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Ten years ago a fresh faced Peter Facinelli splashed onscreen in the teen comedy Can’t Hardly Wait alongside Party of Five saintly star Jennifer Love Hewitt and Family Guy funnyman Seth Green.
Quickly becoming a teen idol and the desire of millions of young adults, Peter went on to more television shows and movies that showcased his talents.
Facinelli began his career in comedy and throughout the years he has been slowly moving to the darker roles that prepared him to play the patriarch of the most famous Vampire family.
In 2002, Facinelli scored the lead in Fastlane created by McG next to Beverly Hills, 90210 vixen Tiffani Thiessen and comedian Bill Bellamy, but sadly after only 22 wonderful episode, production ended. Peter jumped back and forth from television to film. Throughout time Facinelli moved on to play darker more serious characters on the HBO hit Six Feet Under, Damages and most notably playing Carlisle Cullen in Twilight.
Twilight is with a doubt the hottest film to hit the big screen and we are thankful that they cast Peter Facinelli as the caring and loyal Carlisle Cullen. The father of three is able to bring his compassion alive on screen; his years at the Atlantic Theater Company Acting School give Peter the confidence that Carlisle demands and balance that Peter carries throughout his daily life is emulated through Carlisle. PopStar got down to business with Peter Facinelli and asked all the questions that have been weighing on your mind.
Peter Facinelli, 36, plays Carlisle Cullen, the leader and patriarch of the Cullen family in the film adaption of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga. Peter and Carlisle are very similar in that they are very confident individuals that have immense compassion and respect for their family and friends. This past November, Peter Facinelli, brought the 350 year old Carlisle Cullen out of the pages of Meyer’s book and onto the big screen for all of us to enjoy.
In the next coming weeks Peter will have to depart from Los Angles and head into Vampire and Werewolf country to begin filming New Moon, the second film in the Twilight Saga. Although Peter’s role is lighter in the second book, it does not stop his enthusiasm and joy for the upcoming project. PopStar spoke with the compassionate actor, who was quick to talk about his thoughts on New Moon, the Cullen family and how he balances super-stardom and parenthood.
Peter Facinelli Interview
PopStar: New Moon begins filming in a couple of weeks. What are you most looking forward to?
Peter Facinelli: In general, the second book, New Moon, is really interesting because of the way it delves into the American Indians part of Jacob’s story. It has a lot more special effects with the werewolves; I am excited to see how that all comes out. I am also excited that Chris Weitz will be building this world.
PopStar: You play Carlisle, the patriarch of the Cullen family. What can we expect to see from Carlisle in New Moon?
Peter Facinelli: The Cullen family does not have much to do in the second book but there are important scenes. The beginning part is what really launches the Cullen family into hiding because Jasper basically attacks Bella and we realize that it might be too dangerous for her, so we pack up our bags and head out of town. That launches Bella’s journey with Jacob and how she finds out about his side of the family. The vote at the end is pretty important as well because they vote on whether Bella will become part of the family as a vampire or not. Those two things are very crucial; there is not much but it is important. I have a really nice scene with Bella where I am stitching up her finger and we are talking about how Carlisle feels about vampires and how it differs from Edward.
PopStar: In Twilight, we got a little bit of back story on Carlisle. Do you think that we will learn much more about him and his family in New Moon?
Peter Facinelli: I don’t know. I really think that this film touches more upon the Native American Indians, Bella’s relationship with Jacob and her yearning for Edward. So I don’t know how much of that will play into New Moon. In the third book, I know it goes a lot into the family history. I am excited to film the third book as well because the third book has lot to do with the Cullen Family.
PopStar: Can you identify at all with your character Carlisle?
Peter Facinelli: Yes, there are certain parts of Carlisle that I identify with. Him being the patriarch of the family and him having these kids he looks after. I like to think that I have a lot of compassion for my family and other humans, which Carlisle has. The things that differ for me is I had to figure out how to bring 350 years of knowledge to the screen. He is a guy who has a lot of wisdom and power in movements.
