Taylor Lautner was loyal to his wolfpack at the New York premiere of New Moon on Thursday night. Asked if vampires or werewolves were sexier, Lautner told EW: “That’s a hard question. They’re sexier in different ways. But, I mean, I’ll stay true to the pack. I’ll go werewolf.” Score one for Team Jacob. Lautner — and his co-stars including Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Nikki Reed, Ashley Greene and Kellan Lutz — continued the promotional whirlwind for New Moon at a Big Apple screening hosted by The Cinema Society and D&G. The stars might have been relieved that the New York event didn’t reach the fan frenzy of the Los Angeles premiere on Monday night — this low-key event was under the radar of most Twihards, attracting about 100 fans who stood patiently in the drizzling rain on Houston Street at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema. Notable audience members included Natalie Portman, Gossip Girl’s Jessica Szohr and Taylor Momsen, Howard Stern, Agyness Deyn, and Patrick Wilson. Lautner told us that he was happy to see Jacob’s role expanded in the sequel. “It was really exciting for me that Jacob has the opportunity to develop his relationship with Bella in this movie,” he said. “Really it’s setting up this entire series, which is this love triangle. So it was great to have them develop their relationship.” That also meant more bonding time on the New Moon set with Kristen Stewart. “Kristen and I have a very similar relationship to Jacob and Bella. We’re very open and honest with each other, we can tell each other things.” The pair probably won’t be sharing a row in your local cinema on Friday, though. Stewart was asked if she would be checking out release-day frenzy at a theater. “No!,” she said emphatically. But she did sound appreciative of all the attention directed at her character, Bella. “I think Bella is a really good role model. To be able to play her is just a serious honor.” Robert Pattinson had a guy’s guy approach when asked about how he chooses which suits to wear to his appearances. “I don’t know, I just see which one fits and see which one looks alright I guess,” the unshaven actor said. Director Chris Weitz joked that he had a hard time with the paparazzi. “They’re after me all the time. They just want pictures of me holding Rob’s hand,” he said with a laugh … Ma and Pa Cullen also spoke to us about how New Moon is a much different film than Twilight. “Twilight was like a 30-35 million dollar movie which is not cheap. But for sure, it feels a little more studio-based, this movie. It feels a little crisper, a little more epic,” Peter Facinelli (Dr. Carlisle Cullen) said. “I liked the intimate feel of [Twilight] but I think that for New Moon this works better…Chris Weitz did a fantastic job with the special effects.” Elizabeth Reaser (Esme Cullen) agreed there was a “huge difference” between Twilight and New Moon. “I thought the first one was kind of big and crazy, and this is just different. It’s a whole other level.”

And that, folks, is that … the movie is OUT in theaters now and has been for the past few hours. I, like countless others, ventured out to see The Twilight Saga: New Moon last night only to discover — after my friend Amber and I were well sated, seated and ready for action — that I had purchased tickets to a re-showing of the original Twilight movie! OY!!! By the time we realized what was going on, it was too late to get tix for New Moon (which was WELL sold out) so, because of my dumb ass, we were forced to watch Twilight again last night. My dear Amber was SUCH A SWEET SPORT for finding humor in the whole thing … I, of course, wanted to find the nearest hole to crawl into and DIE! UGH. We did have a fun night out tho … but I’ll be venturing out, again, this afternoon to finally see New Moon. I’m sure a great many of you have already seen the movie by now … so is it all that? The Twilight Saga: New Moon is OUT … what are you waiting for?

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

“Twilight” fans have taken over the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Thousands of fans filled the streets near UCLA on Monday, hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite undead stars attending the evening premiere of “New Moon’ — the second film in the “Twilight’ vampire saga. Some “Twi-hards” — as they call themselves — arrived as early as Thursday afternoon to secure a place in line for tickets allowing them to watch the stars’ arrivals on the red carpet. The 800 available tickets were all distributed by Monday morning, but the line still stretched for blocks well after lunchtime. Nicole Zamora, 36, was sixth in line after getting to Westwood on Thursday afternoon. She and her three sisters wore “New Moon” T-shirts they’d made for the occasion and said they spent the weekend “reading, listening to the iPod and trying to sleep — anything to pass the time.” Christina Fuentes and four of her friends traveled from New Jersey for the “New Moon” premiere. The 24-year-old wore vampire teeth (”They just clip on,” she said) and carried a home-made sign that read, “We flew in from NJ! We’ve been camping out for three days just to see you!” She pasted her airline boarding pass to the poster as proof. They were number 313 in line, she said. The weekend warriors were rewarded with appearances by some “Twilight” stars. “Less than an hour ago we saw Peter Facinelli drive by on his Harley, looking hot,” said 19-year-old Kelley Metoyer, referring to the actor who plays the vampire patriarch in the series.

