For Twilight fans, Robert Pattinson will forever be known as vampire heartthrob Edward Cullen. However, he almost missed out on the role that launched his career.
The film's director, Catherine Hardwicke, recalled the casting process for The Twilight Saga on the Nov. 20 episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, revealing that the studio behind the 2008 vampire romance didn't believe in Pattinson. The shape is appropriate.
"When he came to my house, he had dark bangs and was a little out of shape from hanging out in bars," Hardwick said of Pattinson's first audition, which she taped and sent to Summit Entertainment.
Hardwick later had to convince the production company that she could "make this guy look great" over the phone, telling them: "We're doing a makeover with the hair and everything, he's going to start working out, he's going to be great pretty".
The Twilight films, based on Stephenie Meyer's series of novels, grossed $3.3 billion at the global box office and made stars of Pattinson and Kristen Stewart (aka Bella Swan).
Rob sealed it with a kiss
Hardwick also shared details about Pattinson and Stewart's first audition during an appearance on The Big Hit Show podcast in 2022.
While rehearsing scenes at the director's house, Pattinson kissed his future co-star for the first time and successfully convinced Hardwicke and Stewart that he was the best man for the job.
"They did a kissing scene and he fell to the floor," Hardwick recalled. "He fell off the bed. I said, 'Man, calm down.' I was there filming with my little video camera, whatever... Finally, Kristen said, 'It's got to be Rob.'"
He wants to administer twilight justice
Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the Twilight director also recently explained why she felt the need to give Pattinson "a lot of love and encouragement" on the set of the movie.
"Rob is a very humble guy and very self-deprecating in a way," she revealed. "He was nervous, 'Am I living up to the requirements of the book? Am I pretty enough for the book?' I'd say, 'Let's just do this scene and if I have any questions, I'll let you know. '"
