CANNES: Lutz heaps praise on friend Pattinson as the ‘Twilight’ stars reunite in Cannes

TOURRETTES, France – It was a “Twilight” reunion on the Riviera.

Both Kellan Lutz and Robert Pattinson were in Cannes this week to promote projects: Pattinson had one film in competition at the film festival and one out of it, while Lutz was around town for his role in “The Expendables 3.”

The two caught up with each other at a party, and in an interview, Lutz bragged on his friend, whose performances in “The Rover” and “Maps to the Stars” are being highlighted by critics.

“It’s great chatting with Rob and seeing his success,” Lutz said at a resort outside of Cannes this week. “I think one of the great things talking with Rob after we did ‘Twilight’ stuff is he just doesn’t care about the money. He’s doing good work and he wants to work with great directors and great actresses and actors and working with great material, as we all should.”

“I think that the blessing of being part of the ‘Twilight’ franchise is it’s given us this safety net,” he added.

Lutz has taken more action roles, which he calls his passion, since the “Twilight” films wrapped, while Pattinson has gravitated to edgier projects. Lutz said he believes an Academy Award is in Pattinson’s future.

“He has the chops and he’s doing what he loves to do and I’m so proud of him for everything that he’s doing,” he said.

Another “Twilight” alum, Kristen Stewart, has her film, “Clouds of Sils Maria,” premiere here on Friday night; it is in competition.

— By AP Entertainment Writer Nekesa Mumbi Moody, http://www.twitter.com/nekesamumbi