Interview: Robert Pattinson’s Stunt Double Preston Johnson

Willamette Week Online, has a super cool article featuring the lucky man who was able to score the job of being photo and stunt double to none other than Robert Pattinson!

Preston Johnson, 22, had just gotten out of class in Eugene when he got the call from a casting agency: “Do you still have long hair?” they asked. A couple weeks, hair length confirmation and multiple auditions later, the University of Oregon student was kickin’ it on the set of a small film called Twilight with actors Kristen Stewart (Bella), Robert Pattinson (Edward) and the rest of the vampy gang—paid around $150 a day to pile on pale make-up and fight off crazed fans and TwilightMoms as Pattinson’s photo/stunt double on the film’s Oregon set. As New Moon, the second film installment of the mega-popular book series, hits theaters and decimates box office records, Johnson looked back on his three months of filming as the other Edward.

WW: How did you first hear about the job? Did you have to audition?

Preston Johnson: Actually, it’s a weird story. I had been somewhat of a skating double for Gus Van Sant’s Paranoid Park and [the agency] must have saved my file. I had to do about 5 or 6 interviews. It was a pain in the ass because I was doing school in Eugene and was driving back and forth to audition. I almost dropped out of the running. But then they decided to use me as Robert’s stand-in. I just had to stand there while they tested lighting. But then I got talking to the director, and he liked me, so he promoted me to a photo double, where they shot me for crane work or behind-the-head-shots.

Had you ever read Twilight?

No, I still haven’t read the books! I’ve only read the scripts. I don’t even think Robert had read it when we were filming.

Had you heard about it?

No, no one knew about Twilightwhen we started working on it. No one knew it was going to be as big as it is today. It was a very calm set. There were no fans until the very end of the shoot. By the end there were teenage girls and the TwilightMoms. This bunch of moms would just sit around all day and take pictures. But even then, no one had any idea how big it was going to be. When it came out, I talked to Rob, and to be honest, I just don’t think he was ready for that kind of attention.

So you still talk to Robert?

He changed his phone number, but I can’t blame him for that. We talked for a little bit. I have Kristen’s number. I called her last month to say hi. But they have busy lives.

Umm, so do any of you see the resemblance?  Well he is a lucky duck nonetheless, and it’s cool that he was still able to reach Kristen.  Preston also talks about his experience when he went to see New Moon last week & people actually thought he was RPatz!  To check the ultra cool interview, head over to Willamette Week Online.

(Thanks, Diana!)

Category: Robert Pattinson