6: Vault: They had no idea Twilight would become that huge

Summary

The Bert Show | Episode 6: Vault: They had no idea Twilight would become that huge

Release Date: May 14, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Bert Show takes a fun, candid look back at the early days of the Twilight movie saga, revisiting interviews with Jamie Campbell Bower (Caius of the Volturi) and Edi Gathegi (Laurent) around the time of “New Moon.” The cast reflects on the unexpected explosion of the Twilight fandom, shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes, discusses the personal impact of sudden fame, and explores how they navigated attention, privacy, and the pressures of blockbuster success.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Early Days: Finding Out About Twilight [00:28–01:25]

• The hosts reminisce about having young Taylor Lautner on the show before he became a superstar.
• Jamie Campbell Bower recounts his agent telling him Twilight “has the potential of being big,” but admits, “I’ve never heard of it before in my life.” He only read the book after being cast and was surprised at the quality of the story.
  • Quote: “As soon as I was cast is when I read the first book and I was like, wow, this is a great story. This could be cool.” — Jamie Campbell Bower [00:46]

2. Becoming a Paparazzi Target [01:02–01:30]

• The interviewer points out the life-changing nature of being in Twilight, questioning if Jamie is ready for the paparazzi and attention.
• Jamie, taken aback, responds humbly and seems genuinely unaware of just how intense things would get.
  • Quote: “You put that in a scary way, man. Well, we'll see. I mean, I never really thought about it like that.” — Jamie Campbell Bower [01:20]

3. The Whirlwind of Fame – “City After City” [02:50–03:11]

• Jamie and Edi discuss the promotional tour, sharing that it’s “pretty crazy, pretty tiring,” but also a lot of fun.
• Jamie describes his role as Caius, a Volturi leader. Edi, already a franchise veteran as Laurent, shares his experience welcoming Jamie to the Twilight cast.

4. Keeping Auditions Secret [05:02–05:48]

• Jamie reveals he told “no one” about auditioning:

  • Quote: “If you tell someone about it, everyone gets really excited...and then if you don't get it, you get so depressed. So I just kind of keep it under wraps. And I got it and told everyone, and they were very happy, which is great.” — Jamie Campbell Bower [05:25]

• Edi says he was also in the dark about what Twilight was initially and only did the audition as a favor for a casting director friend; reading the books later, he appreciated the material.

5. Character Preparation & Twilight’s Unique Mythology [06:11–07:47]

• Both actors discuss building their roles from Stephenie Meyer’s richly descriptive writing, noting that Twilight’s vampire rules depart from classic mythology (no coffins, no stakes, no sleep).
• Jamie highlights how even small authorial details—like a character’s “feathery” voice—shape performances.

6. Fan Frenzy & Wild Tour Stories [08:00–09:08]

• The cast recounts their “New Moon” tour stops, joking about fan reactions—marriage proposals, prom invites, and even thongs thrown on stage.
  • Quote (tongue-in-cheek): “Thongs being thrown on stage…That was singular, though. The actual event.” — Edi Gathegi [08:26]
  • The group laughs about which city’s thong is more “desirable.”

7. Maintaining Privacy, Handling Rumors & Public Scrutiny [09:40–12:09]

• Asked about media obsession with Robert Pattinson’s relationships, Jamie gets passionate about celebrity privacy:

  • Quote: “I just don't think it's anyone's business...people should be able to respect that. It just seems to me like people don’t respect it, and it’s kind of irritating, I guess.” — Jamie Campbell Bower [10:00]

• The hosts and guests discuss the fine line between fame and privacy, with examples of celebrities who maintain mystery and marital longevity (Beyonce & Jay-Z, Chris Martin & Gwyneth Paltrow).

8. Could Fame Ever Be Too Much? [12:09–12:41]

• Jamie admits he’d retreat to the countryside as a hermit if the attention became unbearable.
• Edi agrees: “If it was that intense, then I would move. Because nobody wants that. That’s kind of crazy.” [12:29]

9. Staying Grounded: The Work vs. The Fame [12:41–13:05]

• Edi reflects on acting for passion, not for the attention:
  • Quote: “We started this because of the craft...if it becomes more about the fame and less about the work, then I’m gonna take a step back.” — Edi Gathegi [12:41]

