VF Daily: Had you read the “Twilight” books before getting the script?
Kellan Lutz: I hadn’t. I didn’t even know there was a book series. I read the script while I was in Africa and fell in love with it. I loved the vampire story. It felt so new and fresh, not the typical “let’s kill the vampire with a pitchfork” idea. It was really unique. They first sent me out for Edward’s role, and as much as I would have loved to be the lead, it wasn’t possible for me to fly back from Africa where I was shooting and audition as many times as they would have needed me to. So I read Emmett and he seemed so cool. Once I was cast, I was flown out to Oregon to start shooting, and my friend [and castmate] Ashley Greene had all of the books. She asked me if I had read the books, and I was like, “Ha ha, you’re joking. There are no books.” So she gave them to me and I did my homework. I read all three of them. The fourth wasn’t out yet.
Have you started to feel the mania that will likely surround the film?
I felt the impact of how crazy this is going to be for all of us while we were shooting. I hope we can live up to the precedent set by Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.
What was your initial reaction to the idea of playing a vampire?
My agent and I try to be picky with roles so that I can drive my career in different directions and be different, creative characters. I want to be an actor for the rest of my life and to have fun with my career. So I told him that I wish I could do a movie that already has a fan base. And then Twilight came along!
The plot of Twilight is a love story, a fantasy, and a horror story all in one. Which aspect most appealed to you?
It was the combination of everything. The backstory of Romeo and Juliet is certainly there—in this case, it’s the forbidden love between a mortal and an immortal. And of course this movie also has a lot of action, so it appeals to everyone.
What was it like to work with this young cast?
I’ve been so fortunate to work with a lot of my friends. I knew Jackson Rathbone [Jasper] and Ashley Greene [Alice] before we started, but I was a late-comer on the film. I booked Emmett on one of the last days of rehearsal, so I definitely came in as the new guy. That’s always tough, but having good friends that I already knew made it much easier. The whole cast is really great, and I’m so excited to do the rest of the series with them. We’re still really close and we all still hang out.
Were there any particularly funny moments on set?
All the guys always goofed around with the girls. Especially when the weather got bad, the girls would be freezing and we would throw hail balls at them. We would all hang out at the end of the day in a different cast member’s room, order room service, and just chill. Rob Pattinson [Edward] would play the guitar and we’d just eat and talk and sing. Edi Gathegi [Laurent] would assume this funny girl voice and call random cast members and tell them their call time was five hours earlier. It was just a lot of fun.
What was it like to transform into a vampire every day?
I loved playing a vampire, but it was really tough because I don’t wear contacts. Just putting in those contacts would take me 45 minutes to an hour. We had a makeup artist named Jeannie who, bless her heart, would put them in for me everyday. Eventually we got it down to only taking five minutes.
Do you have any upcoming projects?
I’m on [the CW’s] 90210 and that’s going really well. And I’m starting a new movie called Warriors. I leave for the East Coast on Halloween, which is a bummer because I was going to throw a big party. But that’s O.K. It’s going to be a great movie.
Hometown?
Dickinson, North Dakota.
Siblings?
Six brothers and one sister. I’m smack-dab in the middle.
Significant other?
No.
Celebrity crush?
Jessica Biel.
Signature style?
Comfortable! I used to wear sweats and a T-shirt to auditions, but my agent would yell at me and tell me I had to look nice and presentable. So I had to drop that habit.
Who do you consider the most stylish man in Hollywood?
Brad Pitt.
Favorite movie?
A Christmas Story.
Favorite actor?
Robert Redford.
TV shows that you TiVo?
I don’t have TiVo, but I watch a lot of Judge Judy—it makes me happy about my life when I see what the people on that show do. I also love Entourage, Weeds, and Dexter. And, of course, Family Guy and South Park.
Favorite book?
The Purpose Driven Life.
Favorite band?
Incubus.
Favorite cause?
Boys and Girls Club and World Family Kids Camp.
New York or L.A.?
L.A.
Tina Fey or Sarah Palin?
Tina Fey, good God!
MySpace or Facebook?
Neither.
Robert Pattinson, 22, plays Edward Cullen, a young vampire on a self-restricted animal-blood diet and Bella Swan’s love interest. He fights James’s coven of vampires in order to protect Bella from being bitten. Pattinson starred as Cedric Diggory in both Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and played a young Salvador Dalí in the independent film Little Ashes.
VF Daily: Had you read the Twilight books before getting the script?
Robert Pattinson: Not in their entirety before getting the script, no. I did my screen test, had the weekend before my next meeting for it, and read all three over one weekend.
What was your impression of the books at first?
Well, I obviously really liked them, but it is always strange reading a book knowing that I am hopefully going to play the part. It’s read in a very different context.
Did you go into the auditions wanting to play Edward?
Somewhat, but I was literally embarrassed walking into the audition. I had no idea how to play Edward at all. I thought that even going into the audition was completely pointless, because they were just going to cast a model or something. I felt it was kind of arrogant of me to even go in. I was almost having a full-on panic attack before I went to the screen test.
How did the screen test go?
