Jackson thinks Robert is fantastic ..

starts @ 4:07

New Video of Robert from the LA Premiere

Interview with Kellan, Nikki and Jackson :)

They've been sitting in a room together for the better part of two hours, but the cast members of New Moon continue to howl with laughter - and conjure some truly deep thoughts - as they talk about the unique challenges involved in bringing a teen literature phenomenon to life.
In this session of interviews, the members of the Cullen vampire clan - and its extended family of adopted sons and daughters - talk about their creative process.
For Kellan Lutz, a former Abercrombie & Fitch model who paid his dues on soaps and various TV roles before landing the part of Emmett Cullen, the Twilight phenomenon revolves around the rebirth of a Romeo and Juliet story.
For Nikki Reed, the wunderkind who penned the screenplay for Thirteen, as well as acted in the feature starring Holly Hunter and Evan Rachel Ward, bringing Stephenie Meyer's tomes to the big screen have presented several challenges - both professionally, as well as intellectually.
For Jackson Rathbone, a former musical player, saying little said the most.
In the hopes of ensuring their ideas get all the breadth they deserve - without editorializing - here is a transcript of the conversation.
Canwest: Has anything surprised you along the way? Were you ready for the craziness from day one?
Kellan Lutz: You hit the nail on the head there darling. (Laughs from the others). Craziness and surprise. From day one, I didn't know it was a book even, until my good friend Ashley Greene came knocking on my door and gave me the books to read. And I did all this reading
Jackson Rathbone: That was surprise number one he reads.
Kellan: Yeah. That was surprise number two: The Reading. And surprise number three was that I really fell in love with these books and understand why the fans enjoy it so much. They're captivating.
CW: Why are they captivating, do you think?
Kellan: It's about forbidden love. It's the Romeo and Juliet of our age and the forbidden love of a cool being, a vampire, who we've all seen as this mystical creature. It's just really cool.
Nikki Reed: I think the biggest surprise for me is first acknowledging the separation between generations. I'm young and I never really acknowledged there was a generation below me but this whole Twitter, MySpace, Facebook like instantly being able to feel connected to people you idolize, it's like participatory fandom. It's like being able to contribute to why someone is successful or not. This has all been very shocking to me because it's something I don't really understand or relate to because when I was young, I liked the Spice Girls but the closest I could get to them was a poster on the wall. You know, we went to Borders and picked one up. It's not like going on their board or Twitterchat with them, whatever that means You know, I think there's a reason why movie stars used to be put on a pedestal and idolized: There were layers between you and that person. It was a respected art. There was a disconnect that no longer exists.
CW: How and what do you think about that current lack of a disconnect? What are we losing as the line between fantasy and reality begins to erode?
Nikki: I think it's a shame now because we are just as dependent on that as they are on us allowing them to do that. Unfortunately, people like Lauren Conrad and Paris Hilton, I feel the definition of what an actor is has been completely lost to my generation. And at certain times, I feel embarrassed.
CW: I think you're right. I think people have no idea what real acting is anymore. Celebrity seems to be sufficient. And people see no distinction between the two. And quite sadly, what you guys are doing in these movies isn't all that easy. You guys are animating these impossible characters and making them feel real, which is the result of craft, but few people even take the acting into consideration when they talk about the Twilight series. Is that frustrating?
Nikki: They will see it when they go to see New Moon and they see Mr. Taylor Lautner because that kid will blow you away. The amount of I mean who cares that he put on forty pounds and spent countless hours at the gym to make his body look good. You're not even aware of that when you're watching the scene. You're watching his eyes. I mean, that is someone who really respected what he was doing and brought an honesty and integrity and an innocence and a warmth to a character that was somewhat intimidating to play initially because of the amount of attention that Edward Cullen, um, was getting - I'm not talking about Rob, I `m talking about the character of Edward - I think that will bring it all back to the reality of hard work being put into the performance.
