Robert Pattinson of ‘Twilight,’ ‘New Moon’ Stars in Chicago Screening of British Indie ‘How to Be’

CHICAGO – While Robert Pattinson has earned wide acclaim for his role in the hit film “Twilight” opposite Kristen Stewart and will attempt to heartthrob audiences again in the sequel “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon,” he hasn’t forgotten his independent film side. He plans to show it to Chicagoans on one day only on April 22, 2009 at the Music Box Theatre.

Robert Pattinson (right) of “Twilight” and “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon” stars in the British indie film “How to Be”.
Image credit: How to Be Films

Filmed before “Twilight” in 2007, Pattinson stars in the British independent film “How to Be” from writer and director Oliver Irving with composer Joe Hastings and co-stars Mike Pearce and Johnny White. The plot synopsis follows:

“How to Be” is a coming-of-age comedy starring Robert Pattinson (“Twilight”) as 20-something musician Art who gets dumped by his girlfriend, moves back with his parents and hits a quarter-life crisis.

Using inheritance money, Art hires self-help guru Dr. Ellington to move in as his full-time life coach and help make him “more normal”. “How to Be” is a timely look at the increasingly common phenomena of grown-up children living at home with frustrated creativity and self-help.

Following the one-night-only screening at 8 p.m. in Chicago on April 22, 2009 at the Music Box Theatre, a Q&A will be held with writer and director Oliver Irving, composer Joe Hastings and stars Mike Pearce and Johnny White immediately follow the screening. The cost to attend is $15.

This special Chicago screening is part of the film’s U.S. tour that leads up to a national release of the film by IFC Festival Direct on nationwide cable beginning on April 29, 2009. The tour will stop in Los Angeles, Orlando, Chicago, Boston and New York City.

The Chris Weitz-directed sequel “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon” will star Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene and perhaps Lucy Hale, AnnaLynne McCord and Dakota Fanning (who were the subject of recent casting rumors).

“Twilight,” which stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Ashley Greene and Taylor Lautner from director Catherine Hardwicke, has grossed $189 million in the U.S. and $363 million total worldwide. This quickly put “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon” into production and has spawned many casting rumors. Other books in the Stephenie Meyer series include “Eclipse” and “Breaking Dawn”.

Update at 7:51 p.m. on April 17, 2009: We now have the high-quality “How to Be” movie trailer for your viewing enjoyment. Watch it now here!

Update at 1:29 p.m. on April 22, 2009: We have just been informed that those attending this screening will have a chance to win a “How to Be” poster signed by Robert Pattinson!

Watch the “How to Be” movie trailer now with Robert Pattinson.
Read about the teaser poster for “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”.
Read our Dakota Fanning story on “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”.
Read our story about DVD release parties for “Twilight”.
Win a walk-on part in “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”.
Read our story about the release date of “The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse”.
Read about the new name and logo for “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”.
Read about why Catherine Hardwicke left the “Twilight” franchise.
Read our story about AnnaLynne McCord auditioning for “New Moon”.
Read our story about Dakota Fanning talking about “New Moon”.
Read our story about the open casting call for “New Moon”.
Read our story about Lucy Hale auditioning for “New Moon”.
See our 2009 Summit release slideshow with “New Moon”.
See our high-quality, 28-image “Twilight” slideshow.

By ADAM FENDELMAN Editor-in-Chief HollywoodChicago.com adam@hollywoodchicago.com