LATimes Portrait: Ashley Greene

LATimes: 'Eclipse' premieres in London: Kellan Lutz loves his Calvins!

At right: Kellan Lutz at the Los Angeles premiere of "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse." The same vampire flick that he helped promote Thursday at its UK premiere in London.

But while walking the black carpet for "Eclipse" on June 24 in L.A., Lutz subtly reminded us of his moonlighting gig as an underwear model -- witness product placement at its best.

Oh, and you're welcome.

Want a closer look at those Calvins? Click the pic for a bigger version. And click past the break for a shot of Lutz at the London premiere.




Related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip:

HOT PHOTOS: Kellan Lutz for Calvin Klein underwear revealed

Kellan Lutz ponders the brass ring for 'Love, Wedding, Marriage'

Stars of 'Eclipse' play in the shadows at the premiere after-party

Kellan Lutz, Ashley Greene strike 'Breaking Dawn' deals

Kellan Lutz cast as Poseidon in 'War of the Gods': Shirtless guarantee!



LATimes

'Twilight: Eclipse': Here's the scoop with six new star interviews

Yvonne Villarreal goes in-depth on "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" in this piece, which is a longer version of her Sunday Calendar story.

The family that slays together, stays together. At least that's the case for the Cullen brood.

In "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," which hits theaters June 30, Seattle is ravaged by a series of killings caused by an army of newborn vampires controlled by revenge-seeking bloodsucker Victoria. To combat the threat against Bella (Kristen Stewart) in this third installment of the franchise, the Cullens must band together and join forces with their sworn enemies, the wolf pack.

"The whole family is in a vulnerable position because of the love we have for Bella," said Elizabeth Reaser, who plays matriarch Esme Cullen. "If she's not OK, we're not OK."

In the past, we've seen the clan hit baseballs so hard that they can play only in a thunderstorm, to block out the sound. And we've watched the buttoned-up human imposters welcome Bella into their home as the human girlfriend of one of their own — the handsome Edward.

"This time around, you get to see their true vampire-ness," said Peter Facinelli, who plays head vampire Dr. Carlisle Cullen in the series based on the bestselling books by Stephenie Meyer.

The film is being helmed by David Slade, the edgy filmmaker behind “Hard Candy” and “30 Days of Night.” And if the trailer is any indication, he’s definitely given the franchise a darker sensibility.

“The guys are going to bring their girlfriends to this one, mark my words,” said Kellan Lutz, who plays Emmett Cullen. “There’s a lot of fighting, a lot of cool stunts. It’s a little darker. The stuff I’ve seen so far is amazing. Amazing. The music is great. Everything is just really captivating. I’m excited to see it, and I’m excited for the fans to see it. The stunts are so cool. It was a bit weird, like for the main battle scene where the newborns come in. I mean, we’re looking at these cardboard cutouts as we’re acting, as we’re supposed to be head-butting creatures. So to see it live on the screen is so cool. And running on the treadmills to do the chase scene was awesome. We were being pulled by a truck going really fast to make it seem like we were running at vampiric speed. To see it on screen, it looks epic.”

What else can we expect from the pale-faced Cullen family (which includes the Hale siblings) this go-round? Here's what the actors say audiences can expect from the story and their characters:

Facinelli: "For me, as Carlisle, it's an exciting portion of the series. Carlisle is very compassionate and he has a lot of killing to do in this movie. I joke, after he kills the bad guys, he says he's sorry in his head. And, you know, he's calm and level-headed. He's the rock of the family. He usually has a lot of information to draw from because Alice can see into the future and Edward can read minds. In this third movie, he's not getting that information. Neither one of his sources are working, so he's kind of flying blind."

Robert Pattinson (as Edward Cullen): Snagging a phone interview with the brooding dreamboat — who was overseas shooting his latest film, "Bel Ami" — proved difficult. So what can we expect from the lovesick Edward? He promises to love Bella "every moment of forever," as the trailer reveals. He's still hesitant about her becoming a vampire. He's determined to protect her from Victoria. And he's vying with Jacob for her affections. Oh, the life of an antique teenage vampire.

Reaser: "Esme is still a vampire. She still wants to kill people all day long. It was interesting to get in touch with the vampire side of her in ways that haven't really been explored. Her family is in danger and that brings out the mama bear in her.

