MTV: JACKSON RATHBONE THINKS ‘NEW MOON’ WILL BE ‘PRETTY FANTASTIC’
MTV caught up with Jackson Rathbone recently at a performance with his band, 100 Monkeys, and talked to the ‘Twilight’ star about the movie’s sequel - including what he thinks of new director Chris Weitz, what scene he’s most excited to film, and more.
Some movie stars like to make news, while others like to gossip about the news that goes on around them. And then there’s stars like the fast-rising Jackson Rathbone, who’d rather just show up, be handed a script and get to work.“I actually have not read it,” Rathbone recently told MTV about the “Twilight” sequel “New Moon” during an exclusive interview — we caught up with him this week for a concert by the actor’s side-project band, 100 Monkeys. “They have not yet released the script. So I’m still waiting on that, but I assume it’s going to be pretty fantastic.”
When we asked Rathbone about the controversies surrounding new director Chris Weitz replacing “Twilight” filmmaker Catherine Hardwicke, his reply was simple and honest, just like something you might hear from his character Jasper Hale. “Oh, that’s one of those things that’s kind of a whole political side of the acting thing, you know?” he shrugged. “I really don’t know much about [the change in directors]; I’m just an actor. They tell me where to stand and what to say.”
Asked what he thought “American Pie” filmmaker Weitz might bring to the franchise, Rathbone responded, “Honestly, I don’t know his work very well, so I couldn’t really say one way or another.”
He has, however, already read “New Moon” and can pinpoint his favorite scene — a pivotal moment that kicks off the story. “There is definitely [a scene I can’t wait to shoot]; there’s a scene where Miss Bella gets a little paper cut, and it makes me a little hungry,” he laughed. “So, I’m very excited to film that.”
Rathbone added that his improvisational band (which MTV will have a full concert story on next week) has been providing him with an outlet to practice the hunger-fueled rage that will overtake his thirsty vampire in that scene opposite Kristen Stewart. “Utter release,” he grinned, a bit sadistically. “I do it onstage every night.”
In another moment of sincerity, Rathbone surprised us with the revelation that he hadn’t even heard about the recently ended controversy over replacing Taylor Lautner for the sequels. “Oh, now you’re talking things that they don’t tell us poor little actors — really, they just tell us where to stand, what to say,” he insisted, adding that he hasn’t even been monitoring all the Twilighter chatter over the last few months. “I barely know how to work my phone, let alone the Internet.”
So, instead, Rathbone will continue working on 100 Monkeys — who will release two albums this year — as well as such upcoming films as M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Last Avatar.” And, come March, he’ll show up on the “New Moon” set, grab a script and get to work.
“Melissa Rosenberg is just an incredible writer,” he said, expressing hope for the next script from the screenwriter of the franchise. “I’ve been a fan of the ‘Dexter’ series for a long time, and working with her on ‘Twilight’ was fantastic and I’m excited to get a chance to look at it. I’m sure she’s just jam-packed it with so much stuff, to make all the fans go crazy.”
I love Jackson, and I can’t wait to see him in New Moon. I definitely agree with him on the paper cut scene - I’m definitely looking forward to seeing that on film.
What did you think of this interview? And what about the paper cut scene - are you excited to see that played out on film? Other than that, what scenes are you most looking forward to seeing in New Moon?
I love that he gives Melissa props! She really is talented and gets so beat up. She’s also almost completely overlooked when it comes to getting credit for the success of the movie.
I just love Jackson! He is so sincere, and a sweetheart! I am so anxious to see the paper cut scene! I hope it plays out very tense, as I imagined it would be. For once, I’d like to see a Cullen/Hale give into their natural instincts.
You know, I’ve been wondering how that particular scene is going to play in the next movie. If you’ll recall from Twilight the book, Bella doesn’t even see Emmett and Jasper in the ballet studio (when Edward tells her in the hospital later that they “handled” James). She didn’t even know they were there, and Edward tells her they had to leave because there was quite a lot of blood - Bella’s blood. Yet in Twilight the movie, Jasper and Emmett “handle” James right there in the studio. They don’t seem to be affected by Bella bleeding profusely right across the room from them. So I’m curious how the writers will reconcile the tolerance Jasper displayed in Twilight to his rather extreme reaction to a simple papercut in New Moon.