Casting was really easygoing, and Kristen [Stewart] is also very cool, but at the same time there is something very, very serious about her. I really wasn’t expecting the girl who plays Bella to be like her at all. Her professionalism made me keep my mouth shut whenever I wasn’t acting. It further gave the illusion of being serious.
What did you do to prepare for your role?
I basically spent two months thinking, “O.K., how can I play this character like he is written and be absolutely nothing like him in real life? How can I get away from the most major aspect of his description—his appearance?” As it is written from Bella’s perspective, she describes him in this obsessively lustful way. She does not see a single flaw in him at all. It’s a very traditional aspect of first or young love. So, it took me ages to think of it, but it ended up being really simple: if you are in love with someone, you can’t see any flaw in the other person. So I finally figured out that I didn’t have to play the most beautiful man on the planet, but just play a man in love.
Why is Edward so alluring?
What I never really understood about his attractiveness, especially to young girls, is his gentlemanliness. I thought that teenage girls like the dangerous aspect of males, and so I tried to emphasize the danger and make the more gentlemanly side of this character a veil to something else underneath. I really tried to make him an incredibly strong and powerful character, but at the same time self-loathing and extremely vulnerable.
So you saw Edward as sometimes vulnerable?
Yes. When his life is put into basic terms, he has nothing to live for and all he wants to do is either become a human or die. The only reason that he hasn’t died is because he is too scared; he doesn’t think that he has a soul. Then he meets Bella, who makes him feel like a human and feel alive again. At the same time, her human vulnerability makes him incredibly vulnerable, because even with his super speed and his super strength, he still can’t fully protect her. Whenever she is in danger, he is in danger. If she dies or goes anywhere, then he is gone, too.
What was your favorite scene to shoot?
I knew that there were some scenes where I was going to have to look demonic and have a glare that would scare humans. That was difficult to prepare. My favorite scene that we ended up shooting was this little random one near the beginning where I try and intimidate Bella by being a scary vampire and she doesn’t back down at all.
Hometown?
London.
Siblings?
Two sisters, Elizabeth and Victoria.
New York or L.A.?
I like them both for different reasons. They are literally opposite sides of the coin, so it’s kind of nice to switch between the two. New York is incredibly frenetic, and nothing ever happens in L.A.
Trademark style?
Looking terrible. Truly, I wear the same thing every day. I don’t know how to use a washer machine.
What book are you reading?
Dennis Potter’s Ticket to Ride.
Celebrity crush?
I don’t know. I am sure that if I did say anyone’s name, it would be really embarrassing if I met them.
Favorite kind of music?
A lot of different things, but especially blues.
Favorite movie?
A tie between The Exorcist and One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
Do you play any instruments?
Yes, the guitar and the piano.
Mac or P.C.?
I used to prefer Macs, and I have a Mac, but I kind of like the dorkiness of the P.C. commercials.
Do you have any piercings or tattoos?
No.
Do you speak any foreign languages?
I speak French, sort of. At, like, a three-year-old’s standard.
Significant other?
No.
What are some of your interests outside of acting?
I play a lot of music. That’s what I wanted to do before the acting thing accidentally took off—be a musician. All my best friends are musicians and they have all got their albums and deals, and now I am acting.
What type of music do you play?
Van Morrison–ish, Jeff Buckley–ish stuff.
Do you have any upcoming projects?
I don’t want to curse them, but I am doing this thing called Parts Per Billion, which is a kind of existential love story set against the end of the world. It’s one of the most lyrical scripts that I have ever read in my life. I am quite looking forward to doing it. It’s very different.
Kristen Stewart, 18, plays Bella Swan, the clumsy new student at Forks High School who falls in love with the vampire Edward Cullen. Stewart's past film credits include Panic Room, Into the Wild, and In the Land of Women.
VF Daily: Had you read the "Twilight" books before getting the script?
Kristen Stewart: No, I hadn't. I didn't read the books until I got the part. I was working on another movie at the time and I only had time to read the script. I didn't really want to focus on anything else, but everyone was saying the project was such a big deal that I had to read the books.
What was your initial impression of the project?
I thought it was really ambitious, this portrayal of the ultimate, most epic love story that could be. Also, Bella is not a typical female lead. The power balance between her and Edward is really skewed. Edward is this confident, perfect, idealistic man, although deep down he's actually really afraid. Bella is naïve but also sure-footed. Whatever it is inside of her that drives her is stronger than she is. She just trusts the shit out of herself.
Edward, played by Robert Pattinson, and Bella share a very intense love in this film. How was it working with Robert?
Well, I basically cast him. We did one day of auditions and a bunch of guys came in. Catherine Hardwicke, the director, afterwards was like, "What do you think? This is such a hard choice." I was like, "Are you kidding me!? It's such an obvious choice!" It couldn't have been better. It was sort of perfect.
What did you do to prepare for your role?
We were always trying to figure out what it should feel like when Edward touched me, how far away he would have to be until he could smell me, things like that.
Are you naturally clumsy like your character?
Well, I'm definitely not the most graceful being, but it's really difficult to be clumsy on cue. It's like physical comedy. It was fun.
What was it like to work with this young cast?