10. Reviews, Criticism, and Fan Support [13:09–14:20]

• Both actors say they avoid reading negative reviews, realizing with an audience this big, someone will always dislike your performance.
• Edi admits a bad review can “bother you for a day,” but you move on.
• The point is hammered home: “All the critics could come out today and say, this is the worst movie we’ve ever seen in our life, and it wouldn’t stop one person from coming seeing this movie.” — Interviewer [14:08]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Hp, baby. HP, baby.” — Jamie Campbell Bower referencing his Harry Potter role (03:35)
• On the chaos at fan events:
  • “Will you marry me? Will you go to prom with me? Thongs being thrown on stage.” — Edi Gathegi [08:18–08:23]
• On personal boundaries with fame:
  • “If I'm not having fun in the job that I'm doing, then I'm not going to do it. I’d probably move somewhere really remote.” — Jamie Campbell Bower [12:09]
• Summing up Twilight’s fanbase:
  • “There are going to be people that hate what you do no matter what you do, so just stay away.” — Jamie Campbell Bower [13:28]
• On critical reviews:
  • “If 99% of the people love you and they think you’re brilliant, there’s that one person who’s like, I didn’t believe him.” — Edi Gathegi [13:43]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:28–01:25 — The actors' first encounters with Twilight
• 01:02–01:30 — The thought of impending paparazzi life
• 05:02–05:48 — Keeping auditions and casting news secret
• 06:11–07:47 — Building characters with help from the author and director
• 08:00–09:08 — Tour tales and wild fan encounters
• 10:00–11:08 — Boundaries, privacy, and the reality of life in the public eye
• 13:09–14:20 — Perspectives on reviews, criticism, and audience devotion

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Tone & Style

As always, The Bert Show’s approach is playful, irreverent, and authentic. The hosts and guests joke easily, riff on crazy “Twilight” fan antics, and aren’t afraid to voice frustration over fame’s pitfalls but remain grounded and grateful. The camaraderie and off-the-cuff humor make the conversation feel like a behind-the-scenes hangout rather than a stuffy interview.

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In Short:
This episode is a vibrant time capsule from the height of “Twilight” mania, candidly sharing how no one—especially the actors—realized just how massive the phenomenon would become. Fandom, fame, privacy, and the real excitement (and exhaustion) of blockbuster life blend into a memorable listen full of laughs and insight.

Transcript

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[Interviewer]

This is the bird show. The last time y' all were so excited about Twilight, we had a kid on the show named Taylor Lautner. And nobody had heard about this kid, but we heard that this movie's gonna be pretty hot and all. So we'll give this Taylor Lautner kid a shot. Right? This was him a couple years ago.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

I remember my agent telling me, you know, this thing, this thing has the potential of being big. And I was like, really? I've never heard of it before in my life. And yeah, as soon as I was cast is when I read the first book and I was like, wow, this is a great story. This could be cool.

[Interviewer]

Do you have any fear at all that now, because this career of yours is gonna be propelled and you're gonna be so in the spot, like now you're a target for paparazzi. You can't go anywhere. Cause of cameras. I mean, this is gonna be your life. I think Saturday morning, really?

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

You put that in a scary way, man. Well, we'll see. I mean, I never really thought about it like that.

[Interviewer]

I don't know if he was just playing naive there or what.

[Commentator/Analyst]

I think he was really naive or I think so.

[Interviewer]

Or just being humble.

[Commentator/Analyst]

I think he was really naive. I think he was what, you know, what this movie did to propel him to be such a superstar now. And. Yeah, I think he had no idea. Like these guys in studio with us.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Jamie and Eddie are in here. How are you? Well, you have an idea? Eddie's been in the in. He was in the first movie.

[Edi Gathegi]

Yeah, but it doesn't happen overnight. I think that's what he was shocked about. Your assessment? I think it takes a couple of nights.

[Interviewer]

Two nights, three nights, 72 hours before it. How are you today, Jamie?

[Producer/Assistant]

Before we get too far into the interview, can we just remind Wendy that Melissa has a broken foot?

[Interviewer]

I asked, why is that?

[Commentator/Analyst]

I asked, sitting in the middle of these two boys.

[Melissa]

Cause I wedge myself in between two hot guys.

[Interviewer]

That was no act exaggerated.

[Melissa]

And I look and Melissa's manipulated move.

[Producer/Assistant]

She's in the corner of the room leaning against the wall looking very pitiful.

[Wing Woman]

She asked and I said. She asked. And I'm gonna be the ultimate wing woman. So I said, no, honey, you stay there.

[Interviewer]

It's playing out right here.

[Melissa]

Vampires, wolves, living everything out in my fantasies right now.

[Wing Woman]

She's in a vampire sandwich right now. She's good.

[Interviewer]

I love it.

[Melissa]

I'm not complaining.

[Interviewer]

You guys must be right now, right?

[Wing Woman]

This is it.

[Edi Gathegi]

It's a pretty tame fantasy.

[Commentator/Analyst]

You know what?

