LAURENT A.K.A EDI GATHEGI!!!!!!

Twilighters Anonymous Podcast Interview with Edi Gathegi



Twilighters Anonymous: We are all big fans of house, and you were able to be on that show in Season 4, and you played Cole. What was it like to work on that set with all those amazing actors?

Edi Gathegi: Well it is arguably one of my favorite jobs I've had. Among the top. For the people who haven't watched it, the premise was that there were five new interns that were interviewing for a job at the hospital, so the five of us, the five actors had a series regular contract option and we didn't know which three of the five were going to get picked up as series regulars. So from episode to episode the five of us didn't know if we were going to last. So that kind of environment breeds competition. But miraculously, all of us, we got along so well and we all had similar personalities and similar senses of humor and we kind of just genuinely appreciated each other as human beings and as artists so there wasn't that competition at all. I mean, towards the end, when crunch time came, I remember having a conversation with Peter (Jacobson) and we both said, 'Listen, I would not be upset if I didn't get picked up and you got picked up,' because that was just how wonderful it was to work there. So, I miss everyone on the show, it was fantastic. I think everything happens for a reason, the way it is supposed to. And if I had not gotten let go from House, I wouldn't have gotten Twilight.

TA: Exactly.

EG: There's a yin and a yang.

TA: So, we've heard that you didn't really like vampire stories. So what drew you to this project?

EG: Well, the casting director is a casting director whom I admire and respect and she is one of my favorite casting directors in the industry and she has actually put me in several projects. And when I found out she was casting a movie I didn't even know what it was about but I wanted to be seen for it, because we have that kind of relationship. So I went into my managers office and I asked him to submit me and then I received an audition. But, when I looked at the material, Laurent was saying stuff like 'What is your hunting range?' and it was all very bizarre jargon and I wasn't convinced that I even wanted to go in on the appointment. But I took the meeting anyway, and Catherine (Hardwick) was in the room. And she just had the most wonderful spirit, energy. She was very eager to work and I just had a blast. I was like, I don't even know what this is but I want to work with that director. So, I didn't hear from the production team for months, I went off and did other things. And when I got back home, I heard that I was up for the part. So, I read the books to find out what I was getting myself into. And, it just so happens to be a vampire story. But, more importantly, it is a romance story. So, I wanted to be a part of a story that just wasn't about blood and the dark side and fangs and all that, but had some sort of heart. And I think that is what Twilight is. And that's ultimately why I wanted to be a part of it when I was up for the part.

TA: So, you play Laurent, who is a Nomad vampire and he didn't have a lot of back story and we have heard that you created one, so can you tell us a little bit about the back story?

EG: There is a historical figure that not many people are aware of. His name is Saint George. He was a renowned fencer and he was an African American French man. He was a renowned fencer, lover, general, he was a renascence man. And, I decided that Laurent in all his regalness and taste might have been a contemporary of that gentleman. I played around with having him be that gentleman but that was going a little too far. So I just sort of did a little bit of research on Saint George and kind of modeled some of my choices after him but like you said there is not so much character background so I had to make a lot up, just for fun. Ultimately, a lot of it won't make it in the movie or won't even be helpful but it's sort of fun, just to so that. It's one of the joys of acting, playing the detective and figuring out who your character is.

TA: So we have heard a lot of stuff about special effects and we have heard a lot about the magic carpet. Can you tell us other stuff you did while on set?

EG: I was a little bit disappointed, and I say that because I really, really wanted to do some crazy stunts. I wanted to fly all over the place, I wanted to do silly stuff and I didn't get to do too much of that, because they sort of worked around not needing to have the need to get into the wire works and that sort of thing, which I totally understand. Me personally, I think my stunt double is in a lot of the shots, except for the magic carpet, and I think he does a great job. I think they got a stunt double who looks like me so you guys won't go, 'Hey!'

TA: We want to talk to you about the makeup. A lot of the Cullens and the vampires had to go through a lot of make up and costume. Can you tell us about the make up and costume that you had to go through to get vamped and become Laurent?

EG: I'll start with the piece that was the most frustrating. The eyes… I had to learn how to put on contacts. I have never worn contacts in my life so this was difficult for me to be touching my eyeballs. But we had to go through a contact lens fitting a few weeks before we shot and then we had to wear them everyday and increase the number of hours we wore them everyday so we could get comfortable with them. And even for those who had worn contacts, these were very specialized contacts, they were thicker, so they took some getting used to. So, when I finally got to location I had been wearing them for a while so it was easier, but, you'd put the contacts in and it was just your normal hair and make up. Then they would wig you up. I wore a wig that was incorporated into my hair. It was funny, the first time I took the wig off, there were some extras in the trailer and they were like 'Woah! That's not your real hair?' Cause a lot of it was my real hair, but a lot if it wasn't. It was very convincing I think.

