Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner whip 'Twilight'/'New Moon' fans into a frenzy

Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson

It’s safe to say that whenever Robert Pattinson appears at a public event, screaming female fans will surely follow him. A year after Pattinson and his "Twilight" co-stars Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart participated in a panel discussion at the 2008 edition of Comic-Con International in San Diego, the three stars returned to Comic-Con for a July 23 panel discussion about "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," "Twilight’s" first sequel, which arrives in theaters November 20. Joining Pattinson, Stewart and Lautner this time around were co-star Ashley Greene and "New Moon" director Chris Weitz.

There was still plenty of screaming from many of the approximately 6,000 people in attendance (especially when Pattinson was getting ready to answer a question), but there’s no doubt that the enormous fan anticipation for the "New Moon" film has eclipsed the anticipation for its predecessor. And, of course, compared to last year at this time, Pattinson has become a major heartthrob around the world since the release of the "Twilight" movie, which is the first installment in a film series based on the Stephenie Meyer novels. While "Twilight" told the story of the blossoming romance between high-school student Bella Swan (played by Stewart) and vampire Edward Cullen (played by Pattinson), "New Moon" follows Edward and Bella’s angst-ridden breakup and the emerging love triangle between Bella, Edward and Bella’s close friend Jacob Black (played by Lautner), who’s secretly a werewolf. Greene reprises her role as Alice Cullen, Edward’s adoptive sister.

But at Comic-Con 2009, the only angst seen on the "New Moon" panel was when Pattinson and Stewart, showing embarrassment and discomfort with all the attention directed at them, frequently bowed their heads and mumbled while running their fingers through their hair. Lautner was all smiles and seemed to be the most eager to please the fans in attendance, while Greene was composed and reserved. Attendees were also shown two clips from "New Moon": one with Bella falling off a motorcycle and a shirtless Jacob coming to the rescue, and the other with Bella running across a fountain to go to a shirtless Edward. Here is the complete rundown of what everyone on the panel had to say when answering questions from the panel moderator and audience members.

Chris, tell us why you became a fan of the "Twilight" books and why did you want to direct "New Moon"?

Weitz: [He says jokingly] I’ve been stalking Rob Pattinson for the last 10 years, so when I got a chance to get within touching distance of him, I jumped at the opportunity. [He says seriously] Actually, I think it’s really an extraordinary cast who did the first ["Twilight"] film, and I was very keen to work with them. Like most people of the male gender, I hadn’t read "Twilight" before the … film came up, but once I read it, I realized that it dealt with all these deep emotions that everyone feels: first love and heartbreak and the ecstasy of reunion. Having been dumped so many times in my life, I felt that I could sympathize with Bella’s character.

Ashley, what has it been like for you this past year?

Greene: It’s been incredible. I got to be part of this incredible franchise, and we’ve got amazing fans. You’re all so supportive and great. I’m really proud to be a part of it, and I’ve learned a ton. This ["Twilight" movie] was my first [big] job, really, so it’s an incredible first job.

Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson at Comic-Con International 2009

Taylor, can you talk about Jacob’s transformation in "New Moon" and what you had to do to transform yourself?

Lautner: Jacob, he goes through a lot in this movie. He transforms mentally and emotionally, which is extremely important, but the most challenging for me was physically. So I had a lot of hard work cut out for me after filming "Twilight." So I worked really hard to try and transform Jacob’s body so I could portray him correctly for all of you guys. And I hope you guys are pleased when you see the results.

Kristen, in "New Moon," Bella faces a lot of conflicts. Was it more difficult for you to prepare for "New Moon" than it was for you to prepare for "Twilight"?

Stewart: It wasn’t about the preparation. It was definitely harder to do this movie ["New Moon"], going through what I had to go through. I think she’s less of a protagonist at the beginning of the story, which makes it more powerful when she stands back, because she’s literally, completely a non-participant in her life. She basically dies. So to stand back from that was not that easy.

Robert Pattinson at Comic-Con International 2009

Rob, in "New Moon" you appear mostly in Bella’s thoughts. How did you go about playing that on screen?

Pattinson: I did very little to help that situation. Chris [Weitz] and his special effects designed and basically allowed me to stand on a green box and lurk and stay expressionless — and all these machines did the acting for me. Just the way I like it!

Rob, you showed your comedy skills in "How to Be," so do you see yourself doing any more comedic roles in the future?

Pattinson: Yeah. I don’t know if I’m particularly funny. One of my legs is shorter than the other, so it makes everything look really awkward. I can look like an idiot, but I don’t know if I can ever be witty. [He laughs.]

In "New Moon," the darkest parts of your characters show that you’re selfish. What did you have to bring from inside yourselves to play that dark side?

