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California Chronicle

Actor Sinks His Teeth into Vampire Role

August 23, 2009
By Mary Ann Albright, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash.

Aug. 23--Actor Peter Facinelli looked out the window recently at the gray skies and made an observation his "Twilight" character would appreciate.

"It's a beautiful day for vampire baseball," said Facinelli, currently on location in Vancouver, B.C., filming "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," the third film inspired by author Stephenie Meyer's best-selling series.

Rehearsals began a couple of weeks ago, as did the legwork that goes into transforming part of the cast into vampires and shape-shifters. For Facinelli, that's meant logging hours in the gym and in hair and makeup, as well as intense fight training.

The actor, who's based in Los Angeles with his wife, "90210" star Jennie Garth, and their three daughters, will be coming to Portland next weekend to meet with fans and raise money for Doernbecher Children's Hospital. He was among the "Twilight" talent scheduled to be in town for a three-day fan convention organized by Vancouver resident Elisa Cotton.

The convention was canceled, but Facinelli still plans to take a break from "Eclipse" filming to visit the Rose City.

Facinelli recently talked with The Columbian about his role as benevolent vampire Dr. Carlisle Cullen, what it was like filming in Oregon and Southwest Washington, the devotion of "Twilight" fans and why children's hospitals are a cause close to his heart. The interview has been edited for space and clarity.

What made you decide to do something for Doernbecher?

I love whenever I can do things that benefit others. My middle daughter, Lola, spent time in a children's hospital, and I know how heartbreaking that can be for a family. Lola spent 10 days in a children's hospital in Los Angeles. You think the doctors have all the answers, but they don't. That can get quite frustrating. They didn't know what was wrong with her. It was very frustrating and scary, so I know how that feels. But my daughter is much better now. She was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and it's in remission.

When first approached with the role of a benevolent vampire patriarch in "Twilight," what did you think?

My agents called me and they said, "Do you want to do a vampire movie?" I said no because I was thinking something with blood and guts, like a horror film. It wasn't my cup of tea. They said it's based on this book, "Twilight," and that Catherine Hardwicke was directing. I love her work, so I said to set up a meeting. They said they'd already set one up for the next day. I said send me the book. I just started reading it, and I couldn't put it down.

What attracted you to the project?

The vampire stuff was more of a backdrop for this romantic love story. It was kind of like a Romeo and Juliet tale set in a vampire world. The vampire part gave it more of a romance, more of a seductiveness. It reminded me of old Bela Lugosi vampire movies, a throwback to that. I could totally see "Twilight" in black and white. The characters were really rich. The story was really interesting. I loved Stephenie Meyer's writing.

How was filming in the Pacific Northwest for "Twilight"?

Portland was gorgeous. I recently went there again for a charity event for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon: Vampire Baseball at PGE Park. Driving through those woods, it was just like you saw in "Twilight." The beauty of those trees and the crisp air.

For the second "Twilight Saga" installment, "New Moon," in theaters Nov. 20, production moved from Oregon and Washington to Vancouver, B.C., and Italy. How did that compare to filming in the Northwest?

I didn't get to go to Italy, but they did shoot there. I wasn't in those scenes. And "Eclipse" is all filmed in Vancouver, B.C. It's just a lot bigger. Vancouver, B.C., is a bigger city than Portland. Everything is a lot more spread out.

How does your character evolve in the next movie, "New Moon"? What can audiences expect from Carlisle?

"New Moon" is more about the werewolves' side of this realm. The Cullens kind of disappear for awhile in this movie. We're not in all of it. The first movie I worked on building who Carlisle was. The second one I worked more on his relationships.

Do you think Carlisle and the rest of the Cullen clan feel threatened by Bella? Do they struggle to balance Edward's happiness with the risk of involving themselves with Bella and letting her into their world?

I think it's a very touchy situation because it is a big risk. But as the patriarch of the family, I want them all to be happy. But it definitely tips the scale. Edward's relationship could cost the family their existence. As a father myself, you have to make decisions all the time. You're not always sure they're right, but you try to make the ones that are best for your family.

What about "Eclipse"? You mentioned lots of fight-scene training. How physically demanding is that?

It's pretty physically demanding. Right now I have about two hours of fight training every other day, then about two hours of physical training on the days when I'm not fighting. It hurts, but it feels good at the same time.

What do you think about Bryce Dallas Howard replacing Rachelle Lefevre as Victoria in "Eclipse"?

I am deeply saddened by Rachelle's departure. I understand the conflict in dates, and the show has to go on. I've met Bryce, and she's fantastic. We were fortunate to be able to get a great actress on short notice.

There's so much interest in whether co-stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are a real-life couple. Does all the "Robsten" hype add to or take away from the on-screen relationship between Bella and Edward?

I honestly don't even know what's going on with Robert and Kristen. I try to stay far removed from all that stuff.

Are you surprised by the intense devotion of "twihards"?

Always. But I kind of grew with them. I remember when they were trying to figure out the name to call themselves and came up with twihards. I feel like we all kind of grew together from the books. I'm always surprised, humbled and greatly appreciative of the fans. Because they are so dedicated.

Why do you think the story is so captivating for people?

It's hard to say. I think that the writing is really addictive. I just finished reading "Eclipse" again. For me, usually reading a book the second time gets boring, but I found I enjoyed it as much the second time as I did the first time around. You can't put them down.

You play a doctor in the "Twilight" movies and on the new Showtime series "Nurse Jackie." Any similarities between Dr. Fitch Cooper and Dr. Carlisle Cullen?

No. They're completely 180 degrees from each other. Dr. Carlisle Cullen is this patriarch. He's this rock, the foundation of the family. Dr. Cooper is complete chaos. He's the definition of chaos.

Speaking of things beyond "Twilight," your wife did "Dancing on the Stars" in 2007. Is that something you'd consider?

No, I don't think so. That's just not my thing. My wife when she was younger wanted to be a dancer, so she always had a desire for that. For me, I'm more of a freestyle kind of dancer. I have no need or want to do choreographed dancing unless it's for a movie.