Robert Pattinson, who stars in "Twilight" as hunky vampire Edward Cullen, has found himself the object of increasing fan fervor as the film made its way to theaters. USA Today caught up with Pattinson and tossed him a few questions, some of them from fans of the book series.

Question: Did you have any concerns about not living up to fan expectations of what Edward is like?

Answer: I never saw it as a vampire. I saw it as a guy with something in him that makes him terrified of commitment. He is extremely passionate and has very little self-control. He is with a girl he can't have a physical relationship with and she keeps tempting him.

Q: You and Kristen Stewart, who plays love interest Bella, have said you watched "Last Tango in Paris" as homework. Any other films put you in the mood for "Twilight"?

A: With "Tango," it is about a girl who doesn't fully realize the consequences of her decision. It is the dark side of the coin. I also watched Ang Lee's "Lust, Caution" and (Hitchcock's) "Notorious." And a lot of Japanese films. They are a lot more about stillness, proximity rather than following through. It is what happens before a sex scene.

Q: What is all this talk about you not washing your hair for months on end?

A: People are scared of my hair. But it starts washing itself after about three weeks. I'm just saying that. But, yeah, if it doesn't look dirty, why wash it?

Q: What are your next projects?

A: I have two movies coming out. "Little Ashes," a drama in which I play Salvador Dali, and "How to Be," a comedy. Tiny things.