Metoyer had camped out with six friends since Friday Scores of other fans — mostly young women — crowded onto street corners near the Mann Village and Bruin theaters, where the premiere will be held. They sat on beach chairs, displayed homemade signs and wore T-shirts proclaiming their allegiance to Team Edward or Team Jacob — the handsome vampire (Robert Pattinson) and his werewolf rival (Taylor Lautner). Michelle Cueva carried a sign identifying her group as the “Twi-hard Grannies.” “We’re representing a different generation,” said the 38-year-old, who recently became a grandmother. She and her two friends said they “planned for a whole year” and took a vacation day from work to be part of the excitement, arriving in Westwood at 5 a.m. Monday. “You see it on TV, but to see it in real life, it’s crazy,” she said. “It’s worth it to have taken the day off.” Elizabeth Rios, 20, came to the “Twilight” premiere last year and won a spot on the red carpet. This year, she was on the sidewalk across the street from the theaters. “This is like three times as crazy as last year,” she said. But not everyone was excited about the “New Moon” premiere. “I’ve never seen so many Gothic 12-year-olds in all my life,” grumbled one man as he tried to make his walk through the crowded street. “New Moon” opens Friday.

LOL! I knew this premiere was going to be crazy but … wow … it sounds really crazy. I totally understand that some young women want to be part of the hoopla and choose to camp out for days to be a part of this craziness but I cannot, for the life of me, understand the fanatical mothers and grandmothers! I mean, seriously? You’re 50 years old and you want to fight for position on the sidewalk with a bunch of teenage girls just to get near a movie premiere? Really? That’s so weird. BUT … fans are fans, I suppose. After the jump, check out a couple pics of The Twilight Trinity posing for photos at the New Moon premiere after party …

Yeah, I bet these poor guys are really, really tired of all of this promotional craziness. My guess is that they have one more event to attend in NYC before the movie FINALLY opens in theaters on Friday. Are YOU ready?? The Twilight Saga: New Moon is almost upon us … at long last.

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

The scene was electric outside of Los Angeles’ Hollywood & Highland open-air mall on Friday evening. A huge line snaked out into the streets, and much of the crowd looked strikingly similar: gaggles of teenage girls (plus guys, moms, dads, and little ones) in black T-shirts emblazoned with five key words: The Twilight Saga: New Moon. Awaiting them inside? Autographs and a Q&A with the film’s supporting cast, plus courtyard performances from four bands who contributed to New Moon’s excellent soundtrack: Band Of Skulls, Sea Wolf, Anya Marina and, to close it out, Death Cab For Cutie. In other words, this was the Hot Topic-sponsored New Moon mall tour. One of the first fans to the stage screamed to no one in particular, “Oh my God! This is the coolest thing ever!” And for the crowd that braved the odds to get there – camping out at the mall on Halloween eve to buy the shirt that would grant them their entrance – it truly seemed to be. The coolness began when Twilight heartthrobs Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner paid a surprise visit. On stage, opening with their bluesy “I Know What I Am,” U.K. three-piece Band Of Skulls burned through a set that ran just shy of 20 minutes and channeled bits of the White Stripes, Black Sabbath, and the Black Keys. An apropos performance of “Hollywood Bowl” prefaced the closing song – their garagey New Moon contribution, “Friends,” which was met with squeals at an octave previously reserved for the likes of the Beatles. Indie folk-poppers Sea Wolf followed, delivering a cello-swathed selection of songs whose titles were matched to the event: “You’re A Wolf,” from 2007’s Leaves In The River, “Turn The Dirt Over” and “Wicked Blood,” both off of the just-released White Water, White Bloom, and the at once bouncy and autumnal soundtrack piece “The Violet Hour.” Both were impressive, but Anya Marina, whose “Satellite Heart” is one of New Moon’s most captivating moments, stole the show. “What’s up Hollywood? Are you guys having fun?” the grinning singer asked to a chorus of shrieks. “Well, we want to have fun with you.” She meant it. Marina was the only musician to engage the exuberant crowd – at one point leading them in a “Team Jacob” vs. “Team Edward” cheer-off – and it paid off. Her ubiquitous hits “Vertigo” and “All The Same To Me” were extremely well-received. Another surprise, mostly lost on the audience, was regular Morrissey collaborator Alain Whyte manning guitar, especially shredding on “Afterparty At Jimmy’s.” At the other end of the spectrum, Death Cab For Cutie greeted the incredible mania with zero banter and two songs – New Moon single “Meet Me At The Equinox” and Narrow Stairs highlight “Cath…” – well-performed, but over far too soon. The band said their thanks, unplugged and walked off. Before the ensuing melee caused by the rush to see Pattinson and Stewart up close, we asked one fan if she had a favorite band on the soundtrack. “I don’t really listen to this kind of music,” said Carmina, backed by an army of self-described “Twi-tards.” “But I like it now!”

