Start drinking vodka instead of beer, and try to get a six-pack as early as possible and you'll be a much more successful actor.

Money by Martin Amis. I read it when I was 15, I read it hundreds of times since then and it always makes me laugh. Amis has managed to create a world that is both funny and abrasive. I'd love to play John Self, the depraved hero, who's without illusions, he created.

What was the worst thing [making Twiligh]? Playing the part where you can't get hurt and you can't die because there's no framework. There are too many possibilities if you can't die. If you're playing a normal human being, there's always that.

Christoph Waltz is stunning, an insanely nice guy. He is not only a ridiculously good actor, he’s also funny, helpful & a good colleague. I like his work ethic. I mean, the guy has won an Oscar and despite that he is receptive, open-minded & not the least bit snooty. Reese Witherspoon is the same. It may be the nicest cast that I have worked with yet.

The most embarassing is when friends ask you to meet up with them and you have to tell them "Sorry I can't go to that place" because you're fully aware photographers will be waiting for you there. I feel like such a weasle when things like that happen, like the world has to revolve around me.

You really, really feel like you have no control [participating in franchise] . I mean, it's a huge juggernaut, especially when something becomes part of the cultural landscape in a way as well. It's really scary because you get trapped and you get scared of changing, which is the worst thing that can happen if you want to be any kind of artist.

It happened while I was filming “Water for Elephants in which my partner is Reese Witherspoon. We had a scene with elephants but there were so many paparazzi around that it was scaring the animals and it was impossible to film. Out of the blue, fans, that were waiting for autographs, had enough and circled around the paparazzi. Teens made big guys run away. It was unreal! I was pleased.