Also, I’ve always been curious as to why Alice didn’t see that incident coming (in the book). Not sure if Stephenie’s been asked that or has explained it anywhere, but Alice is always saying how she sees vampires best (especially Edward as she is so “attuned to him”, and Jasper, presumably, as her mate). She’s always “watching” Jasper’s future for trouble (or at least it’s mentioned in Twilight the book several times that she’s concentrating on Jasper). So how could this catastrophic incident that affected everyone around her, an incident touched off by her own mate, escape her attention? Just wildly curious if anyone has any thoughts on it…
I, for one, am most excited to see the scenes with Aro and the others in Italy. And of course Bella and Edward’s reunion once she’s home and awake. That, and perhaps the “dining room” scene where Bella takes a family vote on the issue of her potential immortality. I hope as viewers that we’re not cheated out of either of those two latter scenes! That, and even though I love Jacob, I’m hopeful that the writers don’t overdo the “romantic” side of the Bella/Jacob relationship in New Moon. Going back, I feel like their deep friendship was established in New Moon, and Jacob didn’t really push the romantic angle until Eclipse. There was no real triangle, per se, until Eclipse. That’s where it truly came to a head. I know that the writers only have so much time to develop plot lines, and some things require fast-tracking, but I hope they stay as close to the book as possible. (Wow - sorry this got so long…)
well of course im pumped to see the jasper scene because it’s the catalyst for the whole book.
and of course the whole jacob werewolf/phasing thing!
jackson’s awesome!
You know, Melissa, I’ve never really thought about that…But now that you bring it up, those are some really interesting points, especially about why Jasper could apparently resist trying to kill Bella when she was spilling loads of blood in the ballet studio vs. going insane over a tiny paper cut. I’m sure SM has some explanation for it, but I don’t remember reading it…More questions for SM to answer…
I worry a little bit about the paper cut scene. It’s such a crucial scene, and I think it will be really hard to portray it on screen without it coming off as corny or unintentionally humorous. I’m sure it can be done, but I hope the screen writer and the director find a way to emphasize just how dangerous and compelling Bella’s blood can be to the vampires.
I’M SO EXCITED CAN’T WAIT….YES
I get your point about the blood…maybe he wasn’t hungry at the ballet studio and since he didn’t go near Bella (unlike Alice and Edward who really reacted to Bella’s blood)
…but about Alice not seeing it…well, Alice only sees things once people decide to do sth…in this case the paper cut was accidental, there is no way she could have known what was going to happen, and neither could Jasper, he just smelled the blood so close to him and reacted instantly…
Anyway those are my 2 scents…
Love Jackson, he’s amazing
Melissa: In regards to Alice not being able to see the papercut, she sees the future based on the decisions people make. Bella didn’t decide to get a papercut-it just happened; and Jaspers reaction was instantaneous, so she wouldn’t have been able to see that either. That’s a good question about the ballet studio, even in the movie though, Emmet & Jasper aren’t really near Bella like Alice, Edward, and Carlisle were… they were away a bit ripping up and James & setting him on fire… not exactly replicating the explanation in the book, but close enough for it not to bother me. There were a lot of changes made for the movie that did bother me, and that wasn’t really one of them.
I can’t wait to see the paper cut scene on screen… I think it will be amazing!
I cant wait for the paper cut secene that is my favorite secene. well its my second after when jasper and alice meet up in the airport and they look into each other’s eye’s. i hope they put that in the movie.
I really wish they’d read the book of the movie they’re going to be in, lol, you’d think they’d at least do that.. *Sigh.. a bit of commitment ppl!!!
On the other hand, Jackson is easily likeable. Even as Jasper when you only get to see him do his thing for a couple of seconds it’s just too easy to be drawn to him..
GOD HES HOTTTT!
I love that he stays neutral to all the gossip and craziness. And his band is actually very very good! Its good he’s keeping things light and busy at the same time.
And absolutely, he is beautiful… those eyes, that smile, his personality, hes just a beautiful man.
i love jackson! he sounds so sexy
like a texas man. im so friggen excited for New Moon. the fans are gonna go ape crazy on it!!!! i cant wait till promotions start
I’m really excited for the papercut scene-finally we get to se some emotion form poor Jasper!
and idk if you missed it or whatever but he did read the book, when he talks about not having read anything he meant the script, although he was a bit vague and i though the same thing at first.
Definitely looking forward to more Jasper action…. Melissa brings up great points! Are any of these questions answered on Stephenies page under the FAQ of New Moon, I must go back and check. Why can’t they make Jasper a little more sexy like he is in this interview? I hated the way they made him look “like he’s in pain” all the time well except for the baseball scene. He wasn’t always unhappy and constipated looking in the book? Just quiet and stand-offish. Anyway, the band has a great sound, HEY = shouldn’t 100 Monkeys get at least one track on the New Moon soundtrack? I think yes……
Don’t you just love him? I could just stare at him all day…
One word: Jackson!!!!!!!
Swoon!
I agree with Jackson as well on the paper cut scene. I’m sure he will do great during it. He is such a great and honest man.
I frickin love him!
Can’t wait for the paper cut scene either!!
love Jackson and Jasper!
i really like it when jasper said “i think we can handle that” and he smiled..OMG!its feels like im being shot by his smile!
argh!!!im so fall in love with him..ahhahahaha
i like him and all but does anyone else think that he looks like Tim Burton right now or am i alone on this one????
Re:”I really wish they’d read the book of the movie they’re going to be in, lol, you’d think they’d at least do that.. *Sigh.. a bit of commitment ppl!!!”
i think it’s the script he hasn’t read yet, he has read the book that’s why he’s looking forward to the papercut scene.