Fans flock to 'Twilight' premiere in Los Angeles

[November 18, 2008]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Hundreds of shrieking fans -- mostly teenage girls -- lined the streets outside the Mann Village and Bruin Theatres on Monday for a chance to peek at the stars attending the Los Angeles premiere of "Twilight." Some enthusiasts of the popular vampire literary series-turned-movie camped out overnight, while many arrived at dawn to secure a place in line.

"I'm on basic motor functions right now," actor Robert Pattinson, who plays sexy vamp Edward, said amid fans' screams.

More than 600 people were allowed inside special holding areas along both sides of the premiere's red carpet. The self-proclaimed fanpires gawked, squealed and begged for autographs and photos with the stars. Others spilled out beyond the barricades and across the street from the premiere. Many held up handmade signs. Most just wanted face time. What question did they ask the most?

"`What's it like kissing vampires?'" said actress Kristen Stewart, who plays human teenager Bella.

Marie Sheranian, 16, and Brianna Matheson, 17, came from Simi Valley, Calif., to catch a glimpse of Pattinson, the 22-year-old actor who became a heartthrob after winning the role of Edward. The two "Twilight" fans created T-shirts professing their devotion for Pattinson and brought crates to stand on in hopes of seeing the actor's face -- or even the top of his hair -- from above the crowd.

"My heart is gonna explode," Sheranian said from atop a crate.

Not everyone in the horde was a howling teenage girl. Several teenage boys were sprinkled throughout the crowd. And there were even a few parents -- including the founders of TwilightMoms.com, who left their children and husbands at home to attend the premiere. Pia Castillo said she came all the way from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to see the film's bloodsuckers in person.

"It's shocking something I came up with could inspire all this," said "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer.

The red carpet was buzzing about possible sequels. Meyer has written three other "Twilight" novels.

Pattinson said he signed on for the film thinking it would be part of a trilogy, and he knows a script for a second film has been written.

Stewart said she originally heard the cast might reunite to film both the second and third sequels at the same time, but now they might be filmed separately.

"It has to make a certain amount of money, like $150 million, to be able to afford the sequel," director Catherine Hardwicke said. "So we really don't know yet."

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On the Net:

http://www.twilightthemovie.com/

[Associated Press; By DERRIK J. LANG]

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