by Andy Gibbons

As I mentioned last week, I recently had the chance to sit down with some of the stars Twilight: Eclipse at a posh West End hotel to talk about the latest movie in the huge series. Here Nikki Reed (Rosalie Hale) and Kellan Lutz (Emmett Cullen) talk about the fans, yoga and the beginning of the end…. 

Can you tell me a little about what Eclipse has in store for Rosalie and Emmett?

Nikki – Eclipse is, I think, tonally much different from the other films in that it’s a bit edgier, a bit darker, there’s a lot more action and then of course there’s this love triangle that is think is sort of amplified and heighted. I think it has a bit of something for everyone, every demographic.

We certainly get to learn a lot more about Rosalie and her back story in this film – is this the book you’ve been waiting to film?

Nikki – Selfishly yes, I’ve been really excited and hopeful that we would make it to this movie because I really wanted to have the opportunity to defend Rosalie and justify her behaviour.

Kellan, there plenty of action in Eclipse so I guess you had to be ready. How competitive was it at the gym and I also hear you got into a little yoga?

Kellan – It wasn’t competitive at all, just very encouraging. Working out with Nikki and Elisabeth (Reaser, who plays Esme Cullen) was very fun for me because they’re very much encouraging. It may have got a little competitive from me because I get bored in the gym and seeing a girl as athletic as Nikki, it’s really cool to work out side by side with her and push myself; she’s such an all star at the gym. And then with yoga, Peter (Facinelli, who plays Dr. Carlisle Cullen) got me going and he is very encouraging on that level of activity as well.

I hear you managed a head stand – that’s not bad for a beginner…

Kellan – I did, I did. I was very proud of myself. It hurt but I was there.

Nikki – In the yoga studio or Peter’s room?

Kellan – Well I had a practise so I could show all the female yogaees…. (laughs)

As we mentioned, the action level is really ramped up in Eclipse. Kellan, did that give you that chance to put the all that yoga to good use?

Kellan – I really look forward to any physicality. I love action movies and I love Eclipse; I read the book and I was really hoping we’d get that far for my character ‘cos he’s not really there for the dialogue, he’s there for the presence so he has a lot of importance in the fight sequences.

The fans of Twilight are as hardcore as I’ve seen – can that level of fandemonium ever intimidate?

Nikki – For me there’s always this fear that you’re going to disappoint them because obviously the love of these films came from their love for the books so we always try to make good films, or we try to.

You had the UK premiere last night – how was that? Were you expecting that kind of reaction in London?

Kellan – No, not at all. It was really kinda cool. Just to have the fans come and camp out even without having Rob, Kristen or Taylor there; they still showed face and we really appreciate it because it is a family unit. We couldn’t make these movies without any of the cast members, big or small and it’s just really cool to see the support of the fans.

After Eclipse we have one more book to go – is it in the back of your minds that the end may be in sight?

Nikki – I think it’s quite traumatic as an actor and stepping into like different roles, knowing that you’re going to make these relationships with people and generally they don’t last. But the beauty of doing this series is that we all sort of knew we would see each other again so I think we all sort of put in a little extra effort to get to know other initially and really bond. Because of that we’ve created a true love and appreciation and respect for one another and it’s continued. It’s not like we come back to make these movies and we haven’t seen each other; we all hang out in our real lives so I don’t think about these movies coming to an end because I know we’ll be friends forever.

What’s been the highlight of the last few years?

Kellan – The friendships. Let alone that we all love our characters and that it’s a fun experience to be a part of, we have such a talented group and we’ve made a family.

Nikki – We’re all very different but we’ve found a way to connect.

Finally Kellan, is Emmett’s nickname ‘Monkey Man’ going to be a bit of an albatross around your neck…

Kellan – (laughs) I hope so. I love what Nikki did with that and I love how the fans are so gung ho about it. It’s a fun nickname.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse will be released across the UK on the 9^th July.