After films like Kinsey and Gods and Monsters and musicals like Chicago and Dreamgirls, Breaking Dawn is a shift from serious films. How come?
It was a lot of things, I thought it was a really wild and interesting story and also there has been so much build up that this is the movie where things come together and happen. That’s why I felt like I wanted to explore that. The actors had a lot to do with it as well. I mean the journey that Kristen takes in these two movies has been incredible in terms of were she starts and were she ends up. I am a huge fan of hers, and thought would help her through that. And also Rob’s and Taylor’s (fan).
The Twilight Saga has been a work in progress, Breaking Dawn even more so. Taking over the directorial mantle, what was the experience like to finish the story and tell the most important part - one that’s been read and re-read so many times.
I constantly kept thinking of where I wanted it go. It was the simplicity of Bella and Edwards relation and the fact that it is a love story. It started as a teenage first love and then gets complicated and involves families and then they have a lot of adult issues and finally they make it together. Getting to do all that was very satisfying and I hope the audiences feel the same.
Was it a little intimidating taking on a core cast that was already part of the film and had lived and breathed the characters you had to direct?
That was what excited me in fact - the ups and downs that Bella goes through, Edward’s and Jacob’s dilemmas. And as I said I wanted to help them go through that.
You created a stir when you changed the hair colour of one of the characters.
I did what I thought could bring a bit of change in the movie, to break the monotony for the actors for four long years with the lenses and makeup.
Who was it easiest working with: Robert, Kristen or Taylor?
It was not difficult working with any actor in the movie because each of them had already lived the character. But I am a big fan of Kristen Stewart; she is very tough on herself.
Which of the previous films did you like best and why?
I think I like the Breaking Dawn part 1 of all because I think it had a lot in it — the wedding, the honeymoon, the child birth and then Bella going through death. It is full of meat.
You are a screenwriter, but stayed away from the writing process for the film.
That’s because I wanted to keep my focus on the scenes and the actors and look of the movie.
Did you think of adding a song in between, especially since Pattinson is a musician?
No I didn’t!!!
What do you have in store next?
I am working on a Richard Pryor movie. I am returning to direct a show onstage at the end of next year.
Any Indian dreams?
In the US, we always hear about Indian family culture, the hospitality and the country’s historic places. I would love to come and visit the place to experience all this myself, not to mention the spicy Indian food!