[Melissa]

The dreams continue on after this.

[Interviewer]

Oh, damn.

[Commentator/Analyst]

I'm just kidding.

[Interviewer]

She's ready to go.

[Melissa]

I'm good. I am content.

[Interviewer]

How you guys, this must be a whirlwind for both of you guys right now. Is it city after city type thing?

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Yeah, yeah, it's. It's pretty crazy. Pretty tiring, but having lots of fun.

[Interviewer]

Now, Jamie, what role do you play in the new movie?

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Caius. He's one of the leaders of the Volturi.

[Interviewer]

And Eddie, this is not your first rodeo. You were in the first one. And your character.

[Edi Gathegi]

I play Laurent. I reprise the role of Laurent. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Do you, at some point, do you. Because this is going to be Jamie's first Twilight movie, is at some point being a Twilight veteran, do you pull him aside and do you go, dude, let me tell you what's in store for you over the next couple of weeks or months or whatever.

[Edi Gathegi]

Well, not necessarily, because this kid has quite a resume. He was in Sweeney Todd and a bunch of stuff. Oh, yeah, and Henry Potter.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Hp, baby. Hp, baby.

[Edi Gathegi]

So he's been around the block a couple of times. He's a little whore.

[Interviewer]

But this is something different. I mean, the obviously the hype on this movie, I mean, has been playing out for months and months and months and months. Now, is there anything that you said to him that can prepare him for what's about to happen?

[Edi Gathegi]

No. But he did say something interesting the other day, which is he still gets shocked at the amount of fan attention and love and being in it for about a year. I expect it whenever we go to big events where there's a lot of people gathered and there's that group collective, but it's over as soon as you walk away. I mean, I think it exists in that time, but when you're in the car going home and you living your life, there's not gonna be groups of people following you, screaming at you for the rest of your life.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Unless you're Taylor or Rob or Kristen.

[Commentator/Analyst]

Right.

[Wing Woman]

Do you like that better, though? Do you like having this cult following that's dedicated to you from here on out? Even after, you know, the movies are done, you'll still have these fans that are following you. Do you like the fact of being able to get in the car and go somewhere and have a life?

[Edi Gathegi]

Oh, absolutely. I love maintaining some sort of anonymity. But being a part of this huge project is wonderful because these fans will continue supporting you in other projects that you do.

[Commentator/Analyst]

Right?

[Interviewer]

No doubt. Jamie, when you got the call finally that you were gonna be in this movie, what was your reaction? Was it on the phone? Were you in front of somebody? How does that work?

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

I was at a friend's birthday party, and my initial reaction was I went to the bar and bought another drink.

[Interviewer]

Nice.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

And then I sort of started shaking a little bit, and then I actually shed a tear. A single, solitary tier, but. Okay, suck it up.

[Edi Gathegi]

Okay, we're good.

[Interviewer]

How many people did you tell beforehand that you auditioned for this movie?

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

I told no one.

[Interviewer]

Really?

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Absolutely no. I wanted to be in the first one. And I always find that, you know, when you're auditioning for a job, if you tell someone, if it's a big gig, you tell someone about it, everyone gets really excited. You get excited, and then if you don't get it, you get so depressed. So I just kind of keep it under wraps. And I got it and told everyone, and they were very happy, which is great.

[Interviewer]

Eddie, was it the same for you on the first movie where you didn't tell anybody, or did you tell everybody?

[Edi Gathegi]

Well, there was no reason to tell anybody because I didn't even know what it was. I didn't even want to audition for it when I read the material, because my character was talking about the humans were tracking us. And I thought, if I'm saying the humans, and I'm not one, and this is crap, so I didn't want to go in on it, but the casting director was a friend of mine, and she'd put me in several movies. So I went in, and then I fell in love with Katherine's energy. And then when I got the part, I read the books and then saw how wonderful the series was.

[Commentator/Analyst]

I'm always curious about preparing for these kind of roles. Like you said you met Katherine, who's obviously the author of the series, and,

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

like, she was the director of the first one.

[Commentator/Analyst]

Director of the film. Okay, and then did you get to meet the author? That's Stephenie Meyer, right?

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Yeah.

[Commentator/Analyst]

Have you met her as well?

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Yeah.

[VRBO Narrator]

Okay.

[Commentator/Analyst]

And so, like, what kind of preparation goes into diving in this completely different world?