We had such a big cast, and we were all fairly close in age, and we were together constantly. In that situation you might expect drama to ensue. But we were all so obsessed with this project. We were all focused on the same thing, and it was really creative and ambitious. Nikki Reed and I became really, really good friends. She's really smart and funny. And we have a new movie that we're working on together.
Hometown?
Woodland Hills, California. I'm a total Valley Girl.
Siblings?
Brothers. I'm the youngest.
Trademark style?
I'm a really typical girl. I look like everyone.
Favorite movie?
The Jungle Book. I love Disney movies!
TV shows that you TiVo?
I don't watch TV.
Favorite book?
East of Eden.
Favorite cause?
I would love to be involved in a charity that helps kids who live on the street.
New York or L.A.?
New York.
Significant other?
Yes, Michael Angarano.
Celebrity crush?
Michael Angarano.
Peter Facinelli, 34, plays Dr. Carlisle Cullen, a young vampire who has taken in a group of younger vampires and acts as a father figure to them. Facinelli, who is married to 90210’s Jennie Garth, did stints on Six Feet Under and Damages and starred in Fastlane, a TV show that aired in 2002.
VF Daily: What path did you take to get to Hollywood?
Peter Facinelli: I studied theater at New York University and with the Atlantic Theater Company. My first project, in 1995, was a small role in a movie called Angela, which was directed by Rebecca Miller, who is Arthur Miller’s daughter. I played Lucifer the devil, which was a great role because I was in white makeup from head to toe. I was completely unrecognizable. It is funny that that kicked off my career because I love playing characters that look different than I do or are different in nature.
Had you read the “Twilight” books before getting the script?
I read the first book in one day, and then before filming, I read the second and the third. Now, I am actually into the fourth. I’m a big fan.
What I liked about the “Twilight” series is that it is kind of a throwback to the original vampire vibe, which is that they are these mysterious, beautiful creatures with sexual undertones. Lately I think vampire movies have kind of gotten a bad rap. When I first heard that my agents wanted me to go up for a vampire movie, I was thinking blood and gore—like, zombie movies. Right away I was like, “No, that’s not for me.” And they said, just read the book.
Did it take a lot of time to get ready every day in costume and makeup?
It took a little bit to figure out. I did a week of makeup tests because they wanted to have their own tone and they wanted to make sure that the skin wasn’t too ridiculously Marcel Marceau, but pale enough where you could buy that this person would be a vampire.
We had to get in, put the contact lenses in, which for some were harder than others, and then put the makeup on. I remember one product they used was this battery-charged airbrush makeup thing. It’s an ionizer, so if the makeup person touched you while they were using it, it would give a little shock. That was always fun at six in the morning.
Is it at all strange to play an adoptive father to actors so close in age to you?
My oldest child is 11, and when I first heard of the project and they told me I had an 18-year-old kid I said, “Well, I’m not getting this part.” You know, I don’t think that’s even theoretically possible for me to have an 18-year-old. But my character is the patriarch of his family, and that was something I could tap into.
Hometown?
Ozone Park, Queens. Now I live in Los Angeles, in Taluca Lake.
New York or L.A.?
I moved out to L.A. in 1995. I’m probably more of an L.A. person now, because I’m just more laid back. But New York will always be home to me because my mom and dad are there, and I grew up there.
What is your family like?
I have three sisters, so I have been surrounded by women my whole life. Now it’s me, my wife, and my three children.
How old are your kids?
Eleven, five, and two.
Celebrity crush?
Yes. My celebrity crush is on Rob Pattinson. Just kidding. My wife, Jennie Garth, of course, would be my celebrity crush.
TV shows you TiVo?
Damages and Dexter.
Favorite book?
I love biographies. My favorite, I think, is Robert Mitchum’s biography.
Favorite movie?
There are so many good movies that it would be hard to narrow it down.
Favorite kind of music?
Whatever’s on the radio. But I love 60s and 70s music.
Do you have a dream director or actor you’d love to work with?
One person for both: Sean Penn. I always wanted to work with Paul Newman. I never got the chance to, but he’s a big inspiration.
What are some of your interests outside of acting?
I play a lot of chauffeur. I am actually my daughter’s soccer coach. I like to play racquetball. I like yoga. But mostly I am a family man. When it comes down to it, I’m mostly hanging with the family. And it’s fun having three kids because you get to remain a kid and continue taking them to fun events that I probably wouldn’t do if I was by myself.
Do you have any upcoming projects?
I’m doing a Showtime series with Edie Falco called Nurse Jackie. We start filming November 10, and it will air in the next year.
Are you feeling the effects of being in such a highly touted movie?
I take it all with a grain of salt. You never know what’s going to happen. I hope the movie comes out and does extremely well. I’m proud to be part of it.
Edi Gathegi, 29, plays Laurent, a vampire who temporarily relinquishes his thirst for human blood and leaves Forks, Washington, in search of a more human-friendly coven when fellow vampires James and Victoria decide to hunt Bella Swan. Gathegi was in the film Gone Baby Gone and has appeared on House and C.S.I. Miami.
VF Daily: How did you initially become interested in acting?