PopStar: Carlisle is very caring and nurturing in the books but who would you say is the caretaker on set?
Peter Facinelli: That is a tough one because they are all such great people. We all care about each other a lot. It really is like a family on and off the set.
PopStar: Last year while filming Twilight, some fans would show up on set. Do you think fans will show up to the New Moon set and if so what are your thoughts?
Peter Facinelli: Probably. We had a little bit of that on the first one and the movie was not even released yet so I can’t imagine, I am sure they will beef up the security for the second one. For the first one we had a lot of fans come out and they were very respectful but again I cannot imagine what the second one will be like. It’s not like they will be stealing any plot points, if you want any you can just read the book. Some movies are secretive where they don’t want to give away any spoilers but this is based on a book and we want to keep it close to the book. People just want to see the book put onscreen and there really are not spoilers to be had.
PopStar: Probably the most crucial question ever asked. Do you think that Bella made the right decision picking Edward over Jacob?
Peter Facinelli: That is a tough one. As a reader I was torn, but looking on as Carlisle, I am happy that she did pick our family. She gave up a lot in order to become one of us but she got back a lot. What she got in return was eternal love, so you can’t really beat that.
PopStar: I have seen your name on many Twilight conventions guest lists. Have you ever done conventions before? Are you excited to connect with the fans?
Peter Facinelli: I have never done one and I did my first about a week ago and I am going to do another one in San Francisco and England. The fans have been so great, I feel like it is nice to be able to give back and show up and show our appreciation to the fans. They have all been so respectful, nice and happy!
PopStar: You have a new show coming out on Showtime called Nurse Jackie. Can you tell us a little bit about the show and the character you will be playing?
Peter Facinelli: It’s a Showtime series called Nurse Jackie staring Edie Falco. It’s a half hour dramedy and I play Doctor Cooper. So I am playing another doctor role but this doctor is quite different. He has a lot of complexity about him in the sense that he is very cool and confident on the outside and on the inside he is a bundle of nerves. He is very opposite of Carlisle. Carlisle always remain calm, he’s seen it all, been there and done it all and has super confidence about him. The character I play in Nurse Jackie is very different.
: You have three beautiful daughters, a TV star wife, and your starring in one of the biggest movie franchise of the 21st century. How do you balance all of this?
Peter Facinelli: Well I’m at my daughter’s soccer field with one foot on the ball and I’m on my cellphone talking to you. It’s a little bit of a balance but I find time for both. I’m a big believer in quality with the family and doing stuff with them. Sometimes I might be away for a couple of weeks but when I do come home I am there for concentrated periods of time and we do some great things together.
PopStar: Which is your favorite Twilight book?
Peter Facinelli: I am one of the biggest fans of the books. I like Eclipse because it has a lot of action in it. Twilight is a close second because it gave such a great setup to this world but Eclipse has a lot of back story on the family and I am excited to shoot the third one. The fourth one is really interesting too!
PopStar: Message to the fans.
Peter Facinelli: I have been overwhelmed by the support I have gotten on this film. I hope they continue their support for the rest of the films and we are hoping to make good movies that they enjoy.
Sure most ladies, if given the opportunity and the talent, would jump at the chance to pen a love song for vampire Edward Cullen. But Demi Lovato isn’t going to restrict herself to just one “Twilight” heartthrob.
The 16-year-old Twilighter and “Sonny With a Chance” star let it slip to MTV News that she might be a fan of Bella’s werewolf pal Jacob (played in the movie by Taylor Lautner). “Edward Cullen — I would write a love song to him,” the singer/actress said, before giddily adding, “Or Jacob Black!”
Lovato also said she’d love the chance to participate in any way possible in “New Moon,” the movie’s hotly anticipated sequel, though she’s sure being on the soundtrack is her best bet. “I think it’d be cool to be in the soundtrack,” she told MTV News. “Maybe, but … it’s like anything that would happen that’d be awesome. I don’t know if I’d make a good vampire or a good werewolf.”
