Alex Meraz, Edi Gathegi and Michael Welch arrive at the premiere of the new film "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" in Los Angeles November 16, 2009. (WENN.com)
Landing the lead roles in the film versions of the "Twilight" books might be the biggest stroke of luck for Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
But scoring plum secondary parts in "New Moon" – the latest installment in author Stephenie Meyer's popular series that follows the undead Edward Cullen (Pattinson) and his mortal love Bella Swan (Stewart) – has been equally fortuitous for some of the film's other actors.
"For me, I didn't even know what 'Twilight' was when I had the audition," admits Edi Gathegi, who reprises his role as vampire baddie Laurent in "New Moon." "But it's turned out to be a real blessing."
"Something like this only happens a few times every generation," adds Michael Welch, who appears as Mike Newton, one of the few 'humans' in the series' newest chapter.
"It's an incredible thing to be a part of," he continues down the line from Vancouver where he is shooting the next installment, "Eclipse," due in the theatres next summer.
"There's nothing that can prepare you for it. But we're all going on this journey together and I'm having a good time."
Newcomer Alex Meraz, who plays the shape-shifting werewolf Paul, one of a pack of young werewolves who protect an aboriginal community in "New Moon" and "Eclipse," has just gotten a taste of the intense spotlight and he's already hungry for more.
"I'm ready," he says enthusiastically. "I think this has come at a good time in my life, when I'm ready to accept it and be good with it and not trash it by giving in to some crazy things."
The second installment in the "Twilight" series, "New Moon" focuses on Bella, a regular teen whose romance with vampire boyfriend Edward comes to an abrupt end, leaving her in the arms of Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), whom she later discovers belongs to a long line of werewolves.
JAM! held a lively three-way interview with Edi, Alex and Michael to find out what happens to their characters in "New Moon," get their thoughts on who's better, vampires or werewolves, and learn how they're coping with the throngs of eager "Twilight" fans. Please note, the interview contains plot spoilers.
JAM! Alex, you're the newest addition to the cast. What's your character Paul all about?
Alex:I'm part of the wolf pack with Jacob [Black], so we're actually the good people. We protect the reservation from vampires. But I'm definitely the bad boy of the wolf pack. So I'm good and bad at the same time.
JAM! Edi, does Laurent kick some vampire butt in 'New Moon' or what?
Alex: He dies. [laughs]
Edi: Come on. I hold my own.
Alex: Well, it does take five of us to kill him.
Edi: Thank you for acquiescing
JAM! How about you Michael? Do you try to show Bella that there's some brawn behind those jokes?
Michael: I get to dance. That's the most action I get [laughs]. But not even in the second film. I dance in the first and the third one. In this film, I get sick and I have to go throw up off screen. I don't get to be involved in any of the action stuff. It's a bit more funny-tragic for Mike in the second film. Probably the best scene for him is a three-way date between Mike, Bella and Jacob. What happens is Mike asks Bella to the movies and she tries to turn it into a group thing and it ends up being those three, which is the worst possible scenario. It is very funny, but in a way that's a little sad.
JAM! Are you more a fan of vampires or werewolves?
Alex: I've always gravitated towards wolves. As a kid, I loved werewolf movies. So the fact that I can transform into a wolf is pretty exciting.
Edi: I love the look of vampires; the paler skin, the dreadlocks, the red eyes, the goatees, the chest, the abs. And I love the fact that Laurent is not conflicted about killing humans anymore. He has a connection to his prey and he just does what he has to do.
Michael: I'm a vampire guy myself, but if I had to be one of them, I'd much rather be a werewolf. Vampires are sexier and more complex, but werewolves seem to have themselves under control a little bit.
JAM! What aspect of doing these films appealed to you?
Edi: Initially, I didn't want to do it because I wasn't interested in that mythology. But this turned out to be something different. It's a romance story with the backdrop of vampires. So I fell in love with the mythology that [author] Stephenie [Meyer] created and the world that she created made vampires seem very plausible.
Michael: I like that it gets a little more intense as we go along. But what's fun about playing the 'humans' is we are very isolated from the rest of the tale. Even though the story between the werewolves and vampires is getting much darker, our role pretty much stays the same. We represent the small town high school experience and that includes the fun and the heartache in Bella's life.
JAM! Michael, your character is really smitten with Bella and she's torn between Edward and Jacob in 'New Moon.' Since there are still two more movies left in the series, do you think he has a chance?
Michael: Well, I haven't got around to [reading] the fourth book yet. But I know how Mike hopes he ends up. He wants to be with Bella obviously. Frankly, I don't think that's the best path for him. Ironically, they have the perfect relationship because first love, especially one from high school, you take with you the rest of your life. I had a similar experience to Mike's when I was in high school. I was in love with a girl that liked somebody else and it was a very complicated and strange few years. But I eventually found a great girl and we've been together for almost four years. So…I just hope that Mike is able to find the kind of happiness that I've been able to find in my life.
JAM! Edi and Michael, how are you preparing for a second round of 'twi-hard' mania?
Edi: You just live your life. In the day-to-day, unless you're Rob, Kristen or, now, Taylor, most of the cast gets to live their lives. Yes, there's a lot more eyeballs. Yes, there are a lot of fans. But I don’t need a bodyguard like Rob.
Michael: It's an incredible thing to be a part of. I had my first taste, so I know what to expect. But at the same time, the fan base is bigger now and it's a little more intense.
JAM! What about you Alex? Since you’re new to this, how are you getting ready for the rock-star "New Moon" reception?
Alex: I just stay grounded. I split my time between Los Angeles and Arizona because I like to have an escape from the madness of the business. I spend time in the desert and meditate and spend time with my family, so...I think I am ready.
JAM! Final question. Have you guys had any off the wall fan encounters?
Alex: Nothing I couldn't handle. I've certainly gotten numbers slipped under my door. That's been wild, but I haven't had anything too crazy.
Edi: Don't speak too soon, Alex.
Michael: I've done a lot of sci-fi stuff over the years, so the stranger encounters have come from sci-fi fans before 'Twilight.' Not knocking sci-fi fans; they're great people. But as far as 'Twilight' goes, I met a sweet young girl who couldn't stop bawling when she met me. But put yourself in my shoes; when you meet someone and they can't stop crying, it's a bit awkward. You don't really know what to do.