Greene: It’s not that I’m selfish. I think everyone is kind of selfish.

Just to flip that question, what personality traits do you have in common with your "Twilight" character?

Greene: With Alice, I had a lot of time playing her, because she’s very optimistic and positive, and I try to be positive and I’m generally a happy person. And there’s really an intense bond that she has with her family, and I have the same bond with my personal family. I definitely use that.

Stewart: I think the question started out right: She [Bella] is intent on doing what she needs to do for herself and not be ashamed of it. And even when she changes her mind, it’s OK. She’s sort of everywhere. She’s not ashamed of it. She doesn’t have to explain herself. She just feels what she feels and that’s it.

Lautner: I would hope that most of my close friends and family who know me would say that I’m more like Jacob’s pre-transformation side, because that’s before he goes wacko. So I hope I’m more friendly and outgoing than this dark, disturbed person, this monster. Actually, I don’t think he’s a monster yet.

Pattinson: [He says to Weitz] How am I like my character?

Weitz: I noticed that you’re very cold to the touch and have skin like marble and that you glow like a diamond when the sun hits.

Pattinson: I look a bit like him [Edward Cullen].

Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart at Comic-Con International 2009

Kristen, did you really ride that motorcycle in "New Moon" or was that special effects or a stunt person?

Stewart: No. I got on the back of this dorky rigged tank thing. It wasn’t cool at all.

Lautner: It looked awesome!

Rob, would you ever consider doing open-mic nights again, even now that you’re really famous?

Pattinson: I would. I’m just kind of a pussy, I guess. That’s the problem. I’d love to. I think everyone should do open-mic. I think it’s a very healthy thing for your soul. But yeah, I’d love to do it again.

Have you see the fan-reaction videos to the "New Moon" trailer? And Are you afraid?

Weitz: I and everyone in the editing and the people working on visual effects have seen the fan-reaction videos, and we could not be more pleased and tickled by them. Some of them are very intense in their reactions, and I wouldn’t want them to get mad at me if I get anything wrong in the movie. But to be honest, the editor and I were talking about doing a fan-reaction video to the fan-reaction video, because it’s just incredibly amusing and inspiring in these very dark and long days when we work at the rather tedious job of putting together the little bits of film. We love them.

How has filming "New Moon" been different from "Twilight," in terms of the locations (Portland, Oregon, for "Twilight," Vancouver for "New Moon") and the interest from fans?

Greene: I think Portland has a lot more of an edge to it. I think the difference, for me, on the second ["New Moon"] is that there’s a bigger following. There’s a lot more people who are aware of who we are. There’s just a ton of fans versus a couple here and there.

Lautner: Those places are just cold and wet. They’re very beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but it’s just not fun not wearing any clothes there.

Chris, what was the biggest challenge for you to do "New Moon"?

Weitz: There were a lot of challenges to this film, because of the werewolves, because of the trip to Italy. There are a lot of logistical challenges which are rather boring, so I won’t even enumerate them. I’ll just say that the wolves are going to be great. Filming in Italy was a tremendous challenge, because everybody knew we were going to be in Montepulciano — and I mean everybody.

Everywhere where the camera wasn’t pointed, there were hundreds of fans there. And it wasn’t so much that we minded them being there; it was great. As a matter of fact, people applauded after ever take, which is unheard of. It was like doing theater or something. But it was the sheer logistics of getting through all the fans to get through to where we had to stand by the camera.

There was one moment where I really had to go to the bathroom, but there was no one single café that I could walk into where I wouldn’t be mobbed. And by the way, it’s not because I’m me, but it’s because people were interested if I could set up a meeting with Rob or another member of the cast. So that was quite difficult, actually, but also intriguing and fun in the same way.

Taylor Lautner in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon"

Taylor, how was it filming half-naked in the random weather conditions of Vancouver?

Lautner: It was quite cold … We did this scene where it was raining. It wasn’t really raining out there, actually a little bit, but we needed it to rain harder, so we used this rain-tower rain, which is straight from the wells. [He says to Weitz] Is that true?

Weitz: It’s cold storm weather.

Lautner: It’s so cold! So all I was wearing was jeans shorts, and it was a long scene. And to have to stand out there — and we did that scene all day long, for 12 hours. It was really, really cold. It was hard, but [we were] doing it all for you guys.

What was the funniest moment on the set when you were filming "New Moon"?

Weitz: I think it was seeing me walk outside every day, pretending to be a director.

Lautner: With your stick?

Weitz: Oh yeah. I grew attached — because we shot a lot of scenes in the forest — to having a stick, kind of like Gandalf the wizard, under the assumption that it would give me an air of authority … I suppose that was the most unintentionally funny moment.

