The first thing you'll see in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is new cast member Xavier Samuel running down a pitch black alley trying to escape a vampire attack. It's a more menacing opening than one might expect from a Twilight film, and Samuel's character, newborn vampire Riley, adds a welcome element of mystery to the franchise. It's a meaty role for the Aussie actor, one that will undoubtedly make him a star.

CityNews.ca spoke with Samuel while he was in Toronto promoting the The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Read our Q&A below.

Brian McKechnie: How did you come to get the part in 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse'?

Xavier Samuel: I had been auditioning for American stuff for quite awhile and sending it all into oblivion, never knowing if anyone saw it. So to hear back was bizarre. I flew to Vancouver on a "maybe" and met [director] David Slade there. Then I did a callback in Los Angeles, rushed back to Sydney to get more clothes, and then started shooting [in Vancouver]. It was a bit of a whirlwind but was a lot of fun.

Were you a fan of the 'Twilight' series?

I knew that it was very popular and I had seen the lunchboxes and pillow cases, and it was on the back of buses everywhere, but I think I was the only one on the face of the planet who hadn't read the books. So [when I got the part] I ran to the bookstore and read them very quickly and it's safe to say I'm a big fan now.

What drew you to the Riley character?

The complexity of him. He's not a two-dimensional villain -- he's still got human blood pumping through his veins. He's kind of a tragic figure in a way because he's being manipulated and seduced, and will do anything for love even if it means assembling a newborn army of bloodthirsty vicious vampires. He's had his humanity snatched from him and as a result has this intense jealousy and rage.

Was it hard coming into the series on the third film as a new cast member?

In theory, coming in as an outsider and playing a bad guy, you imagine you'd be ostracized but I was relieved that everyone was so down to earth and warmly welcomed me into the family.

Has the 'Twilight' fan base surprised you?

Reading it is like falling in love again so I understand why people are so passionate about it. It is surprising in that the hysteria is unlike anything I've ever seen.

Have the fans embraced you yet?

Because the character is so dear to everyone you sort of become them but I haven't been mobbed yet or anything.

Did you ever go through a vampire phase?

No, I never did really. I've seen a lot of really great vampire films... there's a great one called Let the Right One In. I think there is something really compelling about eternal love and mortality and that the thing you love could kill you.

Were there any challenges for you during production?

Going to the gym and learning all the stunts was kind of fun. The challenges were living up to the character and really delivering. So it was remaining as focused as possible and doing the best job as possible. And fighting with imaginary wolves of course.

How is 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' different from the previous films?

It's more action-packed and the stakes are much higher now that Bella has this choice to make. One of the exciting things about the whole saga is that each time there's a new director and they bring their own interpretation and aesthetic to the film. David Slade really has this fierce grip on the dark side of the film and if you watch something like Hard Candy, which was another one of his films, the performances are so well measured. He's really an actor's director [and] it's really a film as opposed to a movie.

Do you have a preference over what genre you work in?

I guess it's like my taste in music. It's very broad and I just want to be involved in stuff that challenges me. I don't really look at it from genre. I'm not dying to do a romantic comedy or anything but if that comes along and it presents a challenge it could be great.

How would you sell someone on 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' who may not have liked the last two films?

Isn't everyone a Twilight fan? I understand it's not up everyone's alley but this film in particular takes it to a new level and it stands on its own. Again, David Slade comes from a very different perspective than I imagine the other filmmakers come from so it's exciting to have it in his hands. The chase sequences are awesome... everything about it I'm really proud of.

What's next for you?

I just finished a Roland Emmerich film called Anonymous. It's kind of a departure for him and is about the authorship of Shakespeare's plays. I got the impression it was a story that was really dear to his heart and something he always wanted to tell. I play this guy called Southhampton and I have long, blond, curly hair. He's really loyal and is a patron of the theatre but is staging a rebellion at the same time. It was a lot of fun to do.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is in theatres June 30.

brian.mckechnie@citynews.rogers.com

Top image: Xavier Samuel leads the 'newborns' in a scene from The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Courtesy E1 Entertainment.