Interview: Robert Pattinson’s Stunt Double Preston Johnson

106 Comments December 2, 2009 by Filed Under: Robert Pattinson

Eclipse Rob and stunt double Interview: Robert Pattinsons Stunt Double Preston Johnson robert pattinson  

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

  • PhoenixMP3 ~ Mrs. Cudmore

    oooo heck I didn't notice the guest list had increased yaaaaayyyy new people to see woooo hoooo I get scared that we seem to wish our lives away from film to prom to film to prom lmao

    I'm sorry you got sick was it flu type stuff?? I will get to Vegas one day

    Wowo NM converted your boyfriend?? Tell CW it's another reason he should do BD lol. I must admit Hearing Damage with Victoria's chase to the cliff is one of my favourite scenes. It's just perfection

    Shame Rachelle is been replaced really she nailed it!!!

  • yasmin1028

    Is it just me or he looks nothing like our beloved Robert?
    He's talking about it like it was nothing.
    Oh and to think that someone was actually dumb enough to think he weas the actual Robert at the theatre is hilarious! He doesn't realize how lucky he was to be apart of the series.

  • Sparks_TeamPellan

    The one on the left is Rob right..? ;p Haha

  • Sparks_TeamPellan

    Ha ha ;)

  • Sparks_TeamPellan

    LOL! ;P

  • PhoenixMP3 ~ Mrs. Cudmore

    :D

    LMAO

  • CC; Miami Coven's Jane

    *shudders at the thought of Spence and Heidi (?)*

    Those two are the reason mtv sucks now!

  • http://www.PetitionOnline.com/nmmpet/petition.html cara08/NO_MR/TeamFrostyJunk

    Please sign and pass on the link-

    http://www.PetitionOnline.com/nmmpet/petition.html

  • TeamEdward Jake just grew up

    I know if I were him I wouldn't be giving an interview I mean he didn't work on New Moon or Eclipse because he wasn't worth the money doubt he'll do BD after this interview

  • TeamEdward Jake just grew up

    No kidding whoever gave that interview won't be doing anymore anytime soon I wish I had Kristen's number I'd tell her to read this interview so she could kick his a$$

  • http://www.krystier.blogger.com Krys

    I'm sorry I'm putting this here, but I'm kind of tired of everyone ragging on him. First of all, it's a magazine. You don't have to like what it said, and it may not even be true. Second of all, he didn't say he didn't apologize, or she didn't, or that it was even a big deal. He just said what went through his mind. Don't we all have the same thoughts about our friends sometimes? It was probably a one-time thing. Chill. And also, they asked the questions.(And they're the ones that called Kristen a b*tch.) He just answered them. And those probably weren't all of the questions, just the ones with interesting answers. He seems plenty nice to me. I think they blew it out of proportion, and then so did we. Now, I don't mean to sound like a b*tch, but I guess I kind of do. I apologize.

  • uinen

    he is better looking than rob

  • http://www.krystier.blogger.com Krys

    Hahaha, I agree.

  • TeamEdward Jake just grew up

    Yes he just wanted some of what the twilight cast is getting
    Next we're going to get interviews from the food and props people

  • Rplynn_robstenexists

    I get what you're saying – we all are entitles to our opinion and that applies to him as well. But honestly, he knows how many people read this stuff, and how many fans Kristen has that will be looking at this, and in comparison, he's just making him look like the idiot who ragged on about someone a lot more accomplished than himself.

    The interviewers asked it, YES, but he's the one answering. They're putting words in his mouth for juicier answers and he just played right along with it. And him b*tching about her than trying to call her shortly after? I don't know, I find it a little contradictory.

    I understand where you're coming from but I have to say I still disagree.

  • ills

    Why did he call CH a 'he'?

    Anyways, i don't know.. bad vibes. I dunno why he said that Rob didn't read the books though.

  • Rplynn_robstenexists

    I do agree with the magazine maybe not even being true.. I should take this into considering seeing how many times they've been wrong in relation to Rob & Kristen's interviews.

  • http://ingerasultau7.weblog.ro/ Diana

    Maybe we can bribe him into giving us the number:))))))))))))

  • Sherileprada

    I agree. If you plan on ever getting another job as a stunt double don't talk crap about the actors people like. Crazy-non looking like Rob-calling Rob a kid when he's older than him-guy!

    P.s. I loooove your avatar thingy. It made me laugh so much. That is the best Bella tattoo in the world.

  • AshleyAnne5

    I don't see the resemblance… but then again he was always moving very fast during his stunts… and poor guy, he may want to call up Rob and chat but can't… :(

  • ANJEE

    is it me.. or doe the stunt double remind you of MICHAEL ANGARANO.. kristen's “ex” bf… O________________O”!!!!!

    http://images.starpulse.com/pictures/2008/02/29…

    pic from google

  • VivaRogue!

    yeah when i read that i was like “What the hell?” he sounds like a real prick.

  • VivaRogue!

    yeah plus i mean why would rob and kristen act all horny and “i'm so acttracted to you” on set? when EVERYONE else is there? i mean especially him. i bet you everyone thought he was some a-hole. rob and kristen werent all you know what til after the movie was done and the promoting stuff started right? or somewhere around there…

  • VivaRogue!

    ahahaha when i see blasphemy written like that i imagine an old british accent screaming it and saying right after “preposterous-ABSURD!!”

  • http://adayinthelifeofdollface.blogspot.com TEAM PERV

    Look at that pic!!! BRING THE EDWARD HAIR BACK DAMMIT!