CW: And for you, Nikki, given your experience already, were there any specific challenges for you as an actor?
Nikki: At the risk of sounding completely lame, I'm going to say not in New Moon. Not because I didn't care, but because I wasn't in it, really. Um. We stay true to the books and the Cullens aren't really in New Moon that much, but definitely throughout the series it's challenging. It's challenging to not get caught up in the hundreds of millions of opinions that are being tossed to you right and left all the time. It's hard to stay focused on the set when you've made friends with everyone you're working with but your relationship with them onscreen is not necessarily the relationship you have with them off-screen. You know, it's all challenging. And also in Eclipse, I'm doing a lot of flashback scenes, and I'm really getting into my character. So hopefully in our next round of interviews we can talk a little bit more about that.
CW: What do you think the message behind this franchise is, if there is one?
Nikki: I think it represents, especially in the case of Bella and Edward, a rather codependent, obsessive kind of love. And literally, Bella is willing to give up her life, her soul, her family - everything in her life - because nothing is more important than this man. And I think that's unrealistic. I mean, that's living in a fantasy bubble. That's not how life is. That's not what love is. That's why Edward is so unattainable, and it's also what makes him so appealing. And that's what - to me - makes it so unhealthy.
CW: Unhealthy?
Nikki: Whereas the Jacob character I've always had time for because I think that's real. And not just because he's a human being, but because he's not asking her to sacrifice anything.
CW: It's unfortunate when there's a creative disconnect between your own feelings for the character and what's on the page. Did you ever want to recreate the characters in your own mind? And can you even do that? How much leeway was there in terms of bringing your self, and your intellect into the role?
Nikki: It's a different approach when you start a film and it's all laid out before you and you don't get to develop them on your own. And contrary to what other people might say, I don't feel like I've contributed to Rosalie (Hale, adopted sister to Edward). I had a large bag of questions for Stephenie when we started because I wanted to understand her, and I stick with that, but this is still a very unfamiliar process I'm sorry, but this suddenly turned into a you and me interview. I'm now alone here.
CW: The boys deserted you? I won't get to ask Jackson a question?
Jackson: No, we're here. We're just amazed at everything Nikki is saying.
Nikki: I can ramble quite a bit.
CW: Okay then. Given this is a story of vampires and werewolves, how do you make sure this doesn't come off as entirely cheesy. The genre is really old, and some might even say long in the tooth How did you steer clear of the camp factor?
Nikki: That's a really great question, because it's something we all struggle with daily when we are working, just because it can go one of two ways and we feel a responsibility to Stephenie to make sure we're true to the series that is so beloved by so many people. But even just touching on what you and I just touched on for five seconds everything can be picked apart. Everything can be represented differently depending on perspectives. You can make sense out of anything, and you can relate to anything.
Kellan: It's cool how Stephenie did decide to portray us as vampires, because we're vampires trying to portray humans who live in a civilized reality. You know, we go to high school. And she depicts us with our pale skin and our golden eyes - so a lot of the description has to do with the fact that we're not human, but we're trying to access humanity.
CW: So no fangs. But you know what I mean? The last movie really rode the edge of camp.
Kellan: It's true. And that's why it was so challenging for us as actors to find the right line.
CW: How do you do it?
Kellan: You see the beauty of what she's created and you pull back.

Source: Canada.com

Tú Magazine Interview

Credit goes to Twilight Poison for scaning and translating!

 

This saga has knocked off major franchises from the top; it seems there’s nothing more than New Moon now. How do you feel about Twilight’s success covering the entire world?
Kellan: It’s very rewarding to have this many fans, who have given us all their support. As actors we try to give them our best.
Nikki: I think Kellan just answered for all of us. Twilight has been a huge success that we were not expecting. we’re very grateful.
Jackson, as Jasper, do you feel passion for the role you play in this movie? The fans know the books very well and can’t wait to see your work.
Jackson: Twilight fans are very devoted, they notice every little detail about the characters in the books, and they’re very aware of what’s going on during filming, which is amazing.
Have any of you ever lived an impossible love story like Edward and Bella’s?
A love as obsessive as theirs, no. But when I was younger I did have a love like that. Fortunately, time makes you grow mentally and physically, so now I look for a balance when I have someone special.

Do you have anything in common with your characters?
Nikki: I have a similar style to Rosalie, but I’m definitely more femenine than her.
Kellan: Nikki is just as gorgeous as her character Rosalie, and personally I love Emmett, especially when the script asks me to get more and more depressed, or when it asks me to kick butts. That’s the fun part.
Jackson: All my family is from Lousiana and Texas, so I’m used to that whole school methodology. And growing up like a Southern gentleman is everything I could be, so I feel very close to my character.
What’s the best thing about being a vampire?
Kellan: You never sleep, so that lets you do many different things, and your To-Do list is always empty. The bad ting is that you can’t get a tan, and you need an umbrella everytime you go out in te sun. There’s also the whole idea of being eternal and not dying that is not very appealing to me, because the fact that we know we are all going to die one day is what makes us live everyday to the fullest. However, living in different eras makes you see how history repeats itself, how the world changes for better or for worse. If I had been a vampire I would’ve loved to live the 50’s, the 60’s, the 70’s, the 80’s…. I love those times and I would’ve loved to live in them and see today how far we’ve come. That would be cool.
Nikki: I think they’re strength it’s amazing, for me.
Speaking of fans, what is the most forward thing they’ve ever said to you?
Jackson: I’ve had marriage proposals, which is nice. In fact, I’ve created files and I classify them as “Yes, probably. I’d like her to be my future ex-wife… my second ex-wife” (laughs).
Kellan: We actually thought of making a reality show for Jackson called ‘Who wants to marry a vampire?’, with all his marriage proposals and the girls who adore him, it would be great!
Nikki: The fact that I’m in a film with mostly guys and the majority of the fans being between 10 and 30, makes it a little difficult for me to receive as many marriage proposals as they do. I get perhaps two or three via e-mail, which I’ve kept because they make me feel good.

Another Cast Interview

His Golden Eyes had an Interview with Kellan, Nikki Reed and Jackson Rathbone

The interviewers in the call included Kimmy from HisGoldenEyes, and Twilight Facebook, Twilight Lexicon, Twilight Series Theories, Twilighters Anonymous, Twilight Moms, His Golden Eyes, Twilighters, Twilight Superfan, Bella and Edward, and Twilight Source.

Q: How do you think Rosalie in New Moon is going to be different from Rosalie in Twilight? Are we going to see more of Rosalie’s other side?

Nikki: The Cullens aren’t really in New Moon as I’m sure you guys know because of the books and Chris Weitz making it very clear that we’re going to stick to the storyline. So, we’re not really in New Moon all that much, but I did have an opportunity in the voting scene to show a different aspect of her personality, just because we were sort of setting up for Eclipse, because that’s really my opportunity to explore Rosalie as a character. So I guess, I guess in the voting scene, I worked really close with Chris to make sure that the speech that I give conveys exactly what I want it to. I don’t know if that answers your question, I’m sorry.

[No, no; yeah.]

Nikki: It’s been a long day. I think that when you have eight hundred pages in a book you have the time to explore each character, and so although Stephenie didn’t write one-dimensional characters, I mean all of our characters are very full and colorful; when you’re trying to execute that in a screenplay it can be really difficult because they have to focus on the love story between Bella and Edward. So in Twilight, you know, Rosalie was written, I guess the few opportunities I had to be on screen I was angry or bitchy and I don’t think that that’s what Rosalie is. So I’ve been trying my best to incorporate other aspects of her personality.

Q: Following up on what you said about incorporating the different aspects of her personality, where do you find your inspiration to portray a character that is in some senses somewhat of an unlikeable character, but she has that other you know, really human side to her? Where do you find your inspiration to bring out some of that from?

Nikki: I think, I guess years of exploring my own personality in terms of understanding that most of the time anger is actually just a way to hide insecurities or you know, fear or sadness. And so I knew, I knew immediately sort of where Rosalie was coming from and I also have two siblings that I’m very protective of, two brothers. So I guess it sort of stems from that.

Q: Can you tell me how much the atmosphere, the overall atmosphere and work style has changed from Catherine Hardwicke to Chris Weitz?

Kellan: I think they’re very much just different directors. And Catherine’s energy was very prominent and needed in a way to start the ‘Twilight’ franchise and get it off the ground. And with New Moon it’s a different type of style in the book, which means the movie’s got to be a different style. And Chris was, had it all just prepared for us actors to step in there, he made us a packet of pages and papers on how he saw the scenes, and just really had everything organized. So when we had questions as actors he had the answers ready and it was very just in both cases just different. It was just such a well oiled machine with New Moon and just very easy.

Q: What was your favorite scene to film in New Moon?

Jackson: I’ve got to say my favorite scene to film was in the trailer and you got to see a glimpse of it. And that wasn’t even quite the entire scene so hopefully you know, people are still going to be surprised by the scene of the birthday party whenever. In my mind it’s kind of the catalyst for the entire idea of New Moon, and the Cullens kind of getting out of Dodge, if you excuse my tongue there. It’s kind of the idea that you know, finally Bella is really having to face the idea of what it is to be in a relationship with a vampire and the downside of it you know, what happens when you get something as simple as a paper cut and how that can screw everything up. And suddenly the Cullens are gone and we take off in order to protect Bella and it’s one of those things where she doesn’t really feel protected, she feels abandoned, but luckily she’s got her good friend, Jacob Black, who starts to become a little bit more than just a good friend. You see that whole side of things, the wolf boys.

Q: As many of the cast members are musicians yourselves, what sort of role do you think music plays in both Twilight and New Moon, both the songs from the soundtrack and those from the score?
Nikki: That’s for you Jay.
Jackson: I’m sorry, can you repeat the question?
Q: Sure, since so many of you are musicians yourselves outside of acting I was wondering what sort of role you think the music plays in the movies. There was so much emphasis placed on the soundtrack and the score in both Twilight and New Moon, I just wanted to kind of get your perspective.
Jackson: Ah, yeah as a musician myself, I’ve done soundtrack work, it’s one of those issues where the music has to be really closely tied to the movie you’re watching. It’s one of those things where music can really draw an emotion; it can really evoke a certain feeling within you like you know sadness or despondency. I mean how many times have you heard a song on the radio that makes you cry. I mean it happens, there’s a lot of emotion in music, it can be used really well and I think Twilight did that extremely well. After watching New Moon I mean….
Nikki: Yeah I think more so in New Moon, only because I think in ‘New Moon’ there are a lot of moments, there are a lot of long, I don’t want to say long dramatic pauses, but moments where you sort of need the music to communicate with you because of the subject matter and really to bring it all together with Bella’s traumatic emotional journey.
Kellan: Yeah I definitely agree. I mean when I read New Moon, being a male, you know it kind of was a little slower for me because I really couldn’t grasp what a female would go through in a way. And I know, I’m not trying to talk for most men but I feel like Bella did go through some characteristics that a lot of females do. And kind of on a relationship-basis you know, with growing up and there are parts of the book where there are a lot of pages of that, and watching New Moon, Chris found a brilliant way to captivate that and make it; I mean there’s a lot of pages say he made thirty pages of just sitting there as Bella did and showed it within like a minute of film. It was really cool and I think music really you know, is an important part to when you do see those beats in the movie where you don’t need dialogue. You can express a lot just with expressions and not words that the music helps motivate those feelings with the audience.
Nikki: Just helps you feel it.
Q: These movies have been made and put out pretty quickly so far, and have you guys been able to just really step back and enjoy it all of the hype that’s going along with it, or do you feel that you’re kind of just caught up in a whirlwind?
Nikki: Wow that’s very, that’s very loaded, that question. I guess a little bit of both. We’ve certainly felt, I think, you know the push and the exposure from the series and I think we’re all really grateful to be a part of it, but I guess things are moving quite quickly. We’re turning around and pumping these, I mean it’s only like four months ago that we wrapped New Moon or less than that actually three months ago. We’re already here training and getting ready for the next, two weeks into the next. So there isn’t a lot of time to reflect I would say. I spent a lot of this year traveling and the end of last year just because I grew up really fast and I spent most of my childhood being really concerned about like what the next job was going to be and working and working and working. And so when I sort of recognized that that’s what was going to happen with this series, we were going to have just a few months in-between to do whatever we wanted, whether that be like work and focus on another project or take a break, I chose to take a break. So I did a lot of traveling and writing and stuff.
Kellan: I think it’s very cool. It’s kind of a happy medium. I couldn’t imagine being you know, the guys on say Lord of the Rings spend a couple of years in New Zealand you know pumping those bad boys out, that’s a whole other life. Where we’re blessed enough to be a part of this magic carpet ride in this fantastic roller coaster thanks to the fans with all the love and support. But that we do, we are allowed to have breaks in-between and you know really do other films or take a break and go see family or travel the world and then come back and do the next one. And you know it’s kind of sad knowing that there is an end, unlike, you know, Harry Potter in which I mean there was an end but they had so many books to look forward to and to grow with. I mean we are pumping these out quite quickly and to know that Breaking Dawn. But yeah again to reiterate, just knowing and praying that we get to do Breaking Dawn. And we all you know would wish that she would make more books because this is a part of our lives as actors and us as individuals being a part of this. It will be sad when that day comes to close a chapter on it, and it’s not really closing a chapter because we’ll still have the memories and friendships. But you know it’s tough and I really compare it to my football years when your coach says this is your last football game for most of you guys who played high school football and you kind of laugh at it and just want to do it, but then you look back at all the good times that you spent with those other, those players and those friends that you made and it’s never the same.

