So that's why Robert Pattinson missed UK Twilight: Eclipse premiere... he was too busy working

By Mail Online Reporter

Missing out: Robert Pattinson in his Twenties suit filming Water For Elephants in Los Angeles yesterday


As thousands of 'Twi-hards' descended on London's Leicester Square last night for the UK premiere of Twilight Saga: Eclipse, there were several big names conspicuously absent.

The film franchise's main actors Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner... and perhaps the most controversial absentee of all, Robert Pattinson, were all missing from the red carpet.

Despite being the ensemble cast's only Londoner, the 24-year-old was unable to leave the Los Angeles set of Water For Elephants.

So while disappointed Pattinson fans had to contend themselves with other Twilight eye candy Kellan Lutz and Alex Meraz, the actor himself was thousands of miles away making his new movie.

In contrast to his pasty, big-haired vampire Edward Cullen in the Twilight films, the actor was looked dapper in a Twenties-style suit with his shorter haircut swept to the side.

Also on location in downtown LA was his co-star Reece Witherspoon, who was dressed to the nine in a red dress and a curly blonde bob.


Glamorous: Reece Witherspoon plays circus performer Marlena


So while Pattinson was working, his lesser-known Twilight co-stars Ashley Greene and Nikki Reed were holding the fort in London.

While Pattinson's absence from the UK premiere has been public knowledge for several weeks, some fans expressed their disappointment over his no-show through T-shirts and signs.

Some fans queuing all day ahead of Thursday's premiere made their feelings clear with T-shirts reading 'Robbed' at the prospect of not seeing their idol in person.

Instead Pattinson, his real-life girlfriend Stewart and Lautner sent video messages to fans.


Disappointed: Four Pattinson fans waiting for the Twilight: Eclipse London premiere make their feelings known


The actor's new film is a romance set in the Great Depression, adapted from Sara Gruen's novel of the same name, and stars Rob as Jacob, an orphaned veterinary student who is put in charge of a circus.

A love story develops between Jacob and Witherspoon's character Marlena.

The two stars have worked together once before, with Pattinson playing Witherspoon’s son in the 2004 film Vanity Fair.

Describing their previous working relationship, the actress previously said: 'I remember he was verrrrry [sic] handsome! I was like, "I have a really handsome son!" I had to sob and cry all over him, but he was great.'


Meanwhile in London: (L-R) Alex Meraz, Booboo Stewart, Nikki Reed, director David Slade, Kellan Lutz, Ashley Greene and Xavier Samuel at the UK premiere


source: dailymail