Jackson: I Want To Make Momma Happy!

Listen up, Team Jasper!

Our friend Heidi Bennett from the Official Twilight Fan Page was in Nashville, Tennessee for NewCon 2009 and got to meet Jackson Rathbone in person! Even cooler: He sat down for a Q&A, answering questions about the infamous “paper cut” scene from New Moon, his first kiss, his band 100 Monkeys and what his plans are for the future (hint: it involves little vampires running around).

Q: How did you get started in acting?

Jackson: I started in Texas around the age of 13 or 14. My sisters were doing theater and my parents threw me into theater because they felt like I was a loner. I started out backstage building sets and noticed all that all pretty girls were on stage! The stage is where I got my first kiss! I moved to LA when he was 18 and started auditioning for roles.

Q: What is your favorite role and why?

Jackson: It fluctuates from year to year, but Russ from Girlfriend is my favorite right now. At first didn't want to do this movie but I worked with the screenwriter to change the character. 100 Monkeys will be on the soundtrack for this movie. There were moments in filming Girlfriend that brought me to tears; role is very deep, challenging but fun.

Q: Your role in New Moon isn't the biggest but Jasper’s actions start the whole downward spiral of Edward & Bella, how much pressure did that put on you?

Jackson: To play the catalyst for an entire film is nerve racking. It was scary, and I wasn't sure how it was going to work. There was a point in the birthday scene where my eyes were supposed to turn black. When [Stephenie] Meyer saw the scene, she stated it wouldn't be accurate so it got scrapped. It was very nice to film Eclipse. I LOVE the back story of Jasper.

Q: What's your process for memorizing lines?

Jackson: I was terrible at studying in school but great a cramming. I did a low budget film right after filming Twilight called The Days (where I meet Uncle Larry). We filmed this movie in two days in front of a green screen. Had to learn all this dialogue, huge speeches, 35 pages worth — it just comes natural.

Q: Who is your favorite actor/actress?

Jackson: Right now I am really enjoying Robert Downey Jr.: he makes things look effortless. I also liked River Phoenix: he had heart and soul. I believe he is better than James Dean. I also like Jack Nicholson.

Q: How was your experience with The Last Airbender?

Jackson: I auditioned for over a year for the role of Prince Zuko. I went in for reading with Night [M. Night Shyamalan]. Night said that the reading was too dark so I offered to read another character to show Night that I could do both sides of the character. I read the part of Sokka and I had fun reading this part. After I was done Night told me that he was going to Sokka instead of Prince Zuko. At first I said "no" because I really wanted Zuko. I had two months of Kung Fu training and we trained on off days, but I cannot kick to save my life. I can maybe fight a baby with my kicks.

Q: What are your other dreams?

Jackson: Hopefully one day find a nice girl, buy a house and have some kids. Make my momma happy.