Edi Gathegi: At U.C. Santa Barbara, I was undeclared as an undergraduate and I was interested in playing basketball. I was training with some of my teammates and I blew my knee out. I decided that I wanted to take a somewhat easy course because I was depressed, so I took an acting class. I fell in love with acting. I auditioned for their conservatory, got in, and called my parents and told them that this is what I wanted to do with my life. They supported me, and the rest is history. As for grad school, I applied to a lot of schools and by the graces of God or whoever, I got into N.Y.U., which I am told is the best one.
Had you read the “Twilight” books before getting the script?
I found out that I was going to get the part of Laurent, so I read Twilight and got the script right after. I had not heard about the books until I knew that I was up for the part.
What did you do to prepare for your role?
There were several stages of preparation that I went through. There was a physical preparation—I wanted to make sure that I resembled a vampire that could exist in the world that Stephenie Meyer created. For my character preparation, I knew that it was going to be a challenge to learn a slight French accent, so I felt that it was a smart move for me to learn as much French as I could and then just tone it down. I just sort of immersed myself in all things French. I even tried to get myself a French girlfriend, but that didn’t work out.
What did you do to create the dark vampire persona?
I think that different actors go about their preparation differently, but when it comes to acting, I use my imagination. I also have the belief that we have all emotions in us and that we each have darkness within us. It depends on what we choose to access. I have found that because I am generally a happy person, it is kind of fun for me to explore that darker side. Villains are fun to play.
Do you think the characters in the book resemble the characters in the film?
I think that I can safely say that all of the characters in the film are very close to what Stephenie Meyer has written in her first “Twilight” book. She was a consultant on the film, so I think that she was around to ensure that we stayed very close to her vision. And I think that is why she ultimately went with this studio to make the film and this production. In my opinion, as a fan of the book, I think it is as similar as it is going to get.
Did you meet Stephenie Meyer?
Yes. Stephenie is a doll. I totally adore her. I did not meet her on set, but we ended up meeting at a dinner that the studio threw for the producers, the actors, the lot, and Stephenie. I ended up sitting next to her for the majority of the night and got to know her. She is just as great in person as she is in her interviews, and I am so happy that this success has fallen in her lap because she worked hard for it.
Hometown?
Albany, California.
Siblings?
Two siblings, “Betty G” and “Nate Dawg.”
Education?
U.C. Santa Barbara, N.Y.U. graduate-school acting program (Tisch School of the Arts).
New York or L.A.?
That is a tough question. I prefer New York, to be honest. New York is the only city that I have ever lived in that I have felt at home.
Trademark style?
I rock a baseball cap all the time. I want to have a collection of tons of hats.
What book are you reading?
Dennis Lehane’s The Given Day. However, I think I am going to put that one on hold for a couple days, because I told myself that I was going to read The Host while completing the Twilight junket tour.
Celebrity crush?
Jessica Rabbit.
Favorite kind of music?
I have eclectic taste. I appreciate anything that makes me feel good.
Favorite movie?
Kung Fu Hustle, but I cringe when I have to give one title, because I have literally 13 to 15 favorite movies. I guess the right answer would be Twilight, but I haven’t seen it yet.
Favorite cause?
Right now, it is getting Barack Obama into office.
Do you play any instruments?
No longer.
Mac or P.C.?
I am a recent Mac convert.
Do you have any piercings or tattoos?
No.
TV shows that you TiVo?
Entourage, Rescue Me, The Shield, Nip/Tuck, and Life on Mars.
Significant other?
No.
What are some of your interests outside of acting?
I am sort of an adventurer. I like to explore new places. I don’t get to travel as often as I would like but I love it. I also love sports, reading, and watching films.
How do you think participating in this film series will affect your future as an actor?
I am managing my expectations. I am hearing every day how big this film is going to be, and believe me, I want it to be huge. The best I can hope for is that I begin to work really consistently on a bunch of high-profile projects as a result of this movie. That is the ultimate dream.
Do you have any upcoming projects?
I play Deputy Martin in My Bloody Valentine, which is coming out on January 16. It is a 1980s horror remake and it is in 3-D. It is technically my first lead role, so I am really excited.
Cam Gigandet, 26, plays James, the evil “tracker” vampire who makes it his mission to torture and kill Bella, thus taking her away from Edward. Gigandet’s credits include roles on the television shows The Young and The Restless, Jack and Bobby, and The O.C., as well as the film Never Back Down.
VF Daily: Had you read the “Twilight” books before getting the script?
Cam Gigandet: I read the first one months prior.
Which book is your favorite in the series?
I have just started the second one.
What was your initial reaction to the idea of playing a vampire?
It’s going to be a challenge to live in a world that I can only experience through my imagination.
James seems so sinister in the book. Was it hard for you to relate to him?
Maybe it was hard to justify his actions, but what he is going through was very relatable.
What did you do to prepare for your role?
A lot of focus was on the relationships and reasoning our actions.
What did you like best about playing James?
Playing with the idea of immortality, and how it is both good and bad. And his fears were really intriguing to me.
Which scene was your favorite to film?
The ballet scene.
What was it like working with such a young cast?
It was great because collaboration was everywhere.
Were there any particularly funny moments on set?