[Edi Gathegi]

Well, Stephenie Meyer, she paints the world, this world. Of the vampire very well. It's a whole new mythology. So if you just study or just take what she wrote in the paper, you're halfway there. Then you just bring your own unique individuality. But the rules are very specific. It's unlike any vampire world that you've known. There's no stakes to the heart. There's no coffins. We don't sleep. So the rules are very clear. And if you just bring yourself. You're like, there.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

She's also incredibly descriptive in the way that she portrays her characters. Anyway. She will talk about how a character. For instance, the character Arrow, played by Michael Sheen, she says in the book that his voice is like feathers. So, you know, you have to just pick up on little things that she's written in the book and just take from that, because, you know, that's. That's what's so fantastic about the film, is that there's. Everything is there already. You don't. You don't have to really think so deeply about the character. Everything is in the books. Everything is in the full books already written.

[Interviewer]

And are you responsible for picking those parts out? Like that feathery part you just talked about? Are you responsible for reading the book and picking up on that, or does somebody do that for you?

[Edi Gathegi]

Oh, you have to. If you're. If you. If you're an actor, you know, with your. Wait. You will do the background research that you need to do to get your character.

[Commentator/Analyst]

There are both of your characters in the third and fourth book as well?

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

I'm not in the third, but I'm in the fourth.

[Commentator/Analyst]

Okay.

[Edi Gathegi]

I'm not in the third, but I'm not in the fourth.

[Commentator/Analyst]

So do you expect to come back for the fourth movie? You're like, hey, time me out.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

That is the plan.

[Melissa]

Okay.

[Commentator/Analyst]

That is already in the works.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Who knows?

[Interviewer]

He's got something. He's got something. He knows something that we don't know yet. Give us a snapshot of what it's like. I know you guys were at what Mall of Georgia last night. Like, when you guys go out and you do these New Moon appearances. Give us a snapshot of what that's been like around the country for you guys.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

[Interviewer]

Will you marry me? Will you go to prom with me?

[Edi Gathegi]

Will you go to prom with me? Thongs being thrown on stage.

[Commentator/Analyst]

Really?

[Edi Gathegi]

That's the plural. That was singular, though. The actual event.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

A thong. A thong.

[Interviewer]

A thong here in Georgia?

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

No, that was in D.C. right?

[Edi Gathegi]

Might have been Minneapolis.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

It was D.C. i think it was

[Interviewer]

a Thong's a thong. It doesn't matter what city you say.

[Edi Gathegi]

It does matter.

[Producer/Assistant]

I gotta be honest with you. I don't find a thong from Minneapolis attractive.

[Interviewer]

Are we talking about hundreds of people that show up? Are we talking about thousands of people that show up?

[Edi Gathegi]

Four, four and a half people that showed up.

[Interviewer]

Four people showed up and one thong. 25% of the women that show up are throwing their thongs at you guys. And will you go to premieres or. I mean, you've seen the movie already.

[Edi Gathegi]

I saw a very early cut where the CGI wasn't complete and it was just dots on the screen, and I liked it then, but it's been cut together now, and apparently it's a thousand times better than that version, so. But I don't want to see it until I'm at the premiere. The premiere is next week, so we are. We are going to be in attendance,

[Commentator/Analyst]

so it's going to be big to do LA premiere. Star studded. Do you guys get hit up for tickets for stuff like that? Like, is your, like, cousin's cousin's cousin calling you, going, I want to come?

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Yeah, actually, yeah. Yeah. I have a lot of extended family now.

[Wing Woman]

Did you know about them before this role?

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Absolutely not.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, honestly, we understand that, man. So what's going on? I guess you guys can't publicly talk about the whole Robert and Robert Pattinson romance going on on set.

[Edi Gathegi]

More than not being allowed to publicly talk about it. Jamie will not talk about it. He infuriates him. The very question.

[Interviewer]

Why is that, really?

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

I just don't think it's anyone's business. I just. I mean, like, you're so gonna have

[Interviewer]

to get over all that, man. I'm serious.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Well, no, I mean, I guess, you know, being an actor, you have to be prepared that your life is, you know, in the public spotlight, whatever. But, you know, there comes a point where if you're saying, I don't want to talk about this, that has nothing to do with you. I think people should be able to respect that. And it just seems to me like people don't respect it, and it's. It's kind of irritating, I guess.

[Interviewer]

They absolutely don't respect that. And it almost makes it more of a topic. Like, people would probably let it go if the celebrities would just come out and say, look, this is the only time we're talking about it that I'm never answering question again.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

But why should they? I don't see why they should have to come out and talk about it. I don't see how. I don't see why it's anybody else's business. I'm sorry I get so agitated.

