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Q & A - Twilight Cast
Twilight at Comic Con was one of the panel discussions I looked forward to the most. I love the book series, and was dying to hear about the movie. So two friends and I spent the night out in the cold on the ground to get front row seating. We ended up in the fifth row, but hey, we were close.
We were fortunate enough to be able to hear almost everything that was said, minus a few screaming tantrums by the grown women around us. I loved the discussion and hope you feel the same way. So without further ado, here is LLH's transcript of our time at Comic Con.
Moderator: First question to Stephenie Meyer and Catherine Hardwicke — So I'd like you to talk about the responsibility of bringing the novel to life. Stephenie, you're obviously not a filmmaker, but it is your book, so we can talk about that, and Catherine, you can talk about converting it to film.
Catherine Hardwicke: Well, when I read Stephenie's book, I fell in love with it like you guys did. So I just wanted to see it come to the screen. I wanted to see Bella and Edward breathing, living, you know we just tried to do the best we could.
Stephenie Meyer: There is that pressure, of course, because all of you screaming people want to see the right movie, and I sort of learned my lesson early in. You know I saw some bad scripts. So I was careful about it the second time around, and we got the right company, we got the right cast, and I think that you guys are going to love it.
So, Taylor, I think everyone out here knows, but I'm going to ask it anyways. Tell us a little bit about your character and his relationship with Bella.
Taylor Lautner: Jacob Black is a Native American. He's part of the Quileute tribe. He's really friendly and outgoing. He's easy to talk to, easy to relate to, and he's a family friend of the Swans. And deep down he's got a crush on Bella.
I'm going to throw this next question out to Edi, Rachelle, and Cam. You guys are kind of the bad vampire trio, and you get to exhibit some pretty unique abilities in the film. Can you talk a little bit about that?
Edi Gathegi: All the stunts in this movie are not CGI. They are real stunts, and the three of us get to walk on the magic carpet. Which is a people mover that is moving about 15 mph, and we're moving in the same direction on top of it, which gives us the illusion that we're going 30 mph through the forest. And that's a really awesome stunt that we get to do.
Cam Gigandet: And we look good doing it.
Rachelle LeFevre: (laughs) We look exceptionally good. I think we had a unique chance to explore some pretty amazing stunts and pretty amazing instincts, getting that we were evil and got to terrorize Bella and Edward, and I think we all had a really good time doing it.
Cam Gigandet: Yeah, we really did. Yeah, we can kind of do whatever we want and didn't have to follow any rules. Which is always fun.
Cam, Never Back Down and this. Some pretty intense fighting, right?
Cam Gigandet: Yeah, it was. You know, it just takes a lot of work, and hopefully at the end of the day, we just, we look good doing what we do.
My next question is to Kristen. So, can you tell us about your first experience with the books and why you think this book series is so popular today?
Kristen Stewart: I don't know where I was living, under a big massive boulder rock. I hadn't heard of the book until Catherine came to me with the project. I don't know I have odd taste. I'm not in the circle. But the movie is really fundamentally what people live for. I mean, it's like trying to depict the most ideological, epic, perfect-not perfect-but perfect in its own perfectness. Love was something that I felt was really ambitious, and something I really wanted to give a shot.
Robert, what's it feel like to have so many fans that can't wait to see you come up on the big screen in the role of Edward?
Robert Pattinson: Well, uh, this is kind of the first time I've seen any of them, so I really didn't expect it. I don't know, it just baffles me. It's nice, it's nice though. I can't even hear anything.
Stephenie, I'm going to ask you. When you were writing the novels, did you envision them someday being films or adapted for the big screen?
Stephenie Meyer: You know, I saw the book as a film before I saw it as a book. I didn't know I was writing a novel I was going to publish, and I could see it in my head. I was seeing the scenes and how it should look before I even thought anyone else was going to see it.
Fan questions to the panel
I just want to ask what it's like to portray super hot vampires in the movie for all you actors?
Robert Pattinson: I don't know how it is playing super hot. I mean, I don't know if I am playing that. I think Rachelle would be all better at answering this question than I am. She's just more intelligent than I am.
Rachelle LeFevre: That's not even remotely true. I think the reason we're all really reluctant to answer that is because we don't see ourselves as that way. But definitely there's something about (makes some motions flipping hair) we're all just so pretty. But vampires are extraordinarily powerful, and there's something really sexy about having that much power, and I think we all enjoy that part of it very much.
For all of the actors. Have any of you an idea on what the soundtrack will be?
Catherine Hardwicke: We did just get a Muse song for the soundtrack. And we got another special surprise. What do you guys think it is? (Points to Robert Pattinson).
Robert Pattinson: Maybe.
Catherine Hardwicke: You guys know Rob is a great musician. So, that's all we can tell you right now.
Can you tell us of any unexpected or spontaneous moments during filming?
Catherine Hardwicke: I remembered one, when we were doing the kissing scene, Rob got a little passionate and fell off the bed to the floor.
What was the inspiration for all the actors to accept the roles as different characters in the book and in the series?
