Robert Pattinson was known for most of his career as “The guy from Twilight“. The fame he got from playing Edward Cullen in the film series overshadowed every other role. However, the film’s infamous reputation also cast an undeserved shadow on his career as people only knew him as ‘Twilight Boy’ for many years.
However, he has proven that he is more than just a charming vampire in recent years. Pattinson auditioned with many other actors for the role of Edward Cullen for the first Twilight film. The audition process required the actors to be shirtless at one instance as mandated by director Catherine Hardwicke. When a reluctant Pattinson did so, Hardwicke instantly wanted him to put his clothes back on.
Robert Pattinson’s ‘Hairless Chubby Body’ Led To A Funny Moment During Twilight Audition
Robert Pattinson played Edward Cullen in the first Twilight film opposite Kristen Stewart who played the lead role Bella. While Stewart was already cast in her role, many actors auditioned for Edward including Pattinson. The actor had previously waxed his body for his role in Little Ashes and was out of shape.
When Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke wanted to see him shirtless. Pattinson refused to do so. In an interview with Allure, Pattinson revealed that he had been drinking a lot of beer for a few months before getting the audition for Twilight.
Therefore, he had a very hairless chubby body, and he looked like a baby with a wig. The actor said,
When I turned up for the audition, I had done a job where I’d dyed my hair black, but I had an inch and a half of roots, and I had waxed my body. And then I had a few months where I’d been drinking beer all day, so I had this hairless, chubby body. I looked like a baby with a wig on.
This also added to his refusal to be shirtless. In another interview with Howard Stern, Pattinson also stated that he wanted to give up when asked about going shitless in the audition process. When Pattinson did indeed take his shirt off, it seemed Hardwicke was not impressed with it and told him to put his clothes back on instantly. The actor said (via YouTube),
At the end of the audition, Catherine [Hardwicke]’s like, ‘Okay, so we’re going to need to see you with your shirt off.’ And I was like, ‘I mean if that’s what it is, I can’t.’ I should just give up right now. I managed to just like really not…Because I [eventually] took it off and she told me to put it back on again.
Despite this, Hardwicke was later convinced of Pattinson’s ability to play the role when seeing the incredible chemistry he had with Stewart (via Variety). The first Twilight film was a big hit in 2008, grossing $407 million against a $37 million budget (via Box Office Mojo). The success of the film catapulted Pattinson and Stewart’s career, making them huge stars.
Robert Pattinson And Kristen Stewart Had An Impromptu Twilight Reunion On His Birthday
Ever since the end of the Twilight films, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have never reunited on-screen again. The ex-lovers broke up in 2013 but have always maintained a cordial relationship. In an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused Podcast, Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke revealed that she and Stewart crashed into Pattinson’s birthday last year and had a mini-reunion.
Hardwicke revealed that she did not know that Stewart would be there and once they all came together, they hugged each other. The director and the actors saw each other together after a very long time and thus reflected on how crazy and cool the reunion was. Hardwicke said,
I went to Rob’s birthday party recently. I kind of crashed with my friend Toni Collette, who had just done a movie with him. We had a fun thing, and then Kristen crashed it too. That was just a few months ago, and it was just like, ‘Oh my God!’ We all hugged each other, like, this is so crazy and cool.
Stewart recently starred in the romantic thriller film Love Lies Bleeding, which received positive reviews from audiences (95% on Rotten Tomatoes). Pattinson has Mickey 17, directed by Bong Joon-ho up for release on January 31, 2025.
Fans can watch/rent Twilight on Apple TV+.
