‘Twilight’ Studio Feared Robert Pattinson Wasn’t Attractive Enough To Play Edward Cullen, Director Says: “Did You See His Cheekbones?”

Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke revealed the studio behind the vampire romance was initially hesitant about casting heartthrob Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen.

During an interview on the Watchalong podcast, Hardwicke revealed that the studio, Summit Entertainment, was concerned over how Pattinson looked at the time.

“When he came over to my house, he had black bangs for hair and was kind of out of shape because he was hanging out at the pub all the time,” Hardwicke said. “I thought it works not just in person, but it works on screen. I had to be sure. Of course, in person, I just got carried away, but you have to be sure — does it really translate [to the screen]?”

She explained that Pattinson went to the studio to meet with executives after they watched his “fun auditions” with Kristen Stewart. “He walked over there with a stained shirt… It was Rob,” she said.

“They called me back and go, ‘Do you think you can make this guy look good?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I do. Did you see his cheekbones? We’re doing a makeover on the hair and everything and he’s going to start working out and he’s going to be gorgeous,’” she said. “But they didn’t believe it at first.”

Hardwicke also revealed which actors were also in the running for the iconic role. Besides Pattinson, stars like Ben Barnes, Shiloh Fernandez, and Jackson Rathbone were also being considered for the role. Rathbone didn’t land the part, but he did end up in Twilight eventually, playing the role of Jasper Cullen — needless to say, Team Edward could have looked very different!

Hardwicke’s interview also discredited Josh Peck‘s recent claims that he was almost cast to play Edward.

The former Nickelodeon star told Taylor Lautner, who played Edward’s rival Jacob in the film, that he had made the final four actors being considered.

Peck said, “I remember it’s like 2006? [2007]? They’re like, ‘Audition for this movie, Twilight, it’s based on a book and it’s going to be great.’ So I send in my tape, for Edward. A month later, I’m with my manager and he goes, ‘It’s down to you and three guys, you’re close.’”

He admitted that he couldn’t believe it at the time, saying, “I hadn’t even had a tummy tuck yet.’ I’m like, ‘There’s no way. He’s got to be so shirtless, it’s not going to happen.'”

Now there’s a chance that someone else will have to take on the iconic role. A Twilight television series is reportedly in the works at Lionsgate with the series author Stephenie Meyer attached.