'Twilight' stars discuss not feeling worthy, vampire sex appeal

While many Twilight fans have objected to Rob Pattinson's being cast as Edward, the smoldering vampire in the film adaptation of Stephanie Meyer's vampire novel, I feel the former Harry Potter actor looks just right -- a combo of artistic, tragic, with just a touch of the unruly wild side.

Strangely enough, at Thursday's Comic-Con roundtables with only press present, he revealed that he had been just as doubtful as the fans.

"I read the book ages before they did the casting," he told the journalists. "I thought, 'Well, this is really dumb. I'm never, ever [going to get the part]. It's just so pointless even going up for the thing."'Which is what a lot of the fans said after I initially got cast. It was like, 'He wasn't even on the short list.' I spent a lot of time thinking, 'How can I kind of take the whole beautiful thing as an interpretation?' I just realized it's just Bella saying that he's so beautiful, and she's in love with him and obsessed with him, so he could be like, a piece of cheese and she'd think exactly the same thing."

I'd buy a wheel of that cheese. Well, it appears that the fans have come around, judging by the way he was greeted at the Twilight panel later that day. In a way, Pattinson seemed more comfortable before fans started to recognize, and yes, fawn over him.

"It's kind of terrifying in a lot of ways," he admits. "I still can't come to terms with it. It's just strange when -- I'm just terrified of everything. I don't know why. Whereever I go, I'm [he looks around]. I'm just a good freaker outer."

Someone who is firmly on the side of Team Rob is the author, who had her doubts about finding anyone to embody her pale leading man.

"Of course I have a mental picture, and people can't climb in my head and pull those out to use them," Meyer told Zap2it. "I'm actually amazed, particularly with Rob because Edward was a really hard one to cast. When they told me Rob was the one, I looked at the picture and I was like, 'Yeah, he can do a version of Edward. He's definitely got that vampire thing going on.' Then when I was on set, and I got to watch him go from being Rob shifting to being Edward, he actually looked like the Edward in my head. It was a really bizarre experience. Kind of surreal and almost a little scary. He really has it nailed."

No, I think fans will embrace Pattinson as Edward, if not soon, by the time the film comes out this holiday season. The person I'm not thrilled about casting-wise is Taylor Lautner, who plays Bella's pal Jacob Black. Now, don't get me wrong. This is not a Team Edward/Team Jacob thing. I just think Lautner is fine as young, eager Jacob with a crush on Bella, but what happens in Book Two, New Moon, when Jacob gets uh, let's say, a critical growth spurt? Will they recast? Or are they counting on Lautner to mature more in the physical buffness department?

Lautner didn't get much to do in Twilight, even missing out on the fight scenes, but he did get to wear a wig to approximate Jake's hair.

"The wig is like -- actually, it's just like your hair," he tells me, the one Asian girl in the room with long hair. "It's about halfway down my back. It's black hair, itchy. It was interesting."

He's too modest. Co-star Edi Gathegi, who plays the nomadic vampire Laurent, adds, "You looked good though. I've seen pictures."

More highlights from the Twilight roundtable interviews:

- "It's weird to see my character's name on other people's bodies," Lautner about the "Team Jacob" t-shirts
- Gathegi on why vampires are sexy: "Immortality, super strength, super speed. In the book they're described as -- I wouldn't be so pretentious to say that I am that -- but they're gorgeous, they're beautiful. That's just kinda like every guy wants to have that kind of speed and strength and seduce women with their eyes."
- "I'm a Twilight fan. I'm one of them. So I'm online. I can't wait for Breaking Dawn to come out. I'm a Twi-Hard, a diehard Twilight fan. I'm one of 'em. I'm a dork," Gathegi's confession.
- "If I had known how the story was going to turn out, I probably would have started writing from Edward's perspective because it's so much more exciting when the vampires are telling the story. But like I said, human female it's easier to write that way for me." -- author Stephanie Meyer
- Meyer on Bella's appeal: "There are so many girls out there who do not know kung fu, and if a guy jumps them in an alley, they're not going to turn around with a roundhouse kick. When I was in high school, I read. That was my main entertainment. There were a lot of people who were just quieter and aren't having the Prada lifestyle and going to a special school in New York where everyone is rich and fabulous. There's normal people out there, and I think that's one of the reasons why Bella has become so popular."
- Pattinson on acting opposite Kristen Stewart: "That's why I really wanted to do the movie. It just felt really right at the screen test. She's really, really good. She's an amazing actress. She'll be really big. She's strong -- in a lot of ways Bella is kind of a damsel figure in Twilight, and Kristen is kind of tough and stuff. It's interesting because you see this young mortal girl having this relationship with basically this demi-god and she's a lot stronger in a lot of ways. He looks to her for support, which I really liked, and Kristen really has that in her."

For more Comic-Con coverage, check out Zap2it's Misfits of Sci Fi blog, Zap2it's Comic-Con '08 photogallery and Zap2it's Live Twitter.

