Before they were 'Twilight' stars: a throwback look at the cast (videos)

With The Twilight Saga: New Moon stars on the deservedly consistent rise in our current popular culture, it is a wonder they have time to do anything else. Nevertheless, they do.

With Kristen Stewart's up-coming role in K-11 (with co-star Nikki Reed) and The Runaways, her work on The Twilight Saga: New Moon and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (and, hopefully, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn) stands as no obstacle to her continued work outside of the Twilight bubble. Same goes for, obviously, Robert Pattinson, whose career, as it stands today, continues to unfold with promise and aspiration (with such films as Bel Ami, Remember Me, Unbound Captives and others in the works for this young man's career). On to such actors as Peter Facinelli, whose post-Twilight resume of film affiliation is continuously growing with such projects as Nurse Jackie, The Absinthe Drinkers, and Thicker. With Kellan Lutz, talks of his involvement in A Nightmare On Elm Street (a re-make of the 1984 Wes Craven classic chiller) have been on the table for a while. Just this weekend, we learned that Jackson Rathbone would be gracing the screen (with his musical gifts - see, for instance, his band 100 Monkeys - in tow) in a new film, while his work with M. Night Shyamalan in The Last Airbender rapidly approaches. The list could go on.

Before they were Twilight stars, the story was much the same. Diverse, varied, and (at times) quite hilarious, the pre-Twilight resume for some of these actors is quite expansive.

So, as a throwback, let's take a look, shall we, at some of the Twilight stars' work.

Beginning with our Bella, Kristen Stewart (for whom there is a virtual library of choices, as she has appeared in about two dozen films), this video is a clip of her performance in the Sean Penn-directed Emile Hirsch film Into The Wild, in which she plays Tracy Tatro. It's a lovely clip, and Stewart sings (her real voice) for her first time in a major motion picture in this scene.

Next, our Edward - Robert Pattinson. Pattinson, too, has any number of pre-Twilight films (including some which have recently been released such as How To Be and Little Ashes) to showcase. One such is Vanity Fair, in which Pattinson appeared as the estranged son of Reese Witherspoon's character in the film, but his part was cut and uncredited. For this reason, we bring you clips of Pattinson's part in Vanity Fair (a film which, by the way, Pattinson's friend and fellow "Brit Pack" member Tom Sturridge appeared in as well).

Taylor Lautner, who plays Jacob Black in Twilight, has had his fair share of film roles as well, despite his young age. One such is his part as Sharkboy in The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 3-D. A much younger Lautner was capturing the hearts of his audience even then.

Onto Peter Facinelli, actor portraying Dr. Carlisle Cullen in the film series. Facinelli, who appeared in a wealth of major motion pictures before his Twilight days, played as the easy-to-despise butch-boy Mike in the 1998 film Can't Hardly Wait with Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Elizabeth Reaser, who brings to life the sweet Esme Cullen in Twilight, also did a number of films and television spots before she took on the maternal role in the film series. This one, Sweet Land, is from 2005, and many of Reaser's fans insist that it is a must-see favorite.

Kellan Lutz, who plays the loveable teddy bear Emmett Cullen in Twilight, also had a few parts to speak of before Twilight. In this, a film called Stick It, Lutz plays Frank.

Nikki Reed, whose most acclaimed role before Rosalie in Twilight, perhaps, actually involved her very close work with director Catherine Hardwicke in Thirteen with Oscar-winning Holly Hunter.

Jackson Rathbone, band member of 100 Monkeys and Jasper Cullen in the film series, has also had an interesting run of work before Twilight. One of his parts, in 2008's Senior Skip Day, showcases Rathbone's talent for humor and main-staging.

Ashley Greene, who plays Alice Cullen in Twilight, has had a slightly less extensive film career than others (though that is not to say that her talented is not long-lived by any means). One small, but memorable, role that Greene had was in a film called King of California where she plays a McDonald's customer.

Billy Burke, portrayer of Charlie Swan (dad-extraordinaire) in Twilight, has an impressive collection of work. A more recent role that Burke fulfilled before Twilight was that of Frank (another police officer) in Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling's thriller Fracture. Take a look at Burke's stunning performance in this clip and then try and tell me he is not a superstar.

Rachelle LeFevre, our red-headed trouble maker nomad in Twilight, was also no stranger to film and television work before taking on the part the series. In this clip, from her part as Olivia Callaway in Charmed, LeFevre showcases, once more, her ability to bring to life other-worldy creatures with grace.

Cam Gigandet, bad boy James in Twilight, made a name for himself in many, many television series. One of his first parts was as Mark Young in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Edi Gathegi, Laurent in the film series, was a television series guru before he joined the cast of Twilight. Though clips from his work on such shows as House M.D. and Lincoln Heights are rare, Gathegi is seen in two shots of this clip from the House promo.

In short, then, these Twilight stars did, indeed, do a great deal of work before they became Twilight stars. Ranging from absolutely hilarious (especially in Rathbone and Facinelli's cases) to smart and memorable (as in Stewart, Pattinson, and Reaser's work), their pre-Twilight film and television adventures are definitely something to enjoy.

So, do you have a favorite of these stars' works before Twilight? If so, what is it? Comment below and let us know!

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