At the LA press junket, I sat down with Greene to talk about life on the set of New Moon and playing one of the most popular characters in the Twilight series.
Exclusive Ashley Greene Interview
It must have been a lot easier this time around, wasn't it?Ashley Greene: "I had a lot more fun on New Moon. Definitely. In the first one, we were all terrified that everyone was going to hate us and no one was going to accept us. And the fact that the fans embraced us and we had so much positive support going in made it a lot easier for me to go in and still make it better."
And your character gets to do so much more in this one, so that must have made it a lot more interesting.
Ashley Greene: "Yes, it was fun, and you know what? I'm glad it happened when it happened though, because during the first one I was so new and nervous and just going, 'What the heck is going on?' But by the time I got to the second one, I was a little more grounded and had my bearings a little better. Plus, Chris Weitz was incredible. You couldn't ask for a better director."
Can you compare him to Catherine Hardwicke?
Ashley Greene: "Chris and Catherine are just so separate and different. They're both incredible, but Catherine is so high energy and she's kind of all over the place. I just don't understand how the woman goes and goes and goes. And then you get Chris and he is the most Zen, calm person ever. He’s very like, 'This is here and this is there. We’re going to try this. If you don't like it, then...' But he’s just so Zen. It’s so funny, the difference between the two. And then I think Chris had a lot more preparation."
"I think that Catherine, the kind of nice thing about it is that she was going through this crazy madness with us, going, 'What the heck is going on?' And so that was actually kind of cool because we could all relate on that level. And then Chris had time, and he definitely did his homework. He came with a packet of what he wanted to do. The mood and everything, it was just very [calm]. He was very respectful."
Was Chris as collaborative as Catherine was?
Ashley Greene: "Yes, I definitely think so. He was. It was nice because we were all...I mean I don't think it could have gone better. We were all so open to each other's ideas because it was a really positive atmosphere."
Was it easier off the set dealing with the fans this time?
Ashley Greene: "You know, it just keeps growing."
It’s never easy.
Ashley Greene: "And you can never ever get used to it. It’s incredible. I can't wrap my head around it right now because we hit Twilight and the premiere and the opening weekend and the fans... I was just going, 'Oh my gosh, how could that last?' That was it, that was the top and I was okay with it. And then this one’s coming around and the anticipation’s even higher. And the fans are growing and they're even more dedicated and crazy about this film. I don't even know."
Did you find the time in between the two films to be absolutely crazy for you personally, because people want to know everything about you now?
Ashley Greene: "Definitely. In between the first and the second film it was a little crazy. One, because I am so new to this world and I think we all are. I mean, what is this world, really? And it was a little crazy having paparazzi sit outside my house."
Did they really do that?
Ashley Greene: "Oh yes."
How did you handle that?
Ashley Greene: "I think the fans are phenomenal. The paparazzi, I'm going, 'Please go away and leave me alone.' They want that photo. That photo sells now, which is so bizarre to me. People pay money for a photo of me drinking in Starbucks. So that was a little crazy. And sometimes it's a little frustrating. On the same token, it's not like woe is me because people want to see my picture in a magazine. People do care what I'm doing and that's the reason why I'm able to continue on with this job. But then, you know, in between I was also wrapped and then started doing photo shoot after photo shoot after press event for the film and the premiere and all that stuff, and then we went right back and shot the second one. We just finished the third one and now there's the press work for the second one. And so it’s just crazy."
Do you ever look back and go, "Why did I sign on to this?" Or was it the best thing you could possibly have done?
Ashley Greene: "No, it’s the best thing. You know, there are moments where I do, but then I have to sit back and go, 'Okay, why are you complaining right now because anyone would kill to be in your shoes?' We all are people, we all get tired, and so there are moments where I just sit there and I just want to sit in a corner and be like, 'I just want to sleep.' Right? I mean I'm 22 years old, it couldn’t have happened at a better time, and it’s a really good chapter. I'm going to look back on my life and go, 'Okay, you were tired but look at all the things that you had to do within three years.'"
And all those millions and millions of girls who will always recognize you as Alice.
Ashley Greene: "And I think they're so dedicated. I think they're going to be with me for the rest of my life. And to have that solid fan base of young girls that are going to grow up with you is...it's an actor’s dream. I mean they will stand by you."
