Edi Gathegi plays Laurent in New Moon

Twi-mania reaches new highs as the latest installment in the series, New Moon, hits theaters today. In an interview with The Diamondback, New Moon stars Edi Gathegi and Jamie Campbell Bower talked about crazy fans, working with director Chris Weitz and the enduring Edward vs. Jacob debate. Gathegi plays the vampire Laurent while Bower plays newcomer Caius, a Volturi vampire. In addition, Bower had a role in 2007’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street  and is in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, in which he plays the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.

Bower on the pair’s stop at a Hot Topic store at Fair Oaks Mall the previous day …

“I’d say there was a thousand people there. I did feel for some of them at one point. They were like, ‘Can I get a high five?’ and Edi and I were like, ‘Sure, sure, of course.’ You give one person a high five at the front and then everybody pushes forward. I was like, ‘Whoa, c’mon, we don’t need anyone dying here.’ That’s the last thing we need on a Twilight tour.”

Gathegi on working with director Chris Weitz, who replaced Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke …

“I think Catherine had a wonderful, childlike attitude about things. She was very excited and in your face. Chris was very reserved and intellectual. … [They’re] both very valid approaches. Different people, different directors. 

“I think the film is going to be fantastic. Chris is just a very capable director. I mean, About A Boy was a wonderfully heartfelt movie, and then he has a CGI background with The Golden Compass. And he’s combining the two with New Moon.”

Gathegi on the Saturday Night Live spoof “Firelight,” which pokes fun at The Twilight Saga …

“It was clever. It was well done. I was like, ‘This looks like Catherine directed it! How long did you guys take? Did you go into pre-production? Did you spend millions of dollars?’ I mean, it looked legit. It really captured exactly what the trailer captured, but in a spoofy way.”

Bower on the film’s soundtrack …

“I dig it. I’m into it. I love Death Cab [for Cutie]. The track for the film is great. Band of Skulls, Muse, Editors — I love it.”

Gathegi on playing a vampire …

“When I was a kid, I used to feel like if I concentrated hard enough, I would levitate or I could push my hand through a wall. I feel like it’s pretty standard for kids to feel like they want to be greater than they actually are. And I think vampires are an extension of that superpower mythology. It’s actually cool to finally be able to get to play one, a being with super strength and super speed. I guess one of the more sexy ghouls out there. They were once humans. They’re not like zombies; they still have their looks.”

Bower on doing Harry Potter …

“I am doing Harry Potter. Well, I’m not doing Harry Potter. Me and Daniel Radcliffe, it’s purely a friend thing. It’s great, it’s good fun. I’m playing a small role in Potter as well.”

Gathegi on who he supports, Edward Cullen or Jacob Black …

“Edward. This is a romance story. The vampire aspect is a backdrop, but I think it’s [Edward and Bella’s] love for each other that people are attached to. Edward Cullen has waited his entire life for someone worth falling in love with, and he’s met her, and he doesn’t want to live without her. He quite literally kills himself without her, and that’s just about as romantic as you can get. Jacob steps in there, and he’s fun and he’s cool and he’s new, but that’s not really what it’s all about. It’s love.”

diversions@umdbk.com