Taylor Lautner: You guys. I'd say you guys are our inspiration. You guys are amazing, and the fans behind this thing is the driving force. So we're all thankful for you, and I know we're looking forward to bringing your book to life.
Why don't we go down the line and say what all attracted you to the project.
Edi Gathegi: It was Stephenie Meyer's book. I wasn't a vampire fan before I knew I was up for the part. When I knew I was up for the part, I read the books, like a good actor does his homework, and the book was phenomenal, and I became a Twilight fan.
Rachelle LeFevre: For me it was when I read the book, because it was written in Bella's point of view and in my own life and in my imagination, I had my own Edward, and I was so in her world. I just wanted to be a part of her world in any way I could, and if that meant I had to terrorize her, then that was what I was going to do.
Cam Gigandet: For me, it was definitely the character of James, it really posed an interesting challenge. It was something that he... Okay, take number 2 - What it was for me was just that heartbreaking, misunderstanding, that force where you see something that you don't have. Whether I saw Edward with Bella, and it was something that was heartbreaking and that I would never have and never had before. So I had to squash it, and it was something heartbreaking.
Kristen Stewart: As you can see, we're a little nervous. Like he (points to Cam) said, it was just the ideal version of love and that's like as some lame, sort of sappy, sensitive girl, that's like what life is about. Plus I got to do this audition with Rob Pattinson and (makes googly eyes). It was on Catherine's bed.
Robert Pattinson: (Jokes) With Catherine.
Catherine Hardwicke: No no no, I was filming.
So, Robert what attracted you to the role?
Robert Pattinson: (mocks fans) Shhh, shhhh, he's going to say something important. (Fans screaming) Geez, I can't even concentrate. I just wanted to play the hottest vampire in the world. (Thumbs up, Cam cheers too). No, really I thought he was essentially the hero of the book. (To fans) What? Yes, he's fantastical too, and he dazzles.
I'm going to ask Catherine a similar question. I mean, your work from the past deals with young adults, but nothing in this genre before.
Catherine Hardwicke: Yeah, right, but I was so taken with the whole romance of it. Almost the Titanic, Romeo and Juliet-two people falling in love from different worlds that shouldn't be together but their love was so strong that they overcame all that to be together. And I thought that it was so romantic and kind of crazy, sexy. I was like, I want to do that.
My question is for Stephenie. What was your inspiration to write the book?
Stephenie Meyer: A lot of you guys know this. I did not plan to write a book. I just had this really great dream, and in my dream, I had this really beautiful vampire and this ordinary girl; although Kristen is too pretty for me to say that here. And they're having this really intense conversation about how much in love they were and how much he wanted to kill her. And when I woke up, I was just taken with that, so I sat down and wrote it down so I wouldn't forget it, and that's sort of what started the whole writing career.
For the actors, for playing the parts for the first part of a series, how does that affect how you act and then you realize, hey my character dies. How does that feel? How does that feel that the fate of your character has already been decided for the present?
Edi Gathegi: Because we don't know whether or not we are going to do the other films. I don't have to worry about that because it might not be me dying.
Rachelle LeFevre: Most of us don't die because you're stuck with us on DVD forever.
I just had to have an excuse to come up and talk to you Robert. (waves) Hi. Could you please describe the process you went through for writing "Bella's Lullaby" or any other music and the emotions you're trying to evoke with it?
Robert Pattinson: The lullaby thing, I don't know if Catherine has decided to use it or not, I just made up on the spot during the scene. I hope that some of the scene drifted into the piano-playing. But other music, I don't know, just comes from somewhere.
Since The Day the Earth Stood Still is coming out the same weekend, who do you think will top the box office: vampires or aliens?
Catherine Hardwicke: There's room for both of us, I hope.
I have two questions. First one: how come you guys picked cute guys to play the characters?
Stephenie Meyer: Because that's how I write them.
For Robert: How do like knowing that you're one of the most-wanted guys in America?
Robert Pattinson: I reckon for most people that have talked to me for like two minutes and it's all gone. Seriously. It's filling a void in my life. I need love, I think. I need something.
Is it really nerve-wrecking that you have this really big expectation to live up to?
Catherine Hardwicke: Yes, that's a big yes. We hope you guys like it, because everybody worked super hard.
How do you work through that?
Catherine Hardwicke: Well, I think everyday we just tried to do the best we could and make it the best movie we could, and that's all you can do.
Kristen Stewart: Give it a 110%, and we did.
Catherine Hardwicke: And some of you guys that came to the set, like in the freezing weather and stayed there all night kind of encouraged us.
Rob, this next questions for you. I heard you wrote a journal while getting into character for Edward, you shut yourself away and everything. When is your publishing date? Because we're going to scream for it until you do.
Robert Pattinson: Stephenie's already written it, she's just hiding it from me. Just keeping it a secret. It's a lot better than mine is, mine is only about three pages long.
Last question for Taylor and for Rob, or Edward and Jacob. Is it boxers or briefs or nothing?
