The announcement of the folks who will play the wolf pack in The Twilight Saga: New Moon was one of the earliest done, and perhaps one of the most mysterious.  Compared to the other new cast members, most of these guys are virtual unknowns, or have appeared in more obscure shows and films.  But, I guess, that's what you get when you've got a crew that knows what they want--not just the big names (although surely they can afford it now), but the right ones as well.

After a couple of months, then, they have their wolf pack.  USA Today recently revealed the story behind four of the five--Chaske Spencer, Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon and Bronson Pelletier--and what they did before bagging the New Moon roles.  You probably know some of them already.  Chaske, 34, plays Sam Uley, and has appeared on stage and screen.  Alex, 24, plays shape-shifter Paul, and also has a similar credit list.  Bronson, 23, plays joker Jared, and has appeared on Canadian television.  Finally, Kiowa, 19, makes his film debut as Embry Call.


Oh, and you do know they're all Native American, right?  Chaske is Lakota Sioux, Alex is Purepecha, Bronson is Cree-Matis, and Kiowa is Hualapai.  It is, after all, a major requirement for the role.  "They had to have papers that proved their heritage," director Chris Weitz said.  "And they had to be in good physical shape."

Another requirement: they have to be able to work half-naked despite the chilly Vancouver weather.  "It's not pleasant for the actors," he said.  "But they have all been good-natured.  They show up on location in drenching, cold rain, and I say, 'OK, off with the robes.'"

The four have also bonded together in between takes.  "They went through wolf camp together, and they are in constant training," Weitz revealed.  "It paid off as a bonding thing for them and helped them to get to know one another.  They drove each other to get more buff."

But, of course, their transformation as wolves is handled by the computer imaging aspect of the movie.  As large as horses, and racing on all fours, must be hard for the four (plus Taylor Lautner, of course) to act on.  Still, there's a part of the CGI animations that comes from the actors that play them.  Take it from Weitz: "They all have the actor's eyes."



-Henrik Batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: USA Today
(Image courtesy of USA Today)