Jackson talks about jam sessions with Rob

As filming wraps this week on "Eclipse," and "New Moon" is mere weeks away from invading theaters nationwide, we are pleased to report that Jackson Rathbone is alive and well. A few vampire scuffles in Vancouver can't take down the immortal Jasper Hale.

Recently, we caught up with the actor/ 100 Monkeys frontman to talk about what might be his final days as Stephenie Meyer's endearing Confederate vampire. The fan fave was eager to talk about jamming with Robert Pattinson, exploring Jasper's backstory in "Eclipse," and setting his own face on fire.

MTV: Out of the new characters joining the franchise for "New Moon," which is your favorite?

Jackson Rathbone: My favorite character in "New Moon" that wasn't in "Twilight"? I guess my favorite character in "New Moon" is a collective — the Volturi. It's one of those things that's really nice to see, these decadent older vampires that run this vampire society, if you will. I think they're an amazing group of actors that we were able to get for the film, and they are very scary and intimidating. They're all perfect — I mean, Dakota Fanning is a terrifying Jane; absolutely terrifying.

MTV: You guys have all spent so much time together over the last few years. When the cameras stop rolling on set, what do you guys talk about?

Rathbone: Between takes? We just kinda talk about regular things, you know. We're all normal people — we're not vampires in real life. Between takes, we're talking about music we like or what we plan to do once the filming is done. I always bring my guitar with me and my harmonica, and Nikki Reed, Rob and Kristen and a lot of the cast are very musically inclined. So, a lot of times we'll just be jamming between takes, to blow off some of the emotional intensity and have a little fun.

MTV: As the "Saga" moves along, do you feel more or less like your character?

Rathbone: More or less like Jasper? You know, I honestly think, it's more of a Jasper I imagined coming into the first "Twilight." Mainly because I'm able to show my backstory in "Eclipse," where people get to see what really drives Jasper in "Twilight," which you don't really understand. This character, he's always in pain, and [people ask], "Why?" and, "What is his reasoning?" He's had a really dark past, and it follows him around. So, it was really nice to be able to get into those moments, so that explains and informs the way I've been performing through "Twilight" and "New Moon."

MTV: There is so much "Twilight" merch out there now. Do you own any in real life?

Rathbone: Any "Twilight" merchandise in real life? I've not [purchased any]. However, my bandmate Ben Graupner bought a Jasper pillowcase with my face on it. I had to ritualistically burn it, because it was scaring me.

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2 new "New Moon" Posters

 

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Another Jackson Rathbone Interview about Robert

For those who care to look so far back, there was a time when Robert Pattinson was not yet Edward Cullen. Jackson Rathbone, who has since been cast as fellow Cullen, Jasper Hale, at one point had been pretty close to landing the leading male role himself.

 

"I was a choice. I don't think I was [Catherine Hardwick's] first choice," Jackson told us in a recent interview on the set of his new movie, "Girlfriend."

 

But he was a definite choice for author Stephenie Meyer, who had included Jackson on her favorite suggestions list of possible Edwards on her website in July, 2007 before casting was finished (Robert Pattinson was one of the more popular suggestions, but Henry Cavill was her first choice). Jackson emphasized he felt, in both cases, Rob was the first choice once the actors had been narrowed down.

 

"I think he's the best man for the job," Jackson said. "I wouldn't have another Edward Cullen than Robert Pattinson. He's perfect."

 

Had the tables turned and Jackson got the part, it could have been his face lining the tabloid articles he told us he liked to laugh at. Somehow, when he informed us, "I love playing Jasper," we're also assuming he loved missing a huge, gossip-driven bullet (Jackson talks more about that "bullet," er the endless Robert Pattinson- Kristen Stewart romance rumors, at MTV.com).

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