Lovato isn’t the only Disney star who has expressed interest in joining the “Twilight” phenomenon. Earlier this month, the Jonas Brothers expressed interest in working on “New Moon” in some capacity.
“The movie was obviously a huge success, and if they asked us to be a part of [the sequel], that would be great,” Nick Jonas said about the prospect of writing a song for the movie. “It would be really cool.”
Although the guys had yet to see the flick, Joe said, “I have heard it’s a great movie.”
“We’re looking forward to seeing it,” Nick added. “We’ve been a little busy, so it’s kinda hard to get the movies, but we’ll see it.”
“Typically, we’ll get the advance DVDs and watch them on plane rides or something,” Kevin said of the band’s attempts to keep up with Hollywood’s latest hits during their busy touring schedule. “So, hopefully, we’ll do that.”
Bronson Pelletier has apparently been confirmed as cast in New Moon, though it is not clear for which role. Read the Lexicon’s post here.
Read it by viewing the pdf here.
Watch the video below: Twilight is mentioned at about the 4:30 mark.
There are three very important questions that have been plaguing my mind for the past few months: Will our economy get better by the time I’m 30? Should I rent an apartment in New York City? Which actors are going to play my favorite characters in “New Moon”?!
OK, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit with that last one, but from the looks of it, I’m not the only one itching to find out who’ll get the chance to play a werewolf or a vampire in the eagerly anticipated flick. I mean, we’ve heard all of those rumors, and some actually ended up being true — but after reading one after another, it just seems like everybody in world of pop culture (and their mother) wants to sink their white, un-fanged teeth into the “Twilight” franchise.
Twilighters were up in arms when they heard the rumor that Vanessa Hudgens and Brenda Song were in contention for the role of Leah Clearwater. They all cried, “No Disney stars … EVER!” Vanessa is still hoping to nab the coveted role as Jacob’s fiesty frenemy, but as of now, it looks like neither will be playing the part (hooray!). Twilighters got to breathe easy for about 2.5 seconds until another actor or actress was rumored to be the next Leah, Jane or Aro.
There were some reports that seemed too nutty to be true. If you thought the whole Hudgens/Song rumor was crazy, just brace yourself. Have you heard any of these?
Lindsay Lohan wants to be in “New Moon”! Hilary Duff is clamoring to be a part of the second installment of the “Twilight” saga! “Lord of the Rings” star Sir Ian McKellan as Aro! “Harry Potter” wizard Alan Rickman as a member of the Volturi!
None of the rumors above can beat the mother of all rumors: Madonna is going to be in “New Moon”!
Don’t get me wrong; I love all this casting drama. As a fan of the book series and an overall impatient person, I’m dying to know who’s going to be in film and I want to know now! When you’re so invested in these characters, you want all the facts, but it’s also fun to sit around and chat about the latest “New Moon” gossip. However, it’s only fun if the rumor is in the realm of possibility! No offense to Brenda Song, but she’s no Angelina Jolie — at least not yet. Once you start talking about heavy-hitters making cameos, it starts to sound like crazy talk. I mean Madonna … really?
In lieu of all the “New Moon” casting chatter, the wonderful “Twilight” team at MTV News put on their thinking caps and came up with a list of insane and completely unfounded rumors to rival some of the ones percolating on the Internet.
» Mickey Rourke is replacing Billie Burke as Charlie. Why? Because Mickey Rourke is awesome.
» Earlier this week the news broke that Governor Schwarzenegger was taking time off to do a film. Could this be a cover for a “New Moon” role? TOTALLY.
» There will be a new character named Stewart, Edward’s long-lost brother. Stewart will have equally awesome hair and will be played by Zac Efron.
» Brad Pitt’s old man version of Benjamin Button is going to play Aro.
» Daniel Radcliffe is going to replace Jackson Rathbone as Jasper. He’ll have his wizard stick handy in case Voldemort pops up to kill Edward.
The Twilight Tabloid 