Stewart: [She says to Weitz] I liked the way your clothes fit you. It was freezing cold and he would wear six different sweaters instead of wearing one loose sweater.

Weitz: I guess in the back of my mind, I always thought, "On the days when Taylor and Kristen are in the rain and to show that [I feel for them], I’ll just wear a T-shirt or strip down." And then I saw them and thought, "Screw that! It’s really cold, so give me some extra layers."

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon"

What was your favorite memory of filming in Italy?

Stewart: Definitely finishing, My last shot. I felt like I might not be able to stand up anymore. I was such a sort of a charged moment when we all finished. I didn’t believe it was done. It didn’t feel right but at the same time it was … a sense of accomplishment.

What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming "Twilight" films?

Greene: I’m excited about this whole intense fight scene that we’re supposed to have.

Lautner: I’m excited for the height of the love triangle, when me and this guy [he nods at Pattinson] have to try and become friends to Bella. The sleeping bag scene! The sleeping scene! Yes!

Stewart: I can’t wait to actually get pregnant.

Pattinson: Actually being involved in the [Bella’s] Caesarean [section]. I just can’t wait! [He laughs.]

Chris Weitz (standing) with Kristen Stewart (far left) on the set of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon"

What was it like doing the same character with a different director?

Pattinson: I had a supporting role in this one ["New Moon"]. I liked it, so it was kind of relaxed to begin with, and Chris was a very peaceful person. It was just very smooth sailing … It was a good experience.

Lautner: [He says to Weitz] What did the shirt say that you wore?

Stewart: "Keep calm and carry on."

Lautner: Yeah, that’s Chris. He’s so calm and kept the set so relaxed … I know we were looking at the results, and I know I was sitting back, wondering how he was doing this … We’re not stressing at all, because he keeps the set that way.

Stewart: Chris was the perfect guy to have done this. In the first one, [with] Catherine [Hardwicke, the director of "Twilight"], everything was impulsive and natural and fast. Impulsive is the best word to describe it. It just felt like we didn’t have to think about it; we just went for it. In this one ["New Moon"], we had a little bit more time to think. It was a little bit more cerebral. And considering what I had to go through in the movie … He’s [Chris Weitz] the most considerate guy I ever met in my life. He made it so easy.

Greene: He was so great. He was so considerate of us. In the first one, I agree as well, there was a lot more nervous energy. There was no rhyme or reason; we just kind of did it.

Stewart: Which is why I liked the first one so much, but this one was a different … thing.

Chris, can you talk about the action and stunts in "New Moon"? And did anyone get injured?

Weitz: There were several injuries. Kristen went down with a sprained ankle at one point. No deaths. I’m very proud of that … There’s a CGI element to this film, there’s an action element to this film that is more intense than the first movie. It was stuff that I had done before, and really it’s about hiring the best people you know more than I do, frankly. It’s not like I’m an impresario of action or CG. I just happen to know people who are good at it.

I wish I could tell you more exciting stories of horrible injuries. I will tell you that Taylor did every single stunt that he could possibly get is hands on — every stunt except the ones the insurance company said he wasn’t allowed to do. If Jacob is doing something dangerous or impressive in the film, it’s pretty much Taylor doing it. And Rob just stood there looking good, really.

Jackson Rathbone and Ashley Greene in "Twilight"

Ashley, what was it like working with the rest of the cast, like the ones who played the members of the Volturi vampire coven?

Greene: It was so much fun. The cast of the original "Twilight’ was great to get along with. We all liked each other. It was really, really fun to go to work every day. And yeah, there were a couple of new kids that came in ["New Moon"] — all of which are really talented actors. All of us really get along, which is unheard of with a huge, young cast. It’s really fun. I learned a lot from working with a lot of different people.

Taylor, what kind of physical training did you to bulk up for "New Moon"?

Lautner: Obviously, hitting the gym and finding a personal trainer has helped me. I originally hit the gym, started eating a lot, I put on some weight. And then I started losing weight. I started freaking out. Where’s all this weight I was putting on going? What I found out was I was overworking myself. I was in the gym six to seven days a week, doing two-a-days. I was actually burning more calories than I was taking in. So that was my biggest problem. I actually had to cut things back. When I forgot to break a sweat, my trainer would have me stop and relax. Kristen teased me about that on set a lot.

Stewart: Don’t freak out. You might burn a few too many calories.

Lautner: But the hardest thing for me was eating, eating constantly. Good foods, but always …

Weitz: It helps to eat constantly. You should give a shout-out to Jordan, your trainer.

Lautner: Jordan Yuam. He’s really talented. He helped me a lot with this process. He’s always on set, like, shoving food in my mouth. Literally, I’d be talking to somebody and he comes up with a plate. He wakes me up in the morning. He’s like, "Take this protein shake." I’m like, "I’m sleeping." Yeah, I have a lot of people to thank.

Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon"

How have you prospered from this "Twilight" experience? Rob, do you feel stronger as Edward Cullen?

Pattinson: At the end of the day, it’s just a part. You just go into it and you live your life. You’re walking down the street and — this a bad analogy — you step on a stone and it flies away and you don’t know where it’s going. And then you’re just trying not to drown. And that’s my life.

Weitz: The last film I made [before "New Moon"] ended up being re-cut by the studio, and my experience with it ended up being quite a terrible one. And this ["New Moon"] has been entirely different in dealing with Summit and dealing with this young cast. They said some very kind things about me, which I told them to, but it’s been a tremendously rejuvenating process for me. I now remember how much fun it can be to make a film —and that’s [to do with] the people you work with.

Taylor, what have you learned about Native American culture because of playing Jacob?

Lautner: For "Twilight," I actually had the opportunity to have some Quileutes come to Portland. And I actually had the opportunity to have dinner with them and talk to them. The main thing I was focusing on was I wanted to learn more about the kids my age, what they like to do in their free time. And I was expecting something different. I was expecting to have to change myself to have to do that. But I asked this kid who was around my age, "So what do you do in your free time? What do you do for fun?" He’s like, "I play basketball. I go to the beach." "What do you go to the beach [for]? Do you throw a football around?" "No, I check out girls." It was really funny!

The interesting thing I learned is that they’re just like me. They do the same things I do. Wait! Ex that! It was awesome to have the opportunity to meet with them and learn more about their legends and stuff. It was great. I’m really grateful that they came down to Portland from Forks [in Washington state].

Weitz: Tell them how you get to speak in Quileute in "New Moon." It’s true.

Lautner: It’s true. I do get to say a Quileute line. I won’t say it for you here.

Weitz: You’ll have to wait. It’s very important.

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in "The Twilight Saga: New Moon"

Compared to "Twilight," everything is bigger with "New Moon," from the movie budget to the fan base to the expectations. Can you talk about how you dealt with that?

Weitz: I think one of the things that was really important in approaching this movie was to notice that strengths lay in the intimate, emotional relationships between the characters, and not to let things get out of hand, and still know it was a story about people — even if they’re vampires or werewolves, they’re still people. But the book expands massively from Bella’s small world in Forks, to Italy and the world of the Volturi, to the world of the wolves in the forest. The key thing was to keep them all coherent and faithful to the book, and to really try to make something grand and beautiful out of this book.

Pattinson: It was different doing this … I always found Edward … well, you know his character is all about restraint — and so I always found it difficult to think of how to incorporate movement, how to move as a character. In "New Moon," it felt like a lot of the shots seemed to be set up so I could have as little movement as possible. And I think that actually really helped, because I didn’t always have to drive. It was always camera movements that drove a scene.

Weitz: [He says jokingly] He just wanted to spend as little energy as possible. No, you had a good fight scene.

Pattinson: Yeah. The difference between Catherine [Hardwicke and Chris Weitz], is Catherine is much more zoom and [using] hand-held [cameras]. It’s very difficult to look graceful doing it. This ["New Moon"] … has a darkness to the character, even in the fight scene at the end.

Lautner: When we were making "Twilight," we knew what we were making; we didn’t know the reaction we were going to get from you guys [the fans]. So we’re really thankful over the past year what you guys have done. And going into "New Moon," we know what we’re doing. We know you guys are all behind us and supporting us. So I think we were more confident, because we know we have you behind us. But I’d be lying if I say I never got nervous, because we all, of course, want to please you and make sure we live up to your expectations. We had a great time, and it was awesome to reunite the team and be back with the cast. And Chris was phenomenal. I’m really pleased with the experience.

Stewart: I think for this one, I don’t think you really, truly know yourself unless you get to a point that’s as low as she [Bella] gets in this. She’s so sort of righteous in the first one, in terms of what she wants. I feel like now you actually believe that she knows what she wants. I fell like in the third one ["Eclipse"], she’s actually content and happy, and she can rest a little more easy. And in this one ["New Moon"] … I played an insane person.

Greene: In this one, I was a lot more comfortable in my skin, and it was nice to go into it and not be thinking about trying to be myself and not be nervous the whole time. In this one ["New Moon"], the relationship between Bella and Alice shows itself more. It was a lot of fun. Different things: the fans are behind this. In the first one, we were so nervous didn’t know want to expect from you and what you guys wanted or if you were going to accept us. And in the second one, I have a lot more confidence, because the fans, you really embraced us and been so gracious. It was a really great experience.

Photo credits: Photos #1, 2, 3, 4: AP. Photos #5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10: Summit Entertainment.