Why Robert Pattinson Nearly Gave up Acting

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The director of 'Twilight' hunk Robert Pattinson's latest independent film says the vampire heartthrob considered ending his acting career.

Oliver Irving, director of 'How to Be,' tells People.com that the 22-year-old actor wanted a new challenge and was thinking about pursuing his music interests. "He was thinking about giving up acting and maybe doing music solely when this role came along."

The director says that Pattinson's being cast as the lead playing an awkward, quirky young musician who hires a self-help guru to come and live with him "got him back into the swing of things again." Among the challenges for Pattinson in 'How to Be' -- which filmed prior to 'Twilight' -- were playing the guitar and harmonica. Pattinson sang two songs on the independent flick's soundtrack.

Irving says Pattinson's performance in 'How to Be' showed he was an accomplished musician as well as a good actor. "He has a playfulness and naivety that he was able to inject into the character. He's very down to earth and unpretentious. I think that's probably what makes him appealing."

'How to Be' is currently playing at screenings on its U.S. Tour and at festivals worldwide. It premieres April 29 on the Independent Festival Direct movies-on-demand TV channel.

Published 4/29/09 by the Insider

Comments (18)

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  • robert pattison is the sexyest guy in this world!!! u are my future husband ROB!!!i am MRS.PATTISON!! SO BACK OFF FROM MY MAN...u are hot and sexy.i wish i was with u right now...i mean as in right now.u are so good looking ....i broke up with my...
    Anonymous 5/18/09 Reply
  • Robert Pattinson is duplicitous.

    Robert Pattinson is merely average. " Edward Cullen" is make up. There is a whole other person underneath that charade. Wake up, he cries about the fame being so stressful and yet his actions contradict him....
    P.T.H 5/16/09 Reply
  • iff he had stopped acting......I can´t even think about it.....ugh(shiver)
  • forget all of yall hes mine!!!!! ily rob =]
    Anonymous 5/3/09 Reply
  • yeah yeah its rob. who doesnt love a guy who smokes and drinks. or looks like he does anyway. oh he looks so super hot on screen! but all of u can have him. i want the one and ONLY Taylor Lautner! *Heart Flutters*
    Anonymous 5/1/09 Reply
  • I LOVE YOU ROBERT PATTINSON




    SINCERELY THE FUTURE MRS.PATTINSON
    Anonymous 4/30/09 Reply
  • i m waiting to see "How to be" i'll got u Rob......................................
    Moushumi 4/30/09 Reply
  • i think that Robert is great and really cool and i am not saying that just like that i know him very well and i can tell you anything about him
    Sara Croft
    kid05 4/30/09 Reply
  • Ok, he's hott. We get it. I love the Twilight series, too. You preteen girls need to get a grip, though. Let's get a little more realistic... no guy in this day and age could possibly fufill all the things "Edward" embodies... no, not even...
    Anonymous 4/30/09 Reply
  • all u people need to get a life of your own
    realperson 4/29/09 Reply
  • i am glad he didnt give up acting i love him!!!!! hes SOOOO hot
    kendra0316 4/29/09 Reply
  • he ToTAllY NeEdS To rEalLy FiNiSh thE rEsT oF tHE mOvIeS!!!!
    princess123 4/29/09 Reply
  • DAZZING !!!
    GoinNowhere 4/29/09 Reply
  • freak
    DaeA 4/29/09 Reply
  • just wanted to know if the movie how to be is ever going to hit mainstream movie theaters.
    Anonymous 4/29/09 Reply