TORONTO - Dozens of dedicated "Twilight" fans braved frigid temperatures to greet their idols at a Canadian premiere that featured co-stars Ashley Greene and Jackson Rathbone.
The 27-year-old Rathbone says Toronto is "the coldest" place they've brought "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1" so far.
But he and Greene say they're impressed with the enthusiasm of Canuck fans, who began showing up as early as noon to catch the evening red carpet and seek autographs.
Earlier premieres in London and Los Angeles featured hundreds of screaming fans who greeted superstars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner.
"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1" centres on the long-awaited nuptials of teenage heroine Bella Swan, played by Stewart, and her vampire boyfriend, played by Pattinson.
It opens Friday.
Rathbone, who plays the vampire Jasper Hale, said the promotional tour for the fourth instalment of the blockbuster franchise has been a whirlwind.
"It's been a little insane, but this is incredible," Rathbone said of the collection of Canadian fans who clutched posters, markers and copies of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" novels, which spawned the film series.
"This is the coldest place by far we've taken the film to and we still have people outside waiting."
The turnout was modest compared to other "Twilight" premieres, where hundreds of fans camped out to see Pattinson, Stewart and Lautner.
Greene, who plays the vampire Alice Cullen, said she was worried no one would linger outside the theatre because of the cold in Toronto, where temperatures hovered at 0 C.
Inside, the theatre was largely filled with contest winners and invited guests who were treated to an early screening of the movie.
The 24-year-old Greene said one of her favourite moments is the long-awaited wedding scene, which was shot outdoors in Squamish, B.C.
"We've been wanting to see this since we met Bella and saw how much Bella and Edward care about each other," said Greene, adding there was another reason the scene was significant.
"But also we shot the wedding on the last day of filming and so we wrapped out the franchise with a scene from the wedding. Seeing it onscreen was very special."
Actress Sarah Clarke, who plays Bella's mother Renee, wondered if the reception scene carried extra emotional heft because it was scheduled on the final day of shooting. She said it was a moving day for many cast members.
"I think everybody was sort of amped up, especially during the (wedding) toasts," said Clarke. "It's an emotional thing."
Meyer's final Twilight novel was split into two movies, with the second slated for release in November 2012.
"Twilight" fans Tahneen Williamson, 21, and her sister Chiara Williamson, 19, say they were the first to arrive at the theatre at noon, roughly six hours before the cast was expected to arrive.
"I want to get an autograph, I want to see Ashley Greene," said Tahneen.
Meanwhile, 15-year-old Tatiana Cordero said she and her 22-year-old sister joined the lineup at 1:30 p.m. because they're big fans of the supernatural love story.
""It's just different," Cordero said.
"You don't usually see that, you see love stories, but they're vampires and then there's werewolves. It's different, it's cool."