All I have to say is chicken and honey …
What have you done to prepare yourself for the mania surrounding the film?
Nothing really. I don’t want to give myself any expectations. I’m just hanging on.
Do you have any upcoming projects?
Pandorum and The Unborn are next.
Ashley Greene, 21, plays Alice Cullen, the adopted daughter of Carlisle and Esme Cullen. Alice’s visions of the future lead her to the Cullen family, and her powers play a crucial role in protecting Bella Swan. Greene has appearances on the television shows Crossing Jordan, Desire, and Shark.
VF Daily: Had you read the “Twilight” books before getting the script?
Ashley Greene: When I was going to audition, I actually went out and got the first book and read it before the first meeting. I read it in a day and a half, and then I read the second and third. I’m finishing up the fourth so I can have it done before the movie comes out.
Which book in the series is your favorite?
I liked the first one. I think that it was my favorite, which is funny because Alice’s part gets larger and larger in the second and third books. The fourth one is very interesting and different. It’s turning out to be really cool.
Did you immediately like Twilight when you first read it?
Oh my gosh, yes. My managers can vouch for how badly I really wanted the part, and my friends and family know how hard I worked on it. I can relate with the fans as far as how they’re in love with the Edward character, because he’s literally this perfect being and I totally get it. It’s so funny working with all these people and seeing them in real life. I’m just as big a fan of Stephenie [Meyer] and of the books as anybody else. I just happened to get the opportunity to portray Alice.
What did you do to prepare for your role?
Obviously, Alice has these amazing powers. For the psychic thing, I had to watch movies such as The Fifth Element to get a sense of it. I had read all the books and there’s a ton of stuff online.
We actually got to film where [Meyer] set the book, which is kind of cool. We filmed in Portland, Oregon, and then we would drive up to Washington as well. We were up there two weeks before we started shooting.
What was your favorite scene to shoot?
Definitely the fight scene. I’d never done wire work before, so that was absolutely amazing. It was like being on a roller coaster.
What was the vibe on the set? Did everyone get along well?
We did. I didn’t know what to expect because we’re a large and very young cast with a fairly good amount of pressure on us. We all got along great and we really meshed well, which is nice because I’ve heard … [Laughs.] We had fun. We’d film 12 hours a day and then get off and go hang out and eat dinner together. We got lucky.
What have you done to prepare yourself for the mania surrounding the film?
You don’t really know what to do. That’s the thing. I hadn’t really done anything major and then this came about, so it’s kind of surreal. It’s been amazing so far and, speaking for myself, and I think for everybody else, the fans are really supportive and it’s all been really good. I’m enjoying it right now and it’s really exciting, as long as people don’t, you know, follow me home. I think that Robert Pattinson might have that problem, but I think that I’m in the clear.
Hometown?
Jacksonville, Florida.
Siblings?
I have one brother, Joe, who is 23. We’re really, really close. He still lives in Jacksonville but actually just the other day was talking about maybe moving out with the little sis and trying his hand at acting.
Significant other?
I do not have a significant other. My career is my boyfriend at the moment.
Celebrity crush?
Oh man, I love Christian Bale and Johnny Depp, and I’ve recently taken a liking to Jon Hamm from Mad Men.
Trademark style?
A shirt, jeans, and flats, mostly—I’m pretty casual. But I also love Audrey Hepburn’s classic, beautiful style.
Favorite movie?
I loved Breakfast at Tiffany’s. I just watched What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, and I had forgotten how great that movie is.
Who do you think are the best actor and actress of all time? Audrey Hepburn, perhaps?
Love her. Love Meryl Streep. I like Charlize Theron and Rachel McAdams. And then of course, I love Johnny Depp.
TV shows that you TiVo?
My roommate and I TiVo Mad Men. I used to be a huge Grey’s Anatomy fan and I’ve got a couple friends on Gossip Girl and 90210, but I think I’m more of a movie person than a TV person, to be honest.
What book are you reading?
I’m reading Breaking Dawn. I like to have Sanford Meisner’s book [about the Meisner acting technique] with me. I read and reread that book because I rely on it for the acting chops.
Favorite musician or band?
I love Linkin Park and I really like Muse. I always work out to Paramore. They’re all on our soundtrack. We have an amazing soundtrack. I grew up with Counting Crows. I have the most random stuff on my iPod. I have everything from country to rock, to rap. I like Lil Wayne and Carrie Underwood.
New York or L.A.?
Oh, goodness. I live in L.A. now and because I’m from Florida, it’s nice because there are some similarities. Once I get the time and the opportunity, I’d love to live in New York for a year, because a couple of my friends live there and I absolutely love the energy in New York right now.
Perez or Gawker?
I’m going to have to say Perez. I love Perez. He’s a trip.
Facebook or MySpace?
I’m not really big on either, but I prefer Facebook out of the two.
Do you have any upcoming projects?
I just finished a film in Canada called Summer and that was really fun. I worked with Stephen McHattie and Peter Mooney. I’m currently in Shreveport, Louisiana, doing a film called Skateland that I’m super-excited about. It’s set in 1983, so that’s really fun because I have the Farrah Fawcett hair.