Ashley Greene (as Alice Cullen): "Yeah, she's delicate and prissy at times, but Alice gets a little edgier with each installment. And with these vampires messing with her family and the people she loves, you're going to see a bit of her toughness. It's a reminder to the audience that even though we restrain ourselves at times, we're still vampires and we're dangerous. You're going to see the dark, dangerous side of Alice."

Kellan Lutz (as Emmett Cullen): "You're going to see a smile on Emmett's face from start to finish. He just loves to fight. And there's a lot of fighting. He sort of plays bigger in this one than the others."

Nikki Reed (as Rosalie Hale): "You see a reason for her attitude. I think fans will feel for her. There was a bit of that in 'New Moon.' Fans got to see a bit of her sensitive side. Her sane side. Her logical side. And her desire to help her family. This time around, she is much more of a participant. She's a survivor. This is her family. So if protecting Bella means protecting her family, she's going to do it."

Jackson Rathbone (as Jasper Hale): "You'll get to see a little bit of the root of what makes Jasper so withdrawn and quiet in the Cullen family. Fans will get some of Jasper's back story in ‘Eclipse.' I got to wear the whole Civil War gear and everything. There's a bit of the softer and darker side of Jasper in this film."


LATimes

Alex Meraz, Julia Jones and Chaske Spencer Article In The LA Times

The 1950s gave us the Rat Pack. The ‘80s, the Brat Pack. These days, the Wolf Pack is roaming the film scene.

Although the "Twilight" franchise may have helped spur the vampire craze with the Cullen brood, the saga's gang of shape-shifters is bringing sexy back to werewolves. And in "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," which hits theaters June 30, that's no different.

"The Cullens are very reserved," said Alex Meraz, who plays Wolf Pack member Paul. "They're vampires, but they're not out killing people. They're not what they're meant to be. Whereas the Wolf Pack, we're through and through animals. We're frisky. We're fun. There's something sexy about that."

Alex Meraz (Paul)

At 25, Meraz is still adjusting to the whirlwind that comes with being in a blockbuster franchise. But don't be fooled. He's not complaining.

"Bring it on," he said. "I was working really hard before, and it just didn't seem to pay off. I'm just really grateful for it all."

Before he caught the acting "virus," Meraz — who admitted his first viewing of "Twilight" was a bootleg version — demonstrated his artistic tendencies through dance, martial arts and painting. In fact, he still breaks out the paint and brushes to maintain his sanity through all the "Twilight" pandemonium.

But it's that pandemonium that gets him amped when talking about the movie.

"The fans are going to love this film," he said. "I didn't get my chance to touch anybody in ‘New Moon.' This time I go at it with Emmett [ Kellan Lutz]. I give him a nice bitch slap. But I'm in wolf form, so maybe it's a big paw slap?

"Oh, and there's a lot more action. It's more Paul wolf. You're going to see my wolf form doing a lot of stuff. You'll just see me running around shirtless once and a while."

So what of all those topless scenes?

"I have a newfound respect for women. I have to keep my figure. Girls are telling me to take my shirt off. It's like, ‘Hello! I'm a person, too!' "

Julia Jones (Leah Clearwater)

Bryce Dallas Howard isn't the only new face to join the burgeoning ensemble cast. Jones will make her debut to the franchise as Leah Clearwater, the scorned and bitter sole female member of the Wolf Pack.

"She's really a tough character," said Jones, 29. "She's pretty angry about a lot of things that she has every right to be angry about. She's miserable and lost and trying to cope internally without a lot of help. And she lashes out quite a bit."

Jones may not be a household name just yet, having appeared in independent films and a few episodes of "ER," but that will surely change for the Boston native come June. And for the woman who said she knew she wanted to be an actress after playing Michael Darling in a production of "Peter Pan" as a child, it'll be a learning process.

"I don't know," Jones said. "I'm just trying to take it easy while I can. It's going to be a new thing to figure out how to navigate this craze. I'm doing my best to prepare myself for all of it."

Chaske Spencer (Sam Uley)

Spencer reprises his role as werewolf Sam Uley, the sometimes disgruntled leader of the Wolf Pack.

Although Spencer hasn't exactly gotten used to the global attention — "It's cool, the recognition. But it's work. I know how to keep my life private" — he said he doesn't regret the decision to join the wildly popular franchise.

"There's a lot more offers," said Spencer, 35. "As an actor, that's all you can hope for: more chances to keep it going."

Spencer is in Arizona shooting his new film "Shouting Secrets," about a successful young writer in Los Angeles who is called back to his Native American background to tend to his ailing mother.

