Playing lead roles in the Twilight movies and earning an Oscar nod alongside George Clooney could easily inflate someone’s ego. However, according to Lina Das, actress Anna Kendrick remains humble despite her success.
“This year has been absolutely wild. I still can’t quite wrap my head around everything,” Anna Kendrick expresses. She arrives at the West Hollywood hotel quietly, managing to escape the usual frenzy that follows her Twilight co-stars. Despite her fame, Anna is grateful for not being constantly followed. She admits that interacting with young fans can be a bit nerve-wracking, as she feels the need to watch her language. It’s like she’s visiting her grandmother!
In the Twilight films, Anna plays Bella’s best friend Jessica, adding a touch of teenage drama to the story. While her character may have some envy towards Bella, in reality, Anna’s relationship with Kristen Stewart, who plays Bella, is much warmer. They quickly became friends, and it’s surreal for Anna to see Kristen and Robert Pattinson, who plays Edward, become such huge stars. She can’t even begin to comprehend their level of fame, especially since Kristen and Rob are dating in real life.
Anna, looking youthful in a casual outfit, is talkative and humble, despite her success. Although she is most recognized for her role in Twilight, she received an Oscar nomination and won Best Breakout Star for her performance in Up in the Air. Reflecting on the whirlwind of the past year, with both Twilight and Oscar experiences, Anna describes it as “crazy.” With the release of the third Twilight film, Eclipse, things are only going to get crazier for her.
Anna starred alongside George Clooney in the film Up in the Air.
When Anna reunited with her Twilight co-stars at the MTV Movie Awards earlier this month, she couldn’t help but reflect on the challenges that Bella and Edward face in the latest installment, Eclipse. The saga’s second film, New Moon, saw the couple reunited, but now they must navigate new obstacles such as unexplained murders and a vengeful vampire threatening Bella. On top of that, Bella must once again choose between Edward’s brooding charm and Jacob’s muscular allure.
“It’s a coming-of-age film about making tough decisions,” Anna explains. “Bella is not only dealing with romantic confusion at that age but also questioning the path she wants for her future.” While having to choose between Edward and Jacob may seem like a dreamy dilemma, Anna finds it a bit strange given her close relationship with her co-stars. “I see Rob and Taylor as brothers now, so picking one of them would just feel weird. Personally, I prefer a guy who’s a bit goofier and less intimidating. They’re both great guys, but almost too perfect-looking for me.”
Robert Pattinson, or R-Patz as his fans lovingly call him, certainly has no shortage of admirers. Even mothers of R-Patz fans have fallen under his spell, much to Anna’s amusement. “The Twilight mums are a phenomenon now, and it’s not just in the UK but everywhere. It’s a harmless obsession, but also a bit strange. Maybe it’s a way for moms to bond with their daughters, which is sweet. But all it takes is one overzealous mom to disrupt that bond. I think Rob is genuinely shy and overwhelmed by the attention he receives. He’s undeniably handsome, but at the end of the day, he’s just a regular guy!”
In a world where Rob Pattinson has a legion of devoted fans, Anna remains grounded in her interactions with her co-stars and the whirlwind Twilight fandom. While the allure of Edward and Jacob may captivate audiences, Anna sees beyond the perfect facades to appreciate the genuine people behind the characters.
Anna observed the overwhelming female attention towards George Clooney during the filming of scenes for Up in the Air, directed by Jason Reitman and which won a Bafta award. She recounted how women passing by the hotel lobby would swoon over George, prompting her to humorously suggest they collect themselves and not act like monkeys. In the film, Anna portrays Natalie, a subordinate to Clooney’s character Ryan Bingham. A humorous scene in which Natalie dismisses any romantic feelings towards Bingham by calling him “old” was made even more amusing by the context of filming. Despite the playful banter with George on set, Anna acknowledges his gentlemanly demeanor and professionalism, balancing fun activities with sensitivity to her scenes.
While Clooney’s charm was not lost on anyone, Anna’s standout performance in the movie brought her numerous nominations for Best Supporting Actress in prestigious award ceremonies. She graciously accepted losing to Mo’Nique’s powerful performance in Precious, finding solace in the fact that she admired the winning performance. Reflecting on her journey from community theater in Portland, Maine, at a young age to being a Tony-nominated actress on Broadway, Anna cherishes the experience of being recognized by the Tony Awards and later attending the Oscars.
Hailing from a family with a background in the arts, Anna’s early exposure to acting and theater helped shape her career. Supported by her father while living in New York during her Broadway show, she fondly remembers the down-to-earth nature of her family amidst the sometimes intense atmosphere of showbiz families.
I am thankful for having my father around to keep me grounded. Starting my career in theatre was a great decision as it helped me develop a strong work ethic by performing eight shows a week. Working in theatre toughened me up, as opposed to the more pampered environment on a film set, and I believe it was the right way to kick off my career.
After completing my Broadway run, my father homeschooled me until I returned to school in Maine. Despite people assuming that I would return more confident after my time in New York, I remained the same shy person. Dealing with insecurities is not something that a trip to New York can easily fix.
During my teenage years, I struggled with a mix of wanting attention but also fearing it, especially from my classmates. I encountered a girl who would always twist my words or actions into something negative, which affected me deeply at the time. In a way, I may have drawn on that experience when portraying Jessica in Twilight, which turned out to be a positive outcome in the end.
Moving to Los Angeles at 18, I made my movie debut in Camp and continued to take on different roles in films like Rocket Science. I never imagined the immense success that would come with being part of the Twilight franchise. The journey has been unexpected and thrilling.
In the future, I will appear in Scott Pilgrim vs The World, directed by Edgar Wright, whom I admire for his work like Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. I have a fondness for British culture and enjoy shows like Alan Partridge and Ab Fab. Working with Wright was a great experience, as he encouraged me to explore new things on set.
While I usually keep quiet about my personal life, rumors have circulated about a possible romance with Wright. It’s the only topic I tend to avoid discussing. George Clooney once provided me with dating advice, emphasizing the importance of being with someone who doesn’t feel threatened by your success. His guidance seems fitting as my career continues to blossom.
With the release of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse approaching, it’s an exciting time for me as an actress. I am eager for what the future holds in my career.