicke, you go, girl!

Off Rob topic, but here is to girl power.

http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.ap.org-twilight-sucks-up-706m-box-office-debut-ap

Lynn said...

Kate----easy girl, you are going to go blind watching all those clips. When does Ireland get the Twilove?

Kate said...

19th dec Lynn. Too far away!!!!

Kat said...

Lynn... I saw it... he mouths it... HE DOES, HE DOES, HE DOES....

Kat said...

Right as he touches her face...

Kate said...

Emmmm..... I'm not sure Kathryn, I saw his mouth moving but emm.....

Kat said...

On the big screen, where I first saw it, it's there for sure. You can JUST see it in this... he murmurs something, it's not just a mouth "wiggle" (for lack of a better word).

Maybe I'm just wishing it too much, but I am SURE, so sure that's what he whispers/mouths.

Kate said...

I'll keep a look out for it when I see the movie in the cinema kathryn ;-) can't really see it here though but I will admit there is a wiggle or something!!LOL

DirtyD said...

I just watched the you tube clip and I think he says it too. It may just be wishful thinking but it sure looks like it to me.

Lynn said...

Kathryn---you are adorable...and I will watch again and again. But, I am still convinced of Rob's uncontrollable shivering....which makes me smirk and giggle like a schoolgirl.

Off the check the clip, again!

Kat said...

If anything, it's the perfect excuse to keep re-watching the clip.

I'll just give Rob a quick call on his pay-per-go phone and ask him. Get this sorted once and for all
:-)

Lynn said...

LOL Kathryn, I have had my nose up to the screen and am on my way to bifocals and I still am trying to Rob's lips move some more.

Hey, hand me the number and I will text him some extra!

Lynn said...

Trying to see Rob's lips move some more....cue the edit button.

Dani said...

Alright I posted the 2 scenes you guys gave the links to. Just good times. Ahhhh the hospital scene Edward "Where else am I going to go?" No where babe you are in love with Bella you stay! Good boy!

Kat said...

Dani... LOL.... "Good boy" I like it.

Ellie said...

He said it! He sait it! He said it!
(my heart jumped when I heard it~~ for the 17 or so times in a row...)
*sigh and squee*

 
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