With the media blitz already in full effect for "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," Spencer said working on something completely different is a way to escape. But there's no escaping the constant pleas for spoilers from the new flick. And like his character's quiet, shadow-like wolf form, he only gives a whisper of details.

"This time around, Sam has to put his ego aside to take on this new breed of vampires," Spencer said. "There's a lot of new relationships being formed."

LATimes via eclipsemovie

New/Old Photoshoot Elizabeth Reaser For LA Times (2008)

lionandlamblove via crepusculo-es

LATimes Interview With The Cullens. "Eclipse Is A Bloodbath "

They must battle an army of new vampires controlled by Victoria and this time you’ll get to see their ‘true vampire-ness,’ according to actor Peter Facinelli.

The family that slays together, stays together.

At least that's the case for the Cullen brood.

In "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," which hits theaters June 30, Seattle is ravaged by a series of killings caused by an army of newborn vampires controlled by revenge-seeking bloodsucker Victoria. To combat the threat against Bella ( Kristen Stewart) in this third installment of the franchise, the Cullens must band together and join forces with their sworn enemies, the wolf pack.

"The whole family is in a vulnerable position because of the love we have for Bella," said Elizabeth Reaser, who plays matriarch Esme Cullen. "If she's not OK, we're not OK."

What can we expect from the pale-faced Cullen family (which includes the Hale siblings) this go around? Here's what the actors say audiences can expect from the story and their characters:

Facinelli: "For me, as Carlisle, it's an exciting portion of the series. Carlisle is very compassionate and he has a lot of killing to do in this movie. I joke, after he kills the bad guys, he says he's sorry in his head. And, you know, he's calm and level-headed. He's the rock of the family. He usually has a lot of information to draw from because Alice can see into the future and Edward can read minds. In this third movie, he's not getting that information. Neither one of his sources are working, so he's kind of flying blind."

Reaser: "Esme is still a vampire. She still wants to kill people all day long. It was interesting to get in touch with the vampire side of her in ways that haven't really been explored. Her family is in danger and that brings out the mama bear in her.

Ashley Greene (as Alice Cullen): "Yeah, she's delicate and prissy at times, but Alice gets a little edgier with each installment. And with these vampires messing with her family and the people she loves, you're going to see a bit of her toughness. It's a reminder to the audience that even though we restrain ourselves at times, we're still vampires and we're dangerous. You're going to see the dark, dangerous side of Alice."

Kellan Lutz (as Emmett Cullen): "You're going to see a smile on Emmett's face from start to finish. He just loves to fight. And there's a lot of fighting. He sort of plays bigger in this one than the others."

Jackson Rathbone (as Jasper Hale): "You'll get to see a little bit of the root of what makes Jasper so withdrawn and quiet in the Cullen family. Fans will get some of Jasper's back story in ‘Eclipse.' I got to wear the whole Civil War gear and everything. There's a bit of the softer and darker side of Jasper in this film."

Nikki Reed (as Rosalie Hale): "You see a reason for her attitude. I think fans will feel for her. There was a bit of that in ‘New Moon.' Fans got to see a bit of her sensitive side. Her sane side. Her logical side. And her desire to help her family. This time around, she is much more of a participant. She's a survivor. This is her family. So if protecting Bella means protecting her family, she's going to do it."

Robert Pattinson (as Edward Cullen): Snagging a phone interview with the brooding dreamboat — who was overseas shooting his latest film, "Bel Ami" — proved difficult. So what can we expect from the lovesick Edward? He promises to love Bella "every moment of forever," as the trailer reveals. He's still hesitant about her becoming a vampire. He's determined to protect her from Victoria. And he's vying with Jacob for her affections. Oh, the life of an antique teenage vampire.

LaTimes via KstewRobFans

LA Times Reveals details about “Water for Elephants’ filming location

Previously, WaterforElephantsfilm.com posted that the film’s production company was scouting locations in and around the Cornell and Ithaca, NY. Well today, in an article about props in the film featured in the LA Times, there was a single line that was very telling:

Jim Elyea’s task: to make sure the briefcases the students are carrying look authentic when the film begins shooting this May in Santa Paula, Calif.



Could this mean Ithaca is out and California is in? It might be so.