Not since Tiffany took the US by storm with her mall tour back in 1987 have mall tours been this hot. To be honest, anything attached to The Twilight Saga franchise will generate huge interest … you throw in the actors themselves and you could sell anything at a high premium. Lord, this is just the beginning of the fervent Twilight melee that is about to be unleashed upon the world. The Twilight Saga: New Moon opens in theaters in just a few weeks … I don’t know that we’re quite ready to handle the onslaught … but it’s comin’ nonetheless.

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]

Kellan’s shirt reads, Are you checking Mii out? which seems to be a reference to the Nintendo Wii video game system … but the obvs answer is, Yes, we are!! While I would vastly prefer to see photos of Mr. Lutz in various states of undress, I suppose any photos of the big lug are worth checking out ;)

[Photo credit: INFdaily]

Can I get a Hawt Damn?! I can’t say that I can honestly blame Kellan for working out with himself … I mean, look at him. If I were him there would be a lotta things that I’d do with myself … all the time ;) Homie is gettin’ big in the muscles department … and I wholly approve. Yummo!!

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin]

I think it’s quite nice that these manly dudes have no problem practicing yoga together but, you know, in a guy way … in bro-ga way. Men have been work-out buddies since time immemorial so I don’t think there is anything wrong with this … do you?

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin]

HMMM, homie knows how to work a tank top, don’t he? Yes, he does. But anyways … I recently mused that the Twilight kids were starting to make themselves at home in Vancouver, where they are currently in production on the third Twilight film, but it seems that Kellan knows exactly where his home is — SoCal. I’m not sure if he made his way back to LA for a special occasion or if he just wanted to be home when he didn’t need to be in Vancouver … as long as he continues to wear tight-fitting clothing like this, I don’t really mind where he pops up. Woot!

[Photo credit: INFdaily]

It looks like they’re everywhere, y’all! There haven’t been any new sightings of main stars Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and/or Robert Pattinson to report … one presumes they were bizzy actually working on the film. Nonetheless, everyone will be working sooner or later so that they can continue to bring the Twilightness to the hungry masses. If you are in Vancouver, be on the look out … you never know when YOU might run into a real life Twilighter.

[Photo credit: Splash News, Bauer-Griffin]

And so … the party officially gets underway. I presume the kiddies are hard at work on the movie starting today and will be hard at work for the weeks to come. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more pics of the cast chillin’ in Vancouver as production continues.

[Photo credit: INFdaily]

And so it begins … as you can see in the Kellan photo, new castmember Bryce Dallas Howard is standing next to Ashley Greene … she must be trying to ingratiate herself to the rest of the cast, which is smart. It looks like Taylor is ruling the roost with the other castmates, which is a bit different than the way the pecking order was the last time. Taylor is lucky he got to keep his role as Jacob Black cuz, as we learned from the firing of Rachelle Lefevre, any one in the Twilight cast is expendable. Now that he’s kept the role that has elevated him to one of the main stars of the film franchise, Taylor looks much much happier these days ;) I mistakenly mentioned that Robert Pattinson made his way to Vancouver with the rest of the cast (well, he is still “on his way”, he just hasn’t arrived yet and is still in Los Angeles) … so until he and/or Kristen Stewart get into town, Taylor is top dog amongst the Twilights in Vancouver. Not bad, pup.

[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin]