Playing the role of lead tracker and all round bad-guy James is 26 year old actor Cam Gigandet. Having previously starred in both “The O.C.” and the more recent hit “Never Back Down”, Gigandet is no stranger to those bad guy roles but as Movies.ie found, Cam was anything but when we met the actor to discuss the massively successful franchise…

Q: Had you heard of the books before auditioning?
A: I’d actually read “Twilight” while filming “Never Back Down”. My girlfriend gave me her copy and kept saying, “You just have to read it”. It wouldn’t be the usual genre I’d read but I found it so engaging. There was just an air of mystery that surrounded these vampires. Meyer had me hooked! It was about six months after I heard from the studio. It was the same people that produced “Never Back Down” so it seemed kind of… serendipitous!

Q: You were originally cast as Edward’s brother Emmett Cullen but eventually landed the part of James – why were you so eager for another bad guy role??
A: Well from the first time I read the book, I knew I wanted to be James. There was just something about him that I associated with. There is more freedom and fun to be had playing the bad guy – they can get away with so much. Plus – with James – I liked the idea of playing on his immortality – how it can have both a good and bad thing.

Q: The bad side of immortality? ?
Well I certainly wouldn’t want to live forever! If everyone you loved was dying around you, you’d become so jaded and cynical. You’d have no desire or drive in you. If I had to though, I’d want to be the age I am now; still ignorant enough to most problems but I know enough to get by (laughs).

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