Taylor Lautner, 16, plays Jacob Black, the teenage son of Billy Black, an elder of the Quileute Indian tribe. Lautner had the title role in The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D and now stars as Christian Slater’s son in the TV series My Own Worst Enemy.
VF Daily: Had you read the “Twilight” books before getting the script?
Taylor Lautner: Actually, before I was cast I hadn’t even heard of “Twilight.” So then when I was actually cast I did my research, and I was like, “Oh, what am I getting myself into?” I’m just excited to be a part of it now.
What did you do to prepare for your role?
Before I went up to Portland, I did some research on the Quileute tribe. I set up a meeting with some real Quileute tribal members in Portland and I got to meet and talk with them. To my surprise, I learned that they are just like me. What they love is sports and girls.
Did it take a lot of time to get ready every day in costume and makeup?
The costume and wardrobe were the easiest part. The most difficult part for me was the wig. It took a while to put on and take off.
Do you relate to any aspects of your character?
Jacob’s very friendly, outgoing, and loves people. I’m pretty similar to that side of him.
What was the vibe like on set?
The cast really had great chemistry and we all hung out. We’re all really good friends now, so that’s really cool.
You’re 16 years old, so you’re probably one of the younger people on set, right?
Yes, I am the youngest.
How was that?
I was a little nervous at first. But no, it was great. I can’t even tell the difference. Everybody’s really nice and easy to relate to.
Have you had crazy experiences yet with a fan?
First of all, Comic-Con was crazy. I knew it was going to be. They had told me, “This is a big event and there’s going to be like 6,000 fans there.” We got there and it was huge. Just coming out onstage and hearing everyone scream and seeing how many people were in that auditorium was crazy. One of the other weirdest fan things is somebody sent me a link and said, “What is this?” And it was a picture of women’s underwear being sold online with “Taylor” written on it. So it was kind of weird to have women’s underwear with my name imprinted on the front.
What are some of your interests outside of acting?
I love sports. I played football and baseball for about seven years. I had to quit the football team about two years ago now and it was a bummer.
I started doing martial arts when I was 6 and I did it until I was 13. My karate instructor was involved in [show] business and he kind of took me into the business. Whenever I would come out to L.A. to train for karate with him, I would go out on auditions, and eventually I realized that I like acting more. So I gave up karate for acting, and now I’m very glad I made that choice.
Are you in school right now?
I’ve always been in a public school until this year, actually. I am working on a TV show on NBC [My Own Worst Enemy], and I would be missing too much school. So I tested out of high school and now I’m taking college classes.
Hometown?
Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Current residence?
I’m living in the L.A. area. I moved out here with my whole family about five years ago.
Siblings?
I have a 10-year-old sister.
What book are you reading?
The “Twilight” series. I actually wasn’t much of a book reader at all before the “Twilight” series. They just draw you in and people love them. They’re terrific books.
Favorite movie?
My favorite movie is Iron Man. I tell people that I think it’s just as good as Dark Knight, if not better, and people tell me I’m crazy. I really like Iron Man.
TV shows that you TiVo?
American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance?
Favorite kind of music?
Everything. No bands in particular. I try and keep up with the top 10 on iTunes.
Do you have a dream director or actor you’d love to work with?
I’d love to do a movie with Denzel Washington, or some action star such as Matt Damon or Mark Wahlberg would be really cool, too.
Celebrity crush?
Jessica Alba.
Significant other?
No one in particular. But I’m a teenage boy, so I date.
Rachelle Lefevre, 29, plays Victoria, a fiery, feline-esque vampire who assists her lover and leader, James, in hunting Bella Swan. Lefevre has also been seen this year on prime-time television shows such as Swingtown, Boston Legal, and Life on Mars.
VF Daily: Had you read the “Twilight” books before getting the script?
Rachelle Lefevre: I hadn’t. I heard about the audition first, and all I saw for the audition was the appointment sheet. It had a little breakdown on it, and I can’t remember exactly what it said, but it was something along the lines of “Victoria: fiery, red-haired, evil, nomadic vampire.” And I was like, I have to play this part. So I ran right out to the bookstore and I bought Twilight. I read it in two and a half days. I was absolutely hooked.
What did you do to prepare for your role?
I read all three books available at the time, got as much information from the books as I could about Victoria, and then sat down and put together a fake backstory on who she was before she was a vampire. I realized that vampires are unique because they are humans first and they were not born monsters. So I thought, How do I bring that kind of humanness and a kind of humanity into playing a vampire? As a result, when I found myself playing the “evil” part, I could not look at her as a monster. I can’t play a character that I am judging. She clearly doesn’t see herself as evil, so what is it about her? What came of this thought process was that she is a kind of menace.
What was it like to play a villain?
Liberating.
Did you meet Stephenie Meyer?
Yes, when I did meet her, I was really excited, but I was sort of awe-struck. I saw her instantly as this purely creative being, and this is really cheesy, but I got quite emotional.
What was your favorite scene to shoot?
In terms of experience, we shot this baseball scene and it was the only scene that we got to shoot with all of the vampires. It was the first scene all together after all the dinners we had, all the talks about our roles, and all the rehearsals. We showed up for this scene all done up as vampires, with our contact lenses in and everything, and it was really cool.