TA: What was it like working with such an amazing, well rounded cast? Did you happen to make any new friends?

EG: Did I happen to make any new friends? They're all my friends! I got a family, I got a Twilight family. Everybody was awesome and we see each other a lot actually. I think I have seen this cast more frequently after wrapping the film than any other project that I have done. And a lot of it has to do with the fact that these fans are really making this into something spectacular and phenomenal. So, we have promotions to go to and a lot of events that we are at together. So, you know Jackson (Rathbone) is a good friend; Peter Facinelli; Kellan (Lutz) is great. I am actually friends with a lot of the producers too. I see them out and about. I am going to see a lot of them, Catherine included tonight.

TA: Oh, well be sure to say, 'Hi' for us.
EG: I will.

TA: We are actually from Portland, OR so we were able to visit the sets a few times. But, what was your favorite moment filming in Portland?

EG: I am sure there are a lot of them. We shot back in March, which was a while ago. It's hard for me to dredge up that many months ago. But, right off the top, I think the day that I was done walking in the forest cause I didn't have a shirt on. (laughs) The day we were done with that shot, Rachelle (Lefevre) and I went a gorged the hell on donuts and everything sugary we could get our hands on. That was my favorite day.

TA: We have read that you finished Breaking Dawn in two days, which is a feat in and of itself, but, because of all the controversy surrounding it, what did you really think of Breaking Dawn? Are you for, against, in the middle?

EG: I am absolutely for it. I had my questions furring reading it. There were certain things I didn't agree with and didn't make sense to me, quite honestly. But then of course I am going to finish the book, I'm such a fan that I have to see it through. You can't watch five minuets of the movie and then review it. You have to watch the entire thing. You have to read the entire book. So, when I reached the end I realized why those things were in there in the way that they were and it totally makes sense and that is why I am for Breaking Dawn.

TA: So, we have seen the power of Twilight fans. We visited Comic-Con, that little shindig. Could you tell us about any crazy fan experiences you have had since being a part of this project?

EG: Well, Comic-Con was one of the first times that a lot of the cast understood the significance of this movie and how it resonates with the people out there. You know, 6500 people in the auditorium and the autograph signings. That was the first taste of it. And then after that, for me, it sort of disappeared. But then I went to, very recently, a premier of the movie called Sex Drive, that Summit also distributed and it was a premier for a completely different movie but there were fans waiting out there with Twilight posters and they knew who I was and they were yelling my name. And I was like, 'Okay, this is real. This is huge and people are fans and they are eager,' and its pandemonium.

TA: So, you play so many different roles in movies and TV, what is your favorite kind of role? The Villain? The Good Guy?

EG: The villains are fuuunnn… it is so fun to play the bad guy. It is also fun to play everything else in between. Give me a well written role and I would love to play it. I like to stretch myself, however that is possible, I like to take a stab at it.

TA: So, we have heard a lot about these pranks that you have pulled, that you are kind of the prankster, and we were wondering if you could tell us about the pranks that you pulled on set?

EG: I think everyone has heard this one before. The Jackson Rathbone hair dyeing story… have you guys heard that one?

TA: No…

EG: Yeah you have…

TA: No we haven't… We haven't heard it from you.

EG: You haven't heard it from me. Well I haven't actually, I don't think I have said it too many times because I felt like maybe I would be getting people in trouble, but Jackson has been talking about it, so I feel like maybe that gives me permission to talk about it…

TA: Oh, go for it! Don't hold back with us.

EG: You know that I would call Jackson and other cast members, assuming different characters on the phone when I was in Portland. And one time I called Jackson under the guise of Kelly, one of the production assistants, with his call time for the morning, and I gave him a ridiculously early call time like, 'your call time is 3:30(am),' and it was probably midnight at the time. Ya know, give him three hours of sleep. And he was a little shocked, like 'wow, that's really early…' so I said, 'ya know, it's because Catherine doesn't like the way that your hair looks, your dyed hair. So we are going to use that time in the morning to re-dye your hair to its natural color.' And he was like, 'cool. Cool.' And I was like, 'don't shoot the messenger, please. I'm just calling you because I have to, but we would really appreciate you showing up at 3:30.' So, I call him back about five minutes later because I can't take it and I feel like maybe he is believing the story. And I call him and I tell him, 'look man, it's me. It wasn't Kelly.' And He goes, 'What?!? I just got off the phone with my manager and I told her that they are re-dyeing my hair back to its natural color and she goes, 'thank god! I thought it was hideous!' and that is no longer happening.' So I think his agent had to backpedal after that.

