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TORONTO - The massively popular "Twilight" saga has been a literary smash, a theatrical blockbuster, and a DVD hot-seller, but its busy life on the convention circuit is what has caught Canadian actor Cameron Bright by surprise.
The 17-year-old plays the Volturi vampire Alec, and says the cast keeps busy between instalments by appearing at fan expos around the world.
"It's definitely opened doors in (terms) of comic conventions and Twilight conventions and really getting to travel around and meet my fans," the affable Bright says of the film's impact on his career.
"I love meeting my fans, I love going to the Twilight conventions."
Bright said he had his eye on upcoming vamp-fests in Vancouver, Phoenix, Mexico and England, but wasn't sure whether he'd be able to make them.
The upcoming Vancouver convention, set for May 14 to 16, is set to include meet-and-greets with actors Kellan Lutz (Emmett Cullen), Bronson Pelletier (Jared), Kiowa Gordon (Embry), and director Catherine Hardwicke. It will also include a "Vampire Ball" and vampire makeovers.
It comes as anticipation mounts over the summer release of "Eclipse," the third film in the franchise based on Stephenie Meyer's book series.
Bright wouldn't reveal what's in store for "Eclipse," but did say he gets a bit more screen time than the brief appearance he made towards the end of last summer's "New Moon."
The film will mark the debut of Bryce Dallas Howard as the villainous vampire Victoria. Howard assumes the role after Montreal's Rachelle Lefevre, who played Victoria in the first two films, was forced to drop out in a well-publicized dispute over scheduling.
Bright said he never met Lefevre, but did meet Howard when they took publicity photos for "Eclipse." He sympathized with the difficulty in taking over a role that had already been established by another actor.
"It'd be kind of weird because you'd have to make sure you did the right job but obviously, if they picked her then ... they picked her for a reason, right?" Cameron said by phone from his home on Vancouver Island.
Fans who can't wait for the summer release can stave their cravings with the "New Moon" DVD, set for release Friday at midnight.
Most Future Shop stores across the country will be hosting "Midnight Madness" events to mark the release, with Bright scheduled to appear at a Vancouver outlet to meet eager fans.
The two-disc package includes an hour-long documentary on the making of the film, featuring interviews with stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.
Revelations include the fact that a birthday scene for Bella was shot on Stewart's actual birthday and that mosquitoes nearly ruined a forest scene by repeatedly landing on Pattinson, who obviously didn't fool insects with his portrayal of a bloodless Edward.
The extras include on-set chats with Lefevre, who spoke of the massive impact the franchise has had on her life.
"On the one hand, my life is totally the same, like I still just hang out at home, only now there's a Twilight world," said Lefevre, whose departure from the series elicited intense fan outcry.
"Then, your whole life is different - you go out to run an errand and you find yourself signing autographs and that of course didn't happen before."
"New Moon" will be available as a two-disc special edition DVD and on Blu-ray.
