Cam Gigandet, already a heartthrob from his role as bad boy vampire James in the blockbuster �Twilight,� now plays against type in the role of a good guy, in Columbia Pictures' new suspense thriller �The Roommate� where the fragile line between friendship and obsession divides a college dorm room.
Also starring Leighton Meester (TV's �Gossip Girl�) and Minka Kelly (�500 Days of Summer�), �The Roommate� is directed by the Academy Award�-nominated Christian E. Christiansen (�R�zone�) who crafts a finely tuned tale of madness and role reversal packed with ingenious twists and heart-stopping surprises as Sara (Kelly), a na�ve college freshman begins to suspect that her roommate, Rebecca (Meester) is not what she appears to be. Gigandet plays Steven, Sara's devoted boyfriend.
�Steven is a little goofy but he�s a good guy,� Christiansen says. �As a counterpoint to Rebecca, he�s a source of normalcy and stability in Sara�s life. Cam brings enormous likability and charm to everything he does, and he has real sex appeal. Seeing him as good guy is an interesting switch.�
Initially, Gigandet had doubts that he was the right actor for the role. �When I first read it, I did not see me playing Steven,� he says. �Steven is quirky. He�s in a fraternity and he plays drums. It�s very different from everything else I�ve done. But I gave it another read and the second time, the wheels started to turn. Suddenly I got all these ideas about the character.�
�The Roommate�s� emphasis on character and relationships makes it transcend genre, says Gigandet. �This is a classic thriller with hot young stars that give it a whole new twist,� says the actor. �It�s extremely character driven. Sara and Steven�s bond has to be strong and authentic enough to counterbalance Rebecca�s psychosis. The two of them have to go through a journey together, and the question is will they continue on, or will Rebecca win in the end?�
Gigandet gives his co-star credit for lifting spirits on the set whenever she appeared. �Minka�s amazing,� he says. �Whenever she arrived, it became a whole new set. Like her character, she�s just so lovable and endearing. She made it very easy.�
The first scene they filmed together was Sara and Steven�s first date. �Our real life friendship was growing just as our on-screen relationship was supposed be to be growing,� he says. �They were mirror images. The first date scene was awkward, which was perfect.�
A talented up and comer, Gigandet is earning recognition and accolades for his strong performances. He recently received the �One to Watch� award from Movieline�s Young Hollywood Awards, an MTV Movie Award for �Best Fight Scene� for his performance in �Never Back Down,� and was named as one of Hollywood Reporter�s �Next Generation Talent� in their annual 35 under 35 issue.
Cam recently starred in the hit comedy �Easy A� with Emma Stone. He recently wrapped production on the action thriller �Priest� opposite Paul Bettany.
Opening across the Philippines on April 6, �The Roommate� is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.
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