TA: Can we hear an impression of Kelly?

EG: *girls voice* Um… Hello?

TA: Oh my god!

EG: This is Kelly *giggles* Hi!

TA: That is amazing! That is Oscar worthy!

TA: So, another question. November 21, coming up fast. Do you have any plans of how you are going to spend that night? Are you going to go surprise some fans in theaters? Have Laurent show up?

EG: You never know, you never know… I was really tempted to show up at a Barnes and Nobles for Breaking Dawn. At the last minute I decided not to. But, I think that might be fun to show up in a theater, incognito. See the fans real reactions.

TA: If you had to choose a special power, like how Edward, Alice and Jasper have powers, what would you want your power to be?

EG: So there is mind reading, future seeing and there's calming… I only have the option of the three?

TA: No, you can make up your power.

EG: I can make up my power…What are some of the Volturi powers?

TA: They can torture people… Jane can inflict pain.

EG: Nah, that's not useful for me.

TA: *Laughs*

EG: Are you asking me as Edi or as Laurent?

TA: Both.

EG: I think Laurent would want the most vicious power just so he doesn't have to defer to anyone else, so he gets to roll solo, nomadic. He can get into his own adventures. I think he would want the pain power. But I think that me, I don't know about the mind one… I sort of want Edward's but that just might be annoying. Right? Hearing everyone's thoughts whether you want to or not. Future! I would get the future and I would see what the Stock Market looks like.

TA: There you go!

EG: I could have stepped in there and really helped this country.

TA: You can still do it. I believe in you… So, what is coming up next for you, post Twilight? Any new movies in the works?

EG: Yah, I shot a little indie in Mexico over the summer called This Is Not A Movie. And I don't when that comes out, it should come out at some point next year, I don't know on what scale it is going to be, independent or wide release. And I have a film called My Bloody Valentine, that's January 16. And it is a 1980s horror movie remake and it is in 3D, that's the cool part. Some of the most fun I have ever had in a movie theater was watching Beowulf in 3D

TA: That was amazing.

EG: It was outstanding. When this project came on my table, I said. 'I want to be in a 3D movie. I don't even care what it is.' I also have to put this out there: I'm also not a horror movie kind of guy, because it's not plausible and it's unrealistic. But this story is a real story about real people and it's totally believable, so I think the director (Patrick Lussier), he edited the Red Eye film which I thought was a successful suspense film and he edited all the Scream movies which I think brought horror back. So he is a master of suspense and horror and he directed and edited this film. Great Script. 3D. You just can't lose.

TA: We will be there. Now, you say your music choices come in waves. So what is your current music wave?

EG: Um, you know I just lost my iPod… a little while ago… and I am in a state of depression right now. So, I don't have any music I am listening to right now, I need to get a new iPod and get all the old songs. So, right now I'm listening to… I can't even say this because I am going to get ridiculed for this…

TA: You're with friends, don't worry.

EG: I'm with friends huh… No, you know what, I'm not even gonna say it. Not gonna say it.
TA: Come on!

EG: The song I listen to is not going to be uttered off my lips.

TA: It's Katy Perry, right? "I Kissed a Girl"?

EG: I kissed a girl? Nah, I wouldn't be ashamed of that one.

TA: Is it from High School Musical?

EG: Noooo it's not. But you know what, let's just go ahead and move this one along.

TA: *laughs* Also, in an interview, you said that you were single but your horoscope said not for long. The ladies of the Twilight Nation need to know Edi, are you still single?

EG: I am…

TA: Yes! I mean…

EG: But, not for long… That's what I'll be saying five years from now, 'I am... but not for long!"

TA: Well, that's all the questions we have for you. Thank you so much for talking with us! One last thing, can we get you to do our intro?

EG: Yes, of course, how does it go?

TA: You'll say "Hi, my name is Edi Gathegi and I've been dazzled by Twilighters Anonymous Podcast."

EG: And I have been dazzled!

TA: Thank you so much Edi!


We'd like to once again thank Mike Liota from TRUE Public Relations for helping us acquire this interview and Edi Gathegi for taking time out of his day to talk with us.





That was such a fun interview!! Be sure to listen to episode 24 for the actual recording!! His impression of Kelly is not something to be missed!!! :D

-TA