Robert Pattinson, who stars in Twilight as hunky vampire Edward Cullen, has found himself the object of increasing fan fervor as the film made its way to theaters. USA TODAY caught up with Pattinson and tossed him a few questions, some of them from fans of the book series.

Question: Did you have any concerns about not living up to fan expectations of what Edward is like?

Answer: I never saw it as a vampire. I saw it as a guy with something in him that makes him terrified of commitment. He is extremely passionate and has very little self-control. He is with a girl he can't have a physical relationship with and she keeps tempting him.

Q: Did you study up on any old vampire movies for inspiration?

A: I've seen a few, but I'm not really a fan. I saw the original "Nosferatu," but he definitely isn't dating material. My kind of preparation was not to talk to anyone for a long time. Edward would be so bored with any kind of human interaction. He would not feel like he was part of the human world and doesn't care about other people's reactions.

Q: You and Kristen Stewart, who plays love interest Bella, have said you watched" Last Tango in Paris" as homework. Any other films put you in the mood for" Twilight"?

A: With "Tango," it is about a girl who doesn't fully realize the consequences of her decision. It is the dark side of the coin. I also watched Ang Lee's "Lust, Caution" and (Hitchcock's) "Notorious." And a lot of Japanese films. They are a lot more about stillness, proximity rather than following through. It is what happens before a sex scene.

Q: Are you hoping that there will be a movie of" New Moon," the" next book in the series?

A: I like the second book a lot. In the second one, Edward is a very different character. I'm looking forward to showing the difference in his physicality as I let my discipline and control go.

Q: What is all this talk about you not washing your hair for months on end?

A: People are scared of my hair. But it starts washing itself after about three weeks. I'm just saying that. But, yeah, if it doesn't look dirty, why wash it?

Q: If you became a vampire for real, what age would you like to be frozen?

A: Maybe 35. People who are frozen at 17, everyone treats you like you are 17 all the time. At 35, you are between old and young.

Q: Would you like to be able to hear people's thoughts, like Edward?

A: Not at all.