Facinelli was too young for Twilight

 TWILIGHT star PETER FACINELLI almost lost out on the chance to play vampire family patriarch CARLISLE CULLEN - because producers were looking for someone older.

Facinelli felt sure he'd missed out on his chance to star in the film franchise because of his age - and he reveals the role was actually handed to another leading actor.

He says, "I went in and I read with Catherine (director Hardwicke) and I thought it went well and then I didn't get the part. They offered it to somebody else because they were afraid that I looked too young next to the other cast members, so they were going to go older with this other actor.

"Then he fell out and they ended up going back to the original, which was me."

Facinelli had no idea he was still in the running to play Cullen when he sent Hardwicke a book gift and his best wishes for making the first Twilight film.

He adds, "I sent Catherine a book... 50 Years of Vampire-Making in Hollywood... I sent it to Catherine because I really was a fan of hers and I loved working with her in the audition, and I said, 'I'm sorry it didn't work out, maybe we'll work together in the future. I hope this book inspires you to make a good vampire movie.'

"She actually got the book the day that the other guy fell out and they were like, 'Who do you want (instead)?' and she was like, 'What about Peter Facinelli?' I always joke with her and say, 'I bought my role for $29.99.'"

TWILIGHT FAME FORCES STAR TO LIVE LIKE OO7

ROBERT Pattinson has to live like a paranoid James Bond because of obsessed Twilight fans.

The superstar, who plays vampire sex god Edward Cullen in the hit series, lives his life like a secret agent so crazy fans can’t hunt him down.

R-Patz, 25, said: “It’s annoying, like, trying to find somewhere to live, because you are literally thinking about things like you are a fugitive, or a CIA undercover operative or something, you are genuinely worried about spies.

“Trying to find a house you’re like, ‘What’s the street parking like? Can people see in? I can’t have people park outside.’

“You can’t have anyone cleaning your place, and you have to worry about your guests just in case someone talks about where you live. It’s crazy.”

However despite all this he loves being part of the Twilight saga, adding: “I guess everybody’s got something to complain about, no matter what their life is, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons.”

While girls around the globe think Rob’s vampire character Edward Cullen is amazing, the man himself finds him annoying.

He said: “The annoying thing about him is the fans’ perception of him being the perfect guy.

“I wanted to play his flaws, but then you have this sub- liminal idea coming from everywhere saying, ‘No, he’s got to be perfect!'”

Despite being one of Britain’s biggest heart-throbs the blood-sucking hunk has no idea why girls are obsessed with his “ugly” undead character. Rob said: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a vampire movie where I think the vampires are attractive. They end up looking worse than they do in their real life with the pale make-up and the fangs.

“I have never understood the fascination with vampires. People are obsessed and I don’t know why.

“I know the history of it. I find it interesting to think there are true stories of things in, say, Romania.

“I like all the conspiracy theory aspects of it.”

Kristen Stewart: 'I like talking about Twilight'

Kristen Stewart has said that she loves talking about The Twilight Saga.

The actress, who plays Bella Swan in Stephenie Meyer's vampire franchise, confessed that she is not always aware of her position but feels it is important to reflect on and be appreciative of her success.

"I like talking about these movies. When you're actually talking about the movies, I have a really good time with it," Stewart explained to MTV News.

"You don't always get times that you have to articulate this stuff, so it's actually good to think about."

Asked if she would be glad to distance herself from the Twilight frenzy once the final film is released, Stewart answered: "Sure, but at the same time, these things are so rare and sporadically intense that part of it is easy to [do].

"I have to force myself to enjoy it - not force myself because it's hard, but acknowledge that I am enjoying [the moment] rather than going, 'God, this is so crazy'."

Stewart recently confessed that it feels "weird" to know that she will never film another Twilight film.

The actress has said that she only recently became comfortable with doing interviews with the press.