  • cutesweetiezzz

    Why would Rob's stunt double call Kristen? That's so stupid. I don't want to be mean, but he's only a stunt double. What made him think he had a chance with Kristen?

  • IloveyouEdward

    r you trying to say robs the opposite missy :O?
    lmao :P

  • IloveyouEdward

    he looks nothing like rob
    hes ewwy only looks cute with the make-up
    wat ever he is an *ss hole for sayin that shit

    and ROB OBVIOUSLY HAD MORE THEN ONE GF you f*k tard.
    wwt is he trying to say hes not good enough to get kristen cuz he only had one gf ?
    pffffffffffffft.

  • grashppr36

    Ok. The time has come for me to finally post!

    This is just really sad.
    They did not pull agency listings.
    They did this HUGE open casting call in Portland.
    The only people that came with were the pre-hired personal stunt doubles. Sigh.

    This guy was one of SEVERAL 'stand ins'- my friend Logan Welch (who is listed in the end credits as well as RPatz mentions him in the director's commentary on the dvd) said that Rob and Kristen spent alot of time together and that they were very intense about work. NOTE: work, lol.

    He was also the photographer in the prom entrance scene. He drove the volvo to the Cullens (meet the family) and pulled the branch out of the bank (as if you could fight me off)

    I want to point out the Logan is very quiet about it and I am more outspoken than he is, lol.

    Rob's actual stunt double for wirework, etc was a guy named Paul Darnell.

    Logan said Rob was pretty cool and that Kristen was nice. End of story. And he just got done working as a production assistant on 'Extraordinary Measures' with Harrison Ford (which is why New Moon/
    Eclipse was filmed in Vancouver instead of OR/WA-all the media resources were booked,)

    *Steps off soapbox*
    ~End Rant~
    PS Logan's mom Tiffany was an extra in the cafeteria so take that online snag mag.

  • http://twitter.com/theverybest I♥TayDaniel(TeamUpNotherNotch)

    What?!
    no…he has his days!!
    & in that particular picture it wasn't his day! lmao

  • http://twitter.com/theverybest I♥TayDaniel(TeamUpNotherNotch)

    lmao i doubt a stunt double would be that close to kristen..it wasn't even her stunt double it was rob's!!
    lol i think he's lying but i guess i'll never know.

  • CC; Miami Coven's Jane

    I would tell you to ask that jack*ss stunt double, but I doubt he really has it! Lol

  • CC; Miami Coven's Jane

    He'll probably get fired after this interview.

    He doesn't deserve to be Rob's stunt double.

  • leahcyr

    err.. what? lol

  • CC; Miami Coven's Jane

    Yeah, he sounds like a total fake who just wants fame.

    I hope they fire his @ss!

  • leahcyr

    what a freak..
    no one cares about you..
    you're a stunt double..
    please go away..

  • SC~3rd_Wife

    Exactly. This guy doesn't deserve to wipe the sweat off Rob between takes. Actually, is that job still open? I'll take it!

  • SC~3rd_Wife

    LMAO *imagining Rob saying that* when he hears what this jerk is saying about him and Kristen!

  • CC; Miami Coven's Jane

    Ha! You'll have to get in line!

  • http://twitter.com/theverybest I♥TayDaniel(TeamUpNotherNotch)

    lol i know he wasn't in NM, & not eclipse? idk i didn't read the actual interview…he does sound unthankful but i'm gonna be optimistic & say it's taken out of context…i doubt it tho lol

  • uinen

    only joking lol x

  • NessiesMom

    Love yer new avi. i hope you and bigcombat saved one for me
    *off to go hunt one*

  • NessiesMom

    i'm so with you,

  • http://adayinthelifeofdollface.blogspot.com TEAM PERV

    THANK YOU!!!

    I know Rob was annoyed that they fussed too much over his hair and he insisted on a more laxed “do” for NM…but c'mon! That's not Edward hair, that's ROB hair!
    I love Rob & his gorgeous locks…but not for the role as Edward!

    ** sniffle sniffle ** mourns the loss of the Edward quaff :-( (

  • Sparks_TeamPellan

    LOL Thanks! Yes, go decorate your avi! :)

    I'd done it to my twitter one & decided to transfer it over. LOL
    All the twitter girls have done it now. It looks very festive!
    I'll bet it will catch on here too, soon!

  • Ciggy_

    lol…resemblance..not so much…la douche oh so much..wow I had to put my waders on to get through all that bullsh*t

  • Carebear274

    Ok, so yea Preston sounds like a total d-bag, but IRL he really isnt too bad. I go to U of O, and have actually had a couple of classes with him. He's a pretty big jokester, but can also be pretty quiet and to himself too.

    Yea, that was a horrible interview, and I think he was just playing off of that interviewer's emotions- the interviewer obviously is a total a$$.

    Oh, and yea he does actually look like Rob, not to a T, but every once in a while, when I would see him, I would get that little rush of adrenaline, thinking he was Rob- wouldn't that be awesome!

  • BAM6AM88

    oh the power of just being able to pick up the fone and call kristen…..hahaha

    AND YEAH> this guy sounds like a DOUCHE

  • IloveyouEdward

    lmaoo
    his day is everyday OKAI! ;p

  • http://twitter.com/theverybest I♥TayDaniel(TeamUpNotherNotch)

    lmao i 4gt what u were talkin about.
    it feels like centuries ago.
    & no it's not don't make me bring out his early modeling pics…hahaha whoo..now those were…*shakes my head*

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