Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner walk the black carpet at The Twilight Saga: Eclipse premiere

They had been waiting patiently all week, forming a make-shift tent city outside the Los Angeles Nokia Theatre.
Last night the discomfort paid off as The Twilight Saga: Eclipse stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner walked the black carpet to deafening screams.
The dedicated Twi-hards were joined by host of celebrity fans for the most eagerly-awaited premiere of the year.

The stars: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewartand Taylor Lautner arrive at the premiere of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse in Los Angeles

Big night: Kristen wore white Elie Saab and Pattinson, her real-life boyfriend, a red Gucci suit

Despite the frenzy, Pattinson, who wore a red Gucci suit, said he wouldn't be staying out late.
'I have to work tomorrow,' he said. 'I have got a 5am start on a film, Water For Elephants.'

 

The 24-year-old British actor said he'd miss playing his character Edward Cullen when the series finished.
'I like all the people that I work with and I guess I'm going to miss all this [indicating the frenzied crowd] as well,' he said.

Don't get too close: After they've camped out all week, Kristen might want to keep her distance from these dedicated Twilight fans

Scrum: Press from around the world fought for the best photos on the black carpet

His co-star Lautner, who plays Jacob Black, said he found walking out in front of all the fans really nerve-racking.
'I get so nervous, really nervous,' admitted the 18-year-old.
'If it's just me and Kristen it's not good because we're both nervous so we just feed into each other. So it's not good.
'But this is amazing to come up here and see thousands of fans here.'
He said walking around without his shirt - his werewolf character's trademark - could get too much.

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'It's tough, it was easier this time than New Moon, but it's still a big challenge.

'We have blankets and heaters to cuddle up to, but you've gotta go through the pain.'

Kristen, in a white backless Elie Saab gown, said she had changed her heels halfway through meeting her fans as she couldn't walk in them.
'I'm ready to go inside, but only because my feet hurt,' said the 20-year-old, who plays Bella Swan.
'It was fun,' she said, of the movie.

Moment of glory: After months of build-up, Lautner revels in the attention of his fans

'I was so very much in her [Bella's] mind that I didn't know how it was going to go. She grows up in this movie, she chooses Edward, she doesn't need him anymore.'
Twilight author Stephenie Meyer said she had been heavily involved in turning her words into a movie, spending a lot of late nights on set.
But she said it would never match up to her first love - penning books.
'There's nothing like writing, all by yourself in a quiet room, there's no greater feeling than that,' she said.

Short and sweet: Actresses Nikki Reid, who plays vampire Rosalie Cullen and the Cullen's 'mother' Elizabeth Reaser who stars as Esme

Rivals: Actresses Ashley Greene who plays vampire Alice Cullen and Tinsel Korey who plays Wolfpack leader's girlfriend Emily Young 

Meyer said she couldn't quite believe she was behind the huge premiere.
'I really can't process that. It's easier to just feel that you've snuck into the party, that's easier,' she laughed.

Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg said converting the Eclipse book onto the big screen was her favourite writing experience.
'It's a whole different challenge,' she said. 'I loved doing it, diving into someone else's work.'

Smoky eyes: Twilight fan, 90210's AnnaLynne McCordgot into character with dark eye make-up and a dramatic ruffled gown

Among the celebrity fans was Jennifer Love Hewitt, who said she was firmly on Team Edward.
'He sparkles in the sunlight, he's hopelessly devoted, he's never going to leave her. What more do you need?'
The Ghost Whisperer actress said she had read all the books.
'Here I was, 30 years old, laying in my bed, falling in love with vampires. I just loved it.'

Dressed up: Bryce Dallas Howard (Victoria), Christian Serratos (Angela) and Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria)

Julia Jones, who plays she-wolf Leah Clearwater, said she embraced the chance to play the flawed character.
Although beautiful in the flesh, in the movie she is made to look dowdy and ugly.
'I came down here yesterday and met some of the fans and they were like, "Thank God, you're pretty in real life",' she laughed.
'I didn't look pretty in the film but that was intentional.'

Dakota Fanning plays evil Volturi vampire Jane.

All dressed up: Ghost Whisperer actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, Victoria's Secret Angel Marisa Miller and American figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi

'It was really fun, getting to have the dramatic make-up and be paler than this. I didn't know I could be!'
She said her character was complicated: 'I don't know that I relate to Jane, she just tries to be evil for the sake of being evil.'
Charlie Bewley, who plays Volturi Demetri, said he hadn't yet seen the movie.

'It's actually a really great learning curve to work with different directors,' he said. 'I've got a wonderful character.'
Peter Facinelli, who plays Dr Carlisle Cullen, said he'd learnt new skills during filming.
'People ask me, doing all this vampire training, does that make you a better fighter?
'And I'm like, I could fight you but I'd have to miss you by two inches every time,' he told MySpace's live streaming.

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Ashley Green, who plays Alice Cullen, said the training was intense, with hardly any stunt doubles used.
'It's pretty much all us.'

Rent a crowd: Kylie Jenner, Kourtney and Kim Kardashian and Kendall Jenner, of Keeping Up With The Kardashians