Source Via waterforelephantsfilm

"Remember Me' Producer: Rob Pattinson A 'Soulful' Presence Who Will Be A Big-Time Actor

"Remember Me," Robert Pattinson's attempt to branch out from his trademark lovelorn-vampire role (to a lovelorn regular-guy role), was only a modest performer at the box office this weekend, earning $8.3 million. But the film offers several notable attributes; in addition to Pattinson's first turn as a leading man in a mainstream release not titled "Twilight," it's a mid-budget drama in a time when such films are an endangered breed. And it came from Summit, a company that has flirted with a number of genres, but never this one.

Just before the film opened this weekend, we caught up with producer Nick Osborne of Underground Management, who with partner Trevor Engelson produced the film, on the challenges of making this type of movie, the acting virtues of one Mr. Pattinson and the perils of shooting in a big city when you've got one of the most famous faces in the world on your set.

-- Steven Zeitchik

24 Frames: A lot of people look at this film and say "Rob Pattinson, Summit, of course it got made." But you toiled for a long time to get it off the ground.

Nick Osborne: It's not an easy movie to get going -- it's a dark love story set in New York, and we kept trying to get it set up at studios and no one was interested. Eventually it got to Allen [Coulter, the director], and he had interest, but we still had trouble finding an actor. There are simply very few actors in that age range who could pull a role like this off. And I was on IMDB Pro one day and put in "male stars 18-27," and he literally came up as No. 2. And we called Summit and they said, "Actually, we really like the kid, we're doing a movie with him."

So this was before the 'Twilight' phenomenon took hold?

NO: It was right around the time of Comic-Con, when they started to realize how big a movie they had on their hands. But we needed to get Rob interested too. He had read a lot of scripts. He was at the Oakwood Apartments and he would drive to the In-N-Out Burger every day and read scripts in the back of his car. And he eventually read ours and said he wanted to do it. Then we had to put together a budget that made sense [about $16 million] before we could get going.

You were able to keep the budget manageable because of the tax credits you received for shooting in New York. But from reading some of the accounts it sounds like the city posed some other issues given a star of Pattinson's popularity.

NO: It was a crazy shoot in many ways. There was fan interest and paparazzi in every outdoor location, especially places with young people and tourists like Central Park and Washington Square Park. We were a small movie so it caused us some problems. The more seasoned paparazzi know in New York [because of the local laws] they can get close to the star and you can't do anything about it. It's almost like a constant negotiation -- "If we give you this will you move back?" It was kind of insane. We had crew members who worked for 30 years who said they had never seen that amount of crazy. And there are Rob and Emilie [de Ravin] trying to do this intimate, dramatic scene.

Did it finally calm down?

NO: It was definitely a relief when we went to the stage the last two weeks. We shot in east Brooklyn. But even outside of Manhattan it could be tough. There was a beach scene where Rob and Emilie kiss, and as we're shooting it we see this paparazzi suddenly coming out of the water. He had swam around for hours with the camera over his head to get a shot.

What? Like some kind of paparazzi mermaid?

NO: It was pretty incredible. But then he got his shot and he made a lot of money off it, so I guess it was worth it.

Do you think the fan frenzy ever gets to Pattinson?

NO: I have a great respect for him. The attention he's gotten over "Twilight" is incredible and he handles it with such grace. I've never seen him in a bad mood about it. The paparazzi do get to him a little, I think, going back to Britain has been a lot easier for him. He told me a story the other day that he was in a pub and after two hours of sitting there the bartender said, "You know, you look just like the kid from 'Twilight.' '' And then the bartender said, "Oh my God, you are that kid."' And then they kind of walked away. [We] Brits are like that. [We're] more self-effacing. A Brit sees a famous person and he almost crosses the street.


Did you see anything from Emilie or Rob that gives you the sense they have seriously bright acting careers ahead of them?

NO: They both take their craft so seriously. There's a soulfulness to them too. And I think Rob really wants to be a serious actor. The other stuff is just part of the job.

Obviously Pattinson's presence helped push this particular film through some development hoops. Do you think better days lie in store for the genre?

NO: Straight-up dramas are tough. You still hear from studios they don't want to do it that much. And when they do it's for a reason. "Dear John" is based on the brand of Nicholas Sparks. "Last Song" will be helped by that too. I love dramas. But critics are harsh. It's almost like when you try to do something serious they bring out the guns even more. But these movies will get made. Every market has a vacuum at some point, and then they need to fill it again.

-- Steven Zeitchik

LATimes Via RMSaturdayUK