As well he should followingNew Moons giant, record-breaking weekend, the actor is getting recognized more than ever.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Its probably been crazy for you lately, running around to premieres everywhere.
ALEX MERAZ:Yeah, it has been actually.
Meeting a lot of fans and shaking a lot of different hands.
So theres been a lot of hand sanitizer.
Were you a fan of the books before you got the role?
I didnt really know what it was.
I remember seeing these pasty hands and a red apple.
And I didnt even know what it was until after it came out and it was [successful].
And then thought, Id like to try out for the next role.
What about the movie made you want to be a part of the franchise?
The fact that its the first time you see Natives portrayed in a contemporary setting.
Its not a period piece.
You are Native American, so this is probably refreshing.
I personally was shocked when I heard that the books had a huge Native component in them.
I was just shocked that people were interested, you know what I mean?
So I thought, Wow, thats amazing.
I totally want to be part of something like that.
What did you have to do for your audition?
Did you perform a certain scene?
Well, first I went out for Sam Uley, the wolf pack leader.
You know, like a leader.
I dont have a deep voice.
So I was trying to act like something bigger.
Then luckily enough, Joseph said, Lets try this.
And he gave me one single line.
He gave me a [lede-in], Come in Bella, we wont bite.
And I had to look at the camera and say, Speak for yourself.
But the way I did it, it was so naughty.
I blew a kiss, gave a little wink.
Like, really naughty.
And it was based off of that one line that I got the role of Paul.
Just that one line, huh?
Yeah, cause, you know, I showed my acting chops, I guess.
[Laughs] It was cool.
I was really happy.
It was a very organic process.
And when I read the books, I was ecstatic.
Thats the kind of role that Id rather play.
Something more naughty and exciting.
A bad boy, you know?
Did you do anything to prepare for the role before auditioning?
I was so invested.
I worked really hard working out.
I gained 20 pounds just to do the audition.
So all of you bulked up.
I cant speak for the other guys.
But for myself, I totally did just for the audition.
Because I saw pictures of Taylor and I thought, holy crap, Ive got to beef up.
He went all out.
I wanted to look comparable.
Going into the film, you knew people were crazy about this franchise, right?
I definitely did, for sure.
I knew it was a huge phenomenon.
And then you worry, I hope they embrace me.
So if you dont match up to their ideas of who the characters are, theyll derail you.
Theyll bad-mouth you online.
It was like that with Rob [Pattinson], too.
They didnt like the way that Rob looked.
They wont be imagining anything else.
Theyre going to see what is there.
Because thats what happened withTwilight.
Did fans criticize you at first?
I read a couple of things.
The first month, you obsessively go online and Google yourself.
And [director] Chris Weitz, he gave us a bit of advice.
He said, Alright, Ive got to say this.
Google yourself, but then stop.
The first month, I did it, and I got a lot of good response.
Then I started getting other ones that were just wild.
Like, He totally shouldnt be Paul.
He doesnt look like Paul.
He looks like too much of a nice guy.
Well, thats not too bad.
You look like a nice guy!
Well, I just thought, Its called acting, sweetie.
Thats when you start talking back to your gear, and youre like, wait a minute.
What kind of fan interactions have you had at this point?
Its been really great.
Im just always grateful when I meet fans.
The premiere was Monday, and Friday was the first night people started coming out.
So I went out there and met with some of the fans that were camping out.
Because its always nice to see something like that.
They must have been psyched to see you.
Its funny, because I joked around with a fan who was shocked that I was there.
Like, What are you doing here?
I said, I dont know!
I went around the corner to get some milk, and I ended up running into this!
But it was cool.
I took my time to sign autographs.
Im just very grateful and excited that the fans are there.
Its a built-in fanbase.
Its a hot skillet were walking into.
And now that the movies set box-office records, even more people are going to start recognizing you.
Ive already been experiencing it.
I go out to get something, and you hear people whispering.
Is that going to get old?
I forget that Im in a big movie.
So you just finished filmingEclipse.
We dont know whenBreaking Dawnis going to happen.
Its been a crazy month and a half of doing promotion for this movie.
And Im thinking, well, we still have the next one to do.
I dont really want to know aboutBreaking Dawnright now.
Im just taking one movie at a time.
Whats next for you after the saga ends?
Before I gotNew Moon, Id fight to get auditions.
Now I have so many coming my way.
Im happy about that.
I actually want to do an action film.
I used to be one of those guys that wanted to do wordy actor-y kind of movies.
Because my background is in martial arts.
So that means youre going to have to stay bulked up.
Ill never be able to keep my shirt on.
Photo Credit: Kimberley French
