Photo by Summit EntertainmentThe books in Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series are full of rich characters, lush settings, teenage romance and vampire angst. And now that world is coming to life in a big-screen adaptation. So if you haven't read the novel, we have put together a guide to the characters both living and undead so you'll be ready to see the flick. And if you have read the book, we've also included exclusive comments from director Catherine Hardwicke on how they brought the world of "Twilight" to life.

Photo by Deana Newcomb/SummitEDWARD (Robert Pattinson):
Full Name: Edward Anthony Masen Cullen
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: June 20, 1901
Date of Transformation: 1918
Special Abilities: Mind reading, Super-speed, Extraordinary strength

"What if I'm not a superhero? What if I'm the bad guy?"

Photo by Deana Newcomb/SummitDirector Catherine Hardwicke on "Edward" --
Casting and creating this role on film was the supreme challenge of the film. We had to find the "most handsome man in the world" -- the object of every female reader's affection -- and he had to be a nuanced, soulful actor with pale skin AND able to pass for a high school student. Even with all these requirements, after an extensive search, we found four candidates. Then came the real test: chemistry with Kristen Stewart. Robert flew over from London for the "chemistry test," and when he and Kristen did a series of scenes together you could really feel their connection It was electric.

Photo by Summit Entertainment, Everett CollectionRobert tackled his role with gusto: he trained 4-5 hours a day to build up his strength. He learned 'American' things like driving a car and playing baseball. And he worked intensely on his character -- writing journals, notes, rehearsing, and writing long letter to his "father," Dr. Cullen, exploring the anguish that Edward feels.

Photo by Summit, Everett CollectionBELLA (Kristen Stewart):
Full Name: Isabella Marie Swan
Status: Human
Date of Birth: September 13, 1987
Special Abilities: Accident prone, Attracts bad luck, Immune to mind reading

"About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was part of him... that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him."

Photo by Deana Newcomb/Summit, Everett CollectionCatherine Hardwicke on "Bella" --
Every female reader sees Bella as herself. We had to find a young actress that could be everyone's Bella: someone vulnerable and expressive, yet tough -- almost fearless. When I saw Kristen Stewart in "Into the Wild," she reached off the screen and pulled me into her world of yearning and desire. After flying to Pittsburgh with an actor and rehearsing several scenes with her (on her Sunday off from shooting another film), I felt confident that she would be the most perfect Bella. And she was seventeen -- exactly Bella's age. No faking it.

Photo by Deana Newcomb/SummitJACOB (Taylor Lautner):
Full Name: Jacob Black
Status: Human Quileute
Date of Birth: 1990
Special Abilities: Fixing cars

"So do you think we're a bunch of superstitious natives or what?"

Photo by Deana Newcomb/Summit, Everett CollectionCatherine Hardwicke on "Jacob" --
Jacob is a beloved character, with legions of "Team Jacob" fans around the world. We had to get it right. When Taylor Lautner got the part, he started studying up on his own Native American heritage and meeting with members of the real Pacific Northwestern Quileute tribe. He learned about their culture and traditions and the way they live today on the Quileute 'rez' along the stunning Washington coast. He's a skilled martial artist and excellent athlete, and hopefully in future installments, he'll get to use more of his skills as he transforms into a werewolf and hunts and fights.

Photo by Peter Sorel/SummitCARLISLE (Peter Facinelli):
Full Name: Dr. Carlisle Cullen
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: 1640s
Date of Transformation: After 1663
Special Abilities: Compassion and the ability to resist the thirst for human blood

"Please don't take offense, but we'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from hunting in this immediate area. We have to stay inconspicuous, you understand."

ESME (Elizabeth Reaser):
Full Name: Esme Anne Platt Evenson Cullen
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: 1895
Date of Transformation: 1921
Special Abilities: Loves passionately

"You're what he wants. It will all work out, somehow."

Photo by Peter Sorel/Summit, Everett CollectionROSALIE (Nikki Reed):
Full Name: Rosalie Lillian Hale
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: 1915
Date of Transformation: 1933
Special Abilities: Beauty

"What is she to me? Except a menace -- a danger you've chosen to inflict on all of us."

EMMETT (Kellan Lutz):
Full Name: Emmett McCarty Cullen
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: 1915
Date of Transformation: 1935
Special Abilities: Strength

"He's no match for us, Edward. He won't be able to touch her."

Photo by Peter Sorel/SummitJASPER (Jackson Rathbone):
Full Name: Jasper Whitlock Hale
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: 1843
Date of Transformation: 1863
Special Abilities: Able to feel and to manipulate the emotions of those around him.

"I can feel what you're feeling now -- and you are worth it."

ALICE (Ashley Greene):
Full Name: Mary Alice Brandon Cullen
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: Around 1901
Date of Transformation: 1920s
Special Abilities: Can see the future

"Some things are more certain than others..."

Photo by Deana Newcomb/SummitCatherine Hardwick on "The Cullens" --
Stephenie Meyer created very specific histories and characteristics for each of the Cullen clan. Each of these complex backstories and special "skills" or "powers" gave the actors a great jumping off point. They each read all the details and descriptions in the books and asked Stephenie for more information about their characters. They spent a lot of time together at rehearsals, baseball practice, dinners, and hanging out around Portland -- they started to bond and become a family.