What do you think about the casting? Do you have a good or bad feeling about this movie?

Comments

Rob Pattinson is perfect casting. He's got buckets of charisma, is an excellent actor (check out The Haunted Airman) and has tremendous screen presence. Lookign forward to seeign him play Salvador Dali in Little Ashes which is released a few weeks before Twilight.

I must admit I think Jacob is completely miscast. But then the harater bores me in the books so I hoep they reduce the role in the films.

Jen | Jul 25, 2008 11:15:31 AM | #

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I am thrilled with Pattinson from what I've seen of the clips so far. He's nailed it.

Kristen is a good atress but I dont think she delivered her line sin the trailers very well. Not sure whats goign on there.

The actor playing Jacob is way too young. It looks silly seeing them side by side at Comic Con. Rob has so much presence that noone would believe that Bella would fall for Jacob. I have to say that Jacob isnt a very convincing charater in the books either.

Carolyn | Jul 25, 2008 11:19:06 AM | #

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i think they are perfect for their roles, all the trailers look awesome and i cant wait for the release party... ill be wearing my "Mrs. Cullen" shirt:

http://twilightshirts.com/shirt/mrscullen

jlewis | Jul 25, 2008 11:19:15 AM | #

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Erm, I feel really out of place here, but I think Taylor is just the way I imagined Jacob in the books... I like him.

Now Rob, on the other hand... He's so-so.

Olivia | Aug 5, 2008 12:44:02 AM | #

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All of my friends are really worried about Rob doing the roll of edward but I think his ganna do amazing! I mean really it is impossible to find a guy that is as amazing as edward, his fictional and differnt with in each twilight fans head. But Rob is pretty darn close to my vision of edward. I think he has to right amount of sexy but creppy look to him and all of the clips of the movie i have seen have really impressed me. I am super excited and cant wait to see how the movie turns out!!!!!

Ashley | Aug 18, 2008 11:57:42 AM | #

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Rob is great! Edward is 17 but he's older and more intense than a highschool boy would be. I think Rob gets that. If it were just two teenagers it wouldn't feel right. He brings intensity to the character that makes him sensual. I think the sensuality is what grabs you. The longing and the hunger. I think that is what Rob brings to Edward. He gets it.

Hannah | Aug 22, 2008 11:11:40 AM | #

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Your post is so interesting. Inspiring and educational. Keep up the good work. I love this blog!

Busby SEO Challenge | Aug 26, 2008 7:54:06 AM | #

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I think the cast you guys picked is and will always be amazing. Rob, Taylor, and Kristen all have what it takes. I can't forget about the amazing author either, Stephanie Meyer. Mrs. Meyer you have inspired me, a yound author in training. Hope you all have a great time working together.

P.S.
I would have to disagree with Carolyn. Of course Taylor looks young and all, but Edward is suppose to be 100+ years old, and Taylor playing Jacob is an outstanding pick. GOOD CHOICES FOR YOU CAST MEMBERS.

Jessica | Aug 30, 2008 4:54:29 PM | #

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I think anyone who objects is dumb, i think all the characters are good for the movie when i found out that Taylor L. was playing Jaocb Black i wasn't too thrilled i mean i didn't really care but then i saw how he looked and i think he should stay ecpesially if he is doing some shirt-less scenes! Because i'm here to tell you that boy is totally SMEXI (Majorly Sexy)!!!! AND I'M ALMOST DONE WITH ECLIPSE!!

Twilight Series = Best Books Ever Writen!

Kellie | Oct 17, 2008 2:52:34 PM | #

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which book was more popular when it came out , the first Twilight or Harry Potter?

cristina | Nov 25, 2008 5:54:32 PM | #

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Before I read this page, I was just thinking about the miscasting of jacob. He is so little and really a child. In the next books he needs to become a big musculair guy and I don't see that happen with Taylor.

Linda | Feb 18, 2009 1:17:31 PM | #

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Rob fits perfectly in the part of edward. I read new moon it was great. Although chapter 3 really scared me. I even cried when edward you know.

Isabella | Feb 21, 2009 11:11:14 AM | #

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Robert Pattinson definitely tries his hardest to fit the role of Edward. Albeit, according to an interview he was told to 'tone it down' regarding the dark-somber-moodiness of what he thought Edward was to be portrayed. I believe they did a good job casting him and with the coming of New Moon, I'm sure he'll do better. Give the guy a bit of a break. As for Kristen Stewart as Bella... they missed on this one. She's cute, she fits well with the look of Bella, but she just didn't get the role right. It seemed as tho she struggled the whole time to be obsessed about Edward, which was not apparent. I think it should be mandatory that these actors read the books and get a true feel for who they are portraying. BUT again, give the girl a break, she's young and it'll take time for her to learn how to play a role accurately. We shall see and I hope New Moon is better than Twilight.

Kat | Feb 22, 2009 11:27:18 PM | #

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