Mr. Nice Guy, he’s not. If anything, 29-year-old actor Cam Gigandet has cultivated quite a reputation for playing bad guys, and he prefers it that way. The star of “Twilight” and “Priest” makes his next appearance with “Trespass,” a home-invasion thriller that pits his character and two other accomplices against a rich couple (played by Nicole Kidman and Nicholas Cage) whose house they hope to rob for millions. Gigandet explained why playing the bad guy is so satisfying for him.
In this film, as in many others, you end up playing the bad guy. Why do you always get these parts?
I enjoy it the most. I think there just seems to be more to grab onto, I guess. You can use your imagination a little bit more — whereas if they’re a good guy or heroes, they have to abide by a strict set of rules and to this day I haven’t been able to figure out how to work around those. Maybe just because I don’t know how to do it. There seems to be more creativity and imagination involved in justifying what they do. And yeah, that’s what people hire me for, so I’ll take what I can get.
What are the key differences from playing, say, an evil vampire in “Twilight” and a desperate robber in “Trespass”?
I prefer “Trespass” and I had a good time on “Twilight.” We were all so new and young to the experience. Even our director at the time [Catherine Hardwicke] was new to directing, so it was a little haphazard how we shot. And having 12 young actors, trying to corral everyone. A lot of the time was spent doing that, whereas on “Trespass,” before we even started shooting, there were two or three weeks where we literally rehearsed every single day. To be able to do that is any actor’s dream.
While rehearsing, did anyone have their own stories about having their house robbed?
Everyone would share their stories, just while we were rehearsing, and when you talk to everyone, surprisingly a lot of people have had this happen. Even — not that this is a normal one — but I think Nicolas Cage had someone end up in his bedroom when he was sleeping and they were naked or had a popsicle. I haven’t gotten to that place yet, but I think I’m protected enough with my mace and baseball bat.
Is your co-star Nicolas Cage as crazy as everyone says he is?
Yes and yes. I’ll be honest. I was warned before working with him by a few people that he’s very difficult and crazy and this and that and he is crazy but in such a good way. I don’t know if it’s crazy so much as quirkiness. He’s just out there and outgoing and funnier than I could’ve imagined. I think he’s a little misunderstood. He definitely has a good sense of humor — an odd one, but a good one.