Hometown?
Montreal.
Siblings?
Three sisters.
Education?
McGill University.
New York or L.A.?
Can I say 50-50? But New York is East Coast like Montreal, so it’s nostalgic to me.
Trademark style?
Big hair. My hair walks into a room before I do.
What book are you reading?
Candide, by Voltaire, and The White Man’s Burden, by William Easterly.
Celebrity crush?
Johnny Depp, without question.
Favorite kind of music?
Country.
Favorite movie?
It changes so regularly. Right now I am obsessed with Stage Door and The Philadelphia Story.
Favorite cause?
Literacy. I volunteer with School on Wheels in Los Angeles and I also tutor with Koreh L.A.
Do you play any instruments?
No. I am tone deaf.
Mac or P.C.?
Mac.
Do you speak any foreign languages?
French.
Significant other?
Yes.
What are some of your interests outside acting?
I absolutely love being outdoors. I love hiking and going to the farmers’ market. I also like to read and attend Barry’s Bootcamp. I am pretty much a homebody, but I love to travel.
Do you have any upcoming projects?
I am enjoying the Twilight ride.
How do you think participating in this film series will affect your future as an actor?
It has definitely changed my day-to-day life. It’s changed my viewpoints of the world and my experience at the airport and grocery store, because I am now getting recognized in public.
Jackson Rathbone, 23, plays Jasper Cullen, Alice’s vampire love, who has a strong conscience. Rathbone had the lead role on the television series Beautiful People and a part on The O.C.
VF Daily: Had you read the “Twilight” books before getting the script?
Jackson Rathbone: No, but many friends of mine had and filled me in on the story. Then I read Twilight and I saw what all the fuss was about. Once I landed the role of Jasper, all my cousins wrote me—I have a huge family—and told me how excited they were that I was in the movie because they loved the books so much.
What did you do to prepare for your role?
I ate my steaks blood rare.
What did you like best about playing Jasper?
He’s a vampire barely able to control himself, but he does it for love. Basically, his nobility and sense of honor. Plus, he’s from Texas.
What was your favorite scene to shoot?
All the action sequences, especially the fight scene. I love doing my own stuntwork.
Who were your closest friends on set?
All the Cullens. We were truly like a family on and off set. We would go out to dinner, hang out at the hotel, work out together in the hotel gym, and we even had family sing-a-longs.
What have you done to prepare yourself for the mania surrounding the film?
I’ve been keeping busy with my band, my acting, and my fledgling production company. I am always busy and I like it that way. I’ve always loved the arts and this mania hopefully will help to bring fruition to many of my artistic endeavors.
Have you had any crazy fan encounters yet?
All my fans are amazing and have helped me in my career so much. I couldn’t be an actor without an audience, and I feel blessed to have my fans so much on my side.
Hometown?
Midland, Texas.
Siblings?
Three sisters.
Significant other?
She’s beautiful, but shy. She’s also a guitar.
Celebrity crush?
January Jones from Mad Men. Our band, 100 Monkeys, wrote a song for her.
Trademark look?
Colors that don’t match. I’m colorblind and have embraced it. And always with a hat.
Who do you consider the most stylish man in Hollywood?
Eddie Izzard? I don’t read fashion mags or tabloids … Sorry, I really wouldn’t know.
Favorite movie?
Casablanca.
Who do you think are the greatest actor and actress of all time?
Jack Nicholson and Katharine Hepburn.
TV shows that you TiVo?
South Park and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
What book are you reading?
I’m on a short-story kick, going between Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Franz Kafka.
Favorite musician or band?
Tom Waits.
Favorite cause?
The Spencer Bell Memorial.
New York or L.A.?
The grass is always greener … Manhattan.
Do you have any upcoming projects?
I’m currently in London, filming a psychological thriller called Dread. Also, roles in Samantha D and The Daze. I have a few projects in development with my production company, as well as our band’s yet-to-be-finished album.
Elizabeth Reaser, 33, plays Esme Cullen, the wife of Dr. Carlisle Cullen and the adoptive mother to Edward and his vampire siblings. Carlisle turned her into a vampire when she tried to kill herself after losing her son. Reaser’s breakout performance was as Jane Doe, the mystery patient in Grey’s Anatomy, and she starred in the now defunct The Ex-List.
VF Daily: Had you read the “Twilight” books before getting the script?
Elizabeth Reaser: I had never heard of the books before the audition. In fact, Catherine Hardwicke [the director] told me in the audition that it was a book because I was like, “What the hell is going on here?”
What do you make of the books?
I think the books are insanely popular because Stephenie is a great storyteller. And it’s romantic wish fulfillment.
Did you become friendly with your fellow castmates while filming?
I loved the vampires. They were fun. Also all the gals. Great gals.
Hometown?
Milford, Michigan.
Current residence?
A hotel in La Jolla.
Favorite book?
A tie between In the Skin of a Lion, The End of the Affair, and A Million Little Pieces.
Do you have any actors or directors you would love to work with?
Mike Leigh, Lars von Trier, Woody Allen, Pedro Almodóvar.