Photo by Deana Newcomb/SummitOne of the most difficult things that Stephenie did was include very specific physical characteristics in her novels -- long blond hair, old-fashioned screen star style, etc. -- even exact heights down to the inch. I would meet a wonderful actor that really seemed to fit the part and then I'd have to ask: "Are you willing to dye your hair? And wear contacts?" etc. Every one of the Cullens (except Emmett -- Kellan Lutz) had to undergo a pretty drastic physical alteration to match the book description. It might take a bit longer in the makeup chair in the morning, but sometimes a complete transformation like that really helps an actor to get into his character.

Photo by Peter Sorel/SummitJAMES (Cam Gigandet):
Full Name: Unknown
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth/Transformation: Unknown
Special Abilities: Tracker, Super-speed, Extraordinary strength

"I never will understand the obsession some vampires seem to form with you humans."

Photo by Peter Sorel/SummitLAURENT (Edi Gathegi):
Full Name: Laurent
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth: Around 1755
Date of Transformation: Unknown

"It appears we have a lot to learn about each other."

Photo by Summit Entertainment, Everett CollectionVICTORIA (Rachelle Lefevre):
Full Name: Victoria
Status: Vampire
Date of Birth/Transformation: Unknown
Special Abilities: Skilled at escaping

"I'm the one with the wicked curve ball."

Photo by Summit EntertainmentCatherine Hardwicke on "The Nomads" --
These characters are much more loosely defined in the novels -- so we had a little more freedom to find the perfect actor for each part. Cam Gigandet (James) is easy on the eyes, but he's also a fantastic athlete. He is able to play any sport and perform every stunt in a very convincing, powerful way. He was a natural for James -- charming, twisted, and capable of great cruelty. Rachelle Lefevre knocked me out when she auditioned for Victoria. We had made an offer already to another actor, but Rachelle came in and climbed on the chair and hissed her way into the part. She is sexy, she's fierce, she's a predator!

Photo by Peter Sorel/Summit, Everett CollectionEdi Gathegi (Laurent) has an incredible screen presence -- a quietdignity and intensity. He\'s a very experienced, talented actor, so I was pleasantly surprised that he had a killer abs and wanted to show them off in the film! When we got the three Nomadic Vampires together, they were a formidable team. We imagined that they would snag clothes from their victims -- James wears Waylon\'s leather vest in the following scene, for example, and also sports a collection of wedding rings from his victims. These Vampires aren\'t "bad," they just do what comes naturally: drink human blood.

Photo by Summit EntertainmentCatherine Hardwick on "Forks, Washington" --
One of the first things I did upon tackling "Twilight" was travel to Forks. The locals welcomed us graciously and gave us a great tour of the local rainforests, the logging areas, the rivers and lakes, and of course, the town. I fell in love with the local diner and its cast of colorful loggers and hunters and waitresses. I sent photographs back to Melissa Rosenberg, our screenwriter, saying "we have to set some scenes in here." The Forks High School principal was a great tour guide, showing us the classic brick facade of the school and the library (with the Twilight book display!).

Photo by SummitForks is fairly remote, without a film crew nearby, so we ended up filming around Portland, Oregon and in more southern Washington towns. We recreated the spirit of Forks and Port Angeles in Veronia and St. Helens, and the Forks Chamber of Commerce, the Police Department, and the Forks High School helped us out with logos, year books, newspapers, etc.

Photo by Deana Newcomb/SummitVampires According to 'Twilight' --
1) Vampires do not have fangs.
2) Vampires have pale skin.
3) Vampires are more beautiful than humans.
4) Vampire skin, when in sunlight, sparkles and throws rainbows, like a diamond.
5) Vampire skin is hard like a diamond; they cannot be shot, stabbed or "staked"
6) Vampires are superhuman in their speed, strength, ability, coordination, and all senses.
7) Vampires can only be destroyed by tearing them into pieces and burning the ashes -- which can only be done by a vampire or werewolf.

Photo by Deana Newcomb/Summit, Everett Collection8) Vampires only need to feed twice a month to be in control of their thirst.
9) Vampire eyes change based on how much blood they have consumed recently. Black: Thirsty. Red: Well-fed on human blood. Gold: Well-fed on animal blood. As they become thirstier, the color fades to black.
10) Vampires have circles under their eyes that get darker as they get thirstier. When they are well fed, the circles are almost erased.
11) Vampires are invulnerable to traditional methods of killing them such as garlic, crosses, holy water, stakes, etc.
12) Some vampires have supernatural abilities; Edward reads minds, Alice sees the future, and Jasper controls emotional climates.
13) Vampires dress in light colors to deemphasize their pallor.
14) Vampires do not eat human food -- if they do, it must be vomited up later.

Photo by Summit, Everett CollectionMore Character Facts --
1) The Cullens are comprised of Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, Edward, Alice, Rosalie, and Jasper.
2) Rosalie and Jasper are considered part of the Cullen clan but their official last name is Hale.
3) The Cullens are good vampires and represent light in the series. Their home reflects not only their reclusive natures, but also that they choose to surround themselves with light. The Cullens choose to live in places like Forks because they like weather that allows them to be outdoors during the daytime.
4) Carlisle is a doctor, and all the Cullen children attend Forks High School.
5) Bella and Edward are both juniors in high school. They are both seventeen. Neither has ever been in love.
6) Bella's father Charlie is the Chief of Police in Forks, Washington.
7) Jacob Black plays a small part in the 'Twilight' story but will become an important person later on in the series.