Michael Welch / Mike Newton Interview

There’s a new interview with Michael Welch, who plays Mike Newton in Twilight, over at Touched by Twilight. Among other things, he talks about how Mike compares to Edward–

Mike Newton is Edward’s vision of the “regular guy” Bella would be with if he wasn’t in the picture (this is the New Moon perspective, prior to the introduction of Jacob as a major character). Do you agree with Edward’s assessment?
I do. Next to Edward, Mike Newton is a joke. But without this god-like creature around for Mike to be compared to, he isn’t such a terrible catch. It’s high school for goodness sake! Mike is a completely tolerable and decent teenage boyfriend. With no Edward, I can see Bella and Mike going out for about three months. I don’t know if it would last much longer than that because Mike is clearly WAY more into Bella than she is into him. High school girls always get bored in those situations.
Assuming you’ve read “New Moon,” What do you think Mike Newton is thinking/ feeling during the first two books: if there was a story from Mike’s perspective (a la “Midnight Sun”) would we see Mike as the golden retriever he appears to be to Bella, or is that a mask for deeper emotion? How will you convey this on screen?
I think Bella is to Mike what Edward is to Bella. When someone comes along and affects you like that, particularly at that age, it defines you in large part, and certainly helps define an era in your life. If Mike were to have a “Midnight Sun,” we would probably see a more vulnerable side to him. Other than that, honestly, I think maybe the golden retriever is just who he is. I haven’t searched too hard for hidden layers, conflicting subconscious motives, or other devices that create depth in character. I think simplicity is the best way to approach Mike.

Check out the whole interview over at the Touched by Twilight!

See also...

Kiowa Gordon Reveals Favorite New Moon Scene

The Winner of Mission Hollywood Announced

New Interview with Robert Pattinson from Cannes

IndiesR
Awe Mike.
That's a nice pic of him, he has beautiful eyes. :)

Mrs. Cullen
I was just thinking the same thing, he's actually pretty cute...

CullenFan
I reaaallly hope they decide to do the whole going to the movie scene--it's terrible for Mike, but funny in a way, and I think he'd do a really good job with it.

tweter76 . . . vamplover
That is a hilarious scene in the middle of a dark time for Bella. It should be in the movie!!

LeStatOnTwilight
Naaah! I don't think Bella is to Mike what Edward is to Bella. The way I see him is that he thinks more of Bella as a prized possession. Sure he's eager and persistent to take her out but all he has to do is look around him. "Really? Jessica likes me? Hmmm... let me go out with her." Whereas Bella wouldn't go out with someone she didn't feel like hanging out with. If its not Edward (or Jake) then she'd rather be alone... that sort of thing. Sans Edward, yes, Mike Newton is the regular guy you wanna be with... for 3 months.

Maddie
Agreed with that... I was thinking the same thing when I was reading the interview

AQUA
I AGREE TOO I don't think Bella is to Mike what Edward is to Bella at all i was thinking that too and i agree with everything u said

TheRealDeal
You guys are reading into his comment too much. He’s right. Mike is as obsessed with Bella as much as she is obsessed with Edward. The difference is that Edward feels the same way about Bella. Mike on the other hand, gets nothing back from her – that’s a huge impediment. Yet he’s there, “jockeying for position.” In some ways, Mike’s dynamic in twilight was replaced in great part by Jacob’s devotion to Bella in the subsequent books.

Here’s the rub… if you read Midnight Sun, Mike’s thoughts (as heard by Edward) tells us that Mike is actually sort-of shallow and well, had a few ungentlemanly thoughts about Bella… common, for a high school hornball. He doesn’t see Bella as a prize, but he sees her as his girl for the taking. Smug, but that’s because he’s one of the most popular kids is a small school. Those are the layers: He’s a popular boy – can date any girl he wants, but he wants the girl who wants the guy that he knows he won’t measure up to. What a tragedy. In a teen age boy’s world, that’s hell. So, props to Mike for his StickToItTiveness with Bella. He’s right – Newton and Swan would have broken up after 3 months – but not for the reason he said. He would have cheated on her. And then he would have spent his entire senior year trying to win Bella back. All in vain,of course. If Edward weren’t around, Bella and Jacob would be 2 normal teens, working on becoming a normal teen couple.

jennnnnn
He sounds like a smart guy!

Adriana
Team Mike, well there is bound to be more Mike Newton not just because of the movie bit with Jake, but Bella begins to work at his store, so he becomes her boss! I actually liked the Jessica/Mike pairing in the movie, they were cute.

bella425edward4445
i love mike he was a good mike in twilight lol but really he was a great mike newton

TheLionFellIn<3W/Ceci-ROBECI
Haha... Mike Newton... oh gosh I want the scene where he throws up in NM... lol that would be awsome.. he's sweet but then he DID get on my nerves sometimes =]

TheRealDeal
Wow! He should do more interviews. He's very insightful. unlike the morons starring in the movie. It's obvious he read and understood the book. Great job, Mike! I knew there was an intelligent cast member hidden somewhere. Thank goodness for him and Rachel Le Fevre

; lucy newton LOL
mike is quite possibly THE most insightful actor in the movie series , i agree . he understands the depth and emotions of the books and movie . i can't wait for NM to see him in a bigger part than the first movie , which he certainly made funnier .