Robert Pattinson: That we give each other?
Catherine, where are we at now in terms of the production?
Catherine Hardwicke: Oh, we've done like ten weeks in the editing room. And we're working on the music, the sound now, all those special details, all the special effects and everything. So the movie's looking really good, you guys.
Stephenie, I'm going to piggy-back off of that. How are you feeling with what you're seeing?
Stephenie Meyer: So, I've seen an estimated fifteen minutes of footage. Being on set for days, a minute probably films a day actually makes it into the movie. I get to see the rest of it soon. So I'm excited.
The cast, is this the first you've seen today? Or have you caught some glimpses?
Edi Gathegi: This is the most that I've seen. We do an additional eighty hours of dialogue recording, so we have to watch a little bit of it to match your lines if you couldn't hear your lines in the film. So this is the most I've seen, and I kind of loved it.
Rachelle LeFevre: We're actually waiting for it like you are. I remember when the second trailer was coming out, I was like, "What? There's a second trailer?" Like, I was going online looking for it. So we're kind of graced too.
I have a question for Stephenie. Do you consider yourself as an extension of Bella?
Stephenie Meyer: No, Bella and I are really different. In fact, if you get inside my head, I have a lot more in common with Edward, oddly enough. We tend to see the world the same way, but I sometimes feel like Bella's sort of my daughter. I get mad at some of the decisions she makes, and sometimes I want to beat her head into the wall.
Do you guys think you'll do New Moon and Eclipse if they do it? Are you guys already signed up? Yeah, would you do it if they asked you, besides James, since you die, I'm sorry.
Cam Gigandet: I do?
Rachelle LeFevre: NO!
Edi Gathegi: If we did the second movie, in my case, I would love to be in it.
Cam Gigandet: So would I.
What I want to ask too, it's a very inclement environment that you shot in right? Where'd you guys shoot, and what was the weather like and that sort of thing?
Catherine Hardwicke: We shot in Oregon and Washington, and we had kind of extreme weather, as you guys know. So we had like rain, hail, snow, freezing cold and sun all in the same day.
I'm assuming you specifically picked that right?
Catherine Hardwicke: Yeah.
My question is for Taylor and Rob. How do you feel about being enemies, like in the movie is it hard for you to be all mean to each other and glaring at each other?
Taylor Lautner: Yeah I guess so because, I hate to say it, but in real life I have nothing against Rob. Uh, sorry. He's a great guy — that's our secret. I don't know about his feelings, but...
Robert Pattinson: Are you saying you're better than me?
Taylor Lautner: What?
(Fans screaming so much, conversation and answers could not be heard.)
I've actually got a question for Kristen. As we saw in that clip, you get tossed around quite a bit. Could you talk about some of the action you did in the film and how you took it?
Kristen Stewart: I took it like a champ. I kind of get off on stuff like that. The harder thing than getting thrown into columns and you know, getting my face smashed into mirrors was being clumsy on cue — not that I had any problem doing that when I'm chilling. But it's not like physical comedy is the easiest. It's way harder than getting thrown around in stunt work.
Catherine Hardwicke: Kristen is really a good stunt person. She's really athletic. She's being a little bit modest.
This is for Rob. I wanted to know what your favorite Bella and Edward moment is, and if you have filmed it yet or if it's in one of the upcoming books or movies?
Robert Pattinson: Hmmm... my favorite... hmmm... Maybe, well that goes without saying, my favorite scene was like a little scene I did with Kristen where I'm trying to intimidate her, and she doesn't get intimidated, and she's not scared of me at all. I think we shot it at the very beginning of the shoot.
I'd also like Kristen, Stephenie and Catherine to answer that question. What's your favorite Bella and Edward moment?
Kristen Stewart: Man... I'm going to give you three because those were the first that came in. I don't want to pick my favorite because I'm going to be held to it, and I don't like that. I'm just going to have to choose from the first book because that's what we did, that's what we lived, and that's sort of what's...
There's a part where we have to leave each other. It's a sweet moment, but it's, like, really sad. You know she's going off with Alice to go down to Phoenix, and it's the first time they've actually had to say good-bye to each other and worried that they may never see each other again. That was good. I liked that. It was heavy for me.
And then there's this one part where I like and this is actually this wasn't, you guys may not think that this is a Bella and Edward moment; this is something we did on set. I hope it qualifies, I hope it's in the movie. We were doing some improv at one point and we're like frolicking in the leaves and just playing around and he's like being cocky and I stick my finger in his mouth and say, "You wanna taste?" And he doesn't do it.
Stephenie Meyer: From Twilight? Because if it was from all the books, then my favorite Bella and Edward scene is in book four. But in Twilight the movie, from what I've seen, one of my favorites was the Bella and Edward's conversation in the hospital hallway, when he's trying to convince her to butt out, and she wants to know the truth. And I just thought it had a whole lot of tension, it looked really good.
Catherine Hardwicke: I got to say I like "How long have you been seventeen?" That scene. That's my favorite.
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