[Interviewer]

No, go ahead, let's talk about it. True, but we do live in sort of like this tabloidy type world now, and I don't think it's any different now than it was back in the 60s. If you guys are on a screen, people are interested in you.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Yeah, but there's, you know that. Yeah, yeah, I agree. But, you know, now with the Internet and everything, there's. It's so. It's so much more public. It's not. Back in the 60s, it was slightly more respectful. And now it just seems like any information is everybody's information.

[Commentator/Analyst]

Well, and it seems to me, too, that the couples that last are the ones that don't talk about it. Beyonce and Jay Z don't even recognize the fact they're married. Like, they don't even talk about the fact that they're married. You know, Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow, like, refuse to show up on any red carpet together. And their marriage is strong. Have two kids together, you know, just

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

because they don't like each other.

[Interviewer]

Will and Jada, just a little bit. I mean, not too much, you know, but.

[Commentator/Analyst]

Yeah. So it just seems like the ones that last, like, really sort of like make that a rule in their relationship and kind of go forward with that. So I can understand it and respect it. But we still want to know about it.

[Interviewer]

Jamie, could it.

[Commentator/Analyst]

We're still curious.

[Interviewer]

Could it get to a point with you? Because it appears that you want to take the private route for sure. Let's say your character takes off, the public falls absolutely in love with you. You become this a lister tomorrow. People can't get enough of you, man. So you get out of your apartment or your house and there's 50 paparazzi. You want to go. And you want to go to Starbucks and there's 50 paparazzi, you turn into the male equivalent of Britney Spears. Do you give all this up? Do you give all this up and do something else or do you embrace it?

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

It depends on if I'm still enjoying myself or not. If I'm not having fun in the job that I'm doing, then I'm not going to do it. I'd probably move somewhere really remote if that was to happen.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

To somewhere in the middle of the countryside and just be a complete hermit.

[Producer/Assistant]

I would say Milwaukee, but they'll throw

[Edi Gathegi]

thongs in

[Commentator/Analyst]

and same for you. Would you move or would you deal

[Edi Gathegi]

if it was that intense, then. Then I would move.

[Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Edi Gathegi]

Because nobody wants that. That's kind of crazy.

[Interviewer]

I think there are some in LA that do want it. I mean, you could certainly get away from it, right? If you really wanted to.

[Edi Gathegi]

Well, if for me, and I know for Jamie and for a lot of other actors, it's. We started this because of the craft. I mean, that's what we're doing. We didn't seek fame, and that's not. I mean, that's a part of it. If you want to work at a certain level, they feed into each other, but at the end of the day, it's about the work. So if it becomes more about the fame and less about the work, then I'm gonna take a step back, get back.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Your voice sounds so nice in my headphones.

[Producer/Assistant]

Almost like feathers.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

If a. Have you guys seen any reviews for the movie?

[Edi Gathegi]

Are there any reviews?

[Interviewer]

I don't even know. I was gonna ask you if you guys have seen. Has anybody said anything negative?

[Edi Gathegi]

What would be the point? People are gonna see it anyway.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, right.

[Wing Woman]

Matter.

[Interviewer]

I was wondering if, like, if you read something that specifically said something bad about the movie or one of your roles, if that would really eat at you or. It's not a big deal.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

I'd never read it. I would never, ever read that. I mean, there. There are going to be people that hate what you do no matter what you do, so just stay away.

[Commentator/Analyst]

Have you ever had anything like that kind of like punch you in the stomach and really, like, bother you for a day?

[Edi Gathegi]

Yes, For. For a day, and then you. The reality is exactly what he said is that you can't. There's no unanimous decision. Everybody. I mean, if 99% of the people love you and they think you're brilliant, there's that one person who's like, I didn't believe him.

[Interviewer]

That was terrible. Right?

[Edi Gathegi]

You know, and you can't please everybody. There's no point in even trying.

[Commentator/Analyst]

Isn't it amazing how you can have 99% of fans who love you, but that 1% just gets under your skin?

[Interviewer]

You do remember it.

[Edi Gathegi]

Yeah, but it's weird. It's 1% though, right?

[Interviewer]

And like you said, it doesn't matter on this movie anyway. All the critics could come out today and say, this is the worst movie we've ever seen in our life, and it wouldn't stop one person from coming seeing this movie. But everybody's saying great things about it.

[Commentator/Analyst]

I can't wait. I'm so excited.

[Interviewer]

People are stoked. You guys. Well, thank you for coming in.

[Edi Gathegi]

Thank you.

[Interviewer]

I don't need to wish you luck because the thing is going to be number one and you guys are both going to be very successful. I wish not. I wish not paparazzi on you.

[Jamie Campbell Bower]

Thank you very much.

[Interviewer]

I wish no personal questions and paparazzi on you. Hey, good luck you guys. Appreciate it.

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