Kellan Lutz claims he turned down Twilight lead

The Twilight Saga's Kellan Lutz is best known as brawny bloodsucker Emmett Cullen.

But the actor says he was originally approached with an opportunity to take the lead and become an international heartthrob in the role of brooding hero Edward, which ultimately went to Robert Pattinson.

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In a recent interview, Lutz revealed that he refused to audition for the part, explaining that his role in HBO's Generation Kill left him wanting to do something more upbeat.

“The role just didn’t… I just didn’t care to entertain it,” the actor told Access Hollywood. "I really wanted to play a happy role or no role for a little bit.

"I didn’t care to audition for [the role of Edward] because he was a bit moody and emotionally challenged.

“But then I loved Emmett… I’m so blessed to have been able to play him,” he said.

Lutz went on to add that he'd happily return to the franchise if another sequel were to be made.

“I love everyone. I loved to work with everyone and I loved my role,” he explained. “I’d love to play Emmett again or even another role in it.”

Lutz will hit screens next year as the titular hero in The Legend of Hercules (formerly Hercules: The Legend Begins), released in the UK on 8 August, 2014.