Kristen Stewart is in an enviable position, both in terms of the exposure Twilight is already providing and in how her turn as Bella should play to the series' rabid fans. When it comes to pleasing the latter, she is saddled with impossibly high expectations. And while no one can please everyone, the young actress' reserved, strong performance in the movie should go a long way towards claiming the popular vote.
At 18, Stewart is both mature for her age and, well, a typical 18-year-old girl. She's well-spoken and contemplative; she's also fidgety and clearly still acclimating herself to the newfound round-the-clock focus on her every move. Such a life transformation would be difficult for anyone, but Stewart is managing the situation well, as she demonstrated at a recent press conference. She can look forward to a bright future -- more Twilight films and other project offers.
Q: Had you read the books before you became involved, and were you familiar with this phenomenon?
Stewart: No. I was sent a synopsis. I wasn't interested in looking at other things because I was close to the end of the movie I was working on. This one was, like, forced on me. I read this thing that summed up the movie and I said, "Wow, this is really not what I'm into doing. I don't want to be a part of something that's presenting this really ideological idea of what love is to young girls all over [the world]."
It was very shallow and vain to me. So she's in love with this guy because he's the hottest thing she's ever seen? But then I read the script because I had no choice. (Laughs) I begged for the audition. I hadn't read the book because I go to used book stores.
Q: What was it about the script that changed your mind?
Stewart: It was that Edward isn't perfect at all, which is always, like, the perfect thing for a girl to have because we're like saviors, like maternal beings. It's like a really, really impossible, difficult love that should be ignored, if possible, but it can't be. I'm interested in unhealthy, neurotic people.
The power balance is interesting between the two because you have this one really perfect [person], but he's the one that's really tortured. [He's] not confident. He really thinks that he should just protect this girl and go away. She's the surefooted, strong woman who is willing to subject herself and give up power, which is the most powerful, strong thing you can do, to relinquish that.
Q: Do you believe in the occult and do you have a fascination with it?
Stewart: No, I haven't had a particular fascination with vampires. I mean, I grew up watching vampires movies but it [was never something I got that involved in].
Q: What sort of pressure do you feel living up to the expectations of the fans with this performance?
Stewart: It's really important to me. I don't want to upset people, and people are so passionate about the book. The responsibility that I feel that really overpowers that is something that I've got to put down because I'm done with the movie. I've done my job and all of the responsibility was self-inflicted. It had nothing to do with the fans. I had tunnel vision in Portland making this movie. I didn't even know. Then I come home and go to Comic-Con and it's like, [Wow].
It's weird when you become this figurehead. I don't take any of it personally. I know how they feel. I would put the same amount of pressure on a character I held in that regard.
Q: Are you prepared for the kind of cult status that could come with this role?
Stewart: Yeah, because it doesn't touch you. It doesn't feel like anything. You could go online and cry about what's posted on IMDb. You could [also] just not read it, or even read it and get a kick out of it.
Q: There have been stories from the set that you and Rob [Pattinson] were so invested in the characters and everything was so dark. Did you guys have any fun?
Stewart: We had fun doing that. That's why we were there.
Q: Can you talk about Catherine [Hardwicke]'s style of directing and what she brought to this project?
Stewart: She is incredibly smart. She expresses ideas in the simplest way. There is something wise and trusting about her. I wanted to overcomplicate everything in this movie and take it apart. She would put me in the right place and it would come out right. She doesn't lack enthusiasm. She works 24-7 and it never feels like she is leaving you alone. A lot of directors set you up and say, "Okay, let's see what you've got." She never did that. She was always right there.