What do you do in your free time?
In my free time, I love to lay in bed.
Celebrity crush?
No Hollywood crush.
Nikki Reed, 20, plays Rosalie Hale, the sublimely beautiful vampire who kept her last name after being adopted by the Cullen family. She dislikes Bella Swan and disapproves of her relationship with Edward. Reed’s past film credits include Thirteen, which she co-wrote and starred in, and Lords of Dogtown.
VF Daily: Had you read the “Twilight” books before getting the script?
Nikki Reed: No. I got a phone call about Twilight months before the film was going to be made and there was very little hype about the idea, at least in my world. I hadn’t heard of the books, to be perfectly honest. I read the three books that were available when we were in rehearsal in Portland. This script revolves around Kristen Stewart [Bella] and Rob Pattinson’s [Edward] characters, so the rest of us who wanted to give the movie a deeper feel had to read the books. Rosalie’s character doesn’t really get fleshed out until the third book, so I had to read it to know where she was coming from and to make her more than just background.
Which book in the series is your favorite?
They’re all really different. The third one has a lot of action. I can see it being very visually stimulating on-screen.
What was your initial reaction to the idea of playing a vampire?
Stephenie Meyer created a new kind of vampire in these books. We don’t have fangs, we don’t have blood dripping out of our mouths, we don’t sleep in coffins. I never really thought that I was going to be like Tom Cruise in Interview with the Vampire, because this is such a different take on the theme. But during the three weeks that we were rehearsing, we had classes to learn how to behave in the roles, like movement class. I don’t know how much of it was incorporated in the film, but it was certainly good for the mind.
In the books, Stephenie Meyer describes your character, Rosalie, as this euphorically beautiful creature. What kind of pressure did you feel as the actor portraying that role?
There was a lot of pressure! When you’re playing a character in a book, there’s already a lot of pressure because all of the millions of people who have read the series have been able to envision and become very attached to the characters. It wouldn’t matter if there was a picture of Rosalie on the cover of the book—everyone would still have their own idea of who she is because everyone relates to the characters in a different way. That, by itself, is very intimidating. And then, the punch line for Rosalie is that she’s the most beautiful person in the world. I’m very aware that that is Rosalie and this is me, and that beauty is subjective. I don’t think anyone can fill those shoes. I did the best that I could. I think that once the movie comes out, everyone will realize that we are these characters. End of story. I have brown hair, tan skin, and I’m not six feet tall. Ashley Greene is much taller than me in real life, and she plays Alice, who is supposed to be four feet 10 inches. So I was in these monster, hand-crafted heels, like stilts, at all times. You make exceptions when you cast actors, and I had to go the furthest by far. It was fun—a lot of time in the makeup chair!
Did you become friendly with your fellow castmates while filming?
Kristen Stewart and I became really close. I’ve worked for a really long time and I’ve done a lot of youth-oriented films, which means I’ve worked with a lot of people my age. It’s very unnatural to be plucked out of our life and put on location, wherever that is, and be told, “This is your cast and these are the people you’re going to get to know in the next six months.” It’s very common to become close with those people in that time, and then everyone goes back to their lives. It’s very hard on the heart. I think that as a person you become very callous. You become very aware that things are transient—they come, they go. Kristen and I had a very natural progression to our friendship. She was in rehearsal on her own a lot, as was I, but we became very close over the months and now I’m like a part of her family.
How have you prepared yourself for the mania that will likely ensue when the film is released?
How does one prepare for that?! I don’t think any of us are prepared to deal with the insanity that’s come along. And I mean insanity in the most positive way. The frenzy of the little-girl culture is something very unique, and I can only say that because I was one. The obsession—I can’t really explain it. Everything is heightened to the maximum. It’s just nuts! It’s spread like wildfire and the film hasn’t even come out yet. They love the characters we play. When I walk down the street, people call my character’s name!
Hometown?
L.A., but I grew up all over.
Siblings?
One older brother and one younger brother.
Significant other?
No.
Celebrity crushes?
Val Kilmer in Tombstone, Paul Newman in The Left Handed Gun, and Gary Oldman in Basquiat.
Who do you consider to be the most stylish women in Hollywood?
Merle Oberon and Audrey Hepburn.
Favorite movies?
City of God, True Romance, Nowhere in Africa, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Lion King.
Whose career would you most like to follow?
Holly Hunter.
Favorite book?
Wuthering Heights, Color of Water, Reading Lolita in Tehran, They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky, The Robber Bride, A Thousand Splendid Suns, Go Ask Alice, and Schindler’s List.
Favorite music groups?
The Raconteurs and Kings of Leon.
Favorite cause?
My little brother is autistic, so I would love to be involved in a charity for autism, but I haven’t found the right one yet.
New York or L.A.?
New York.
Tina Fey or Sarah Palin?
Tina Fey could run this country before Sarah Palin could!
Facebook or MySpace?
Neither! I don’t believe in any of this new-wave generation stuff that’s all about connections on the Internet. That’s the charity that I want to start. It’s called “Kids, Get Your Ass into Books and Off of MySpace!”
Forbidden Fruit
