Twilight star Peter Facinelli almost lost out on the chance to play vampire family patriarch Carlisle Cullen - because producers were looking for someone older.

Facinelli felt sure he'd missed out on his chance to star in the film franchise because of his age - and he reveals the role was actually handed to another leading actor.

He says, "I went in and I read with Catherine (director Hardwicke) and I thought it went well and then I didn't get the part. They offered it to somebody else because they were afraid that I looked too young next to the other cast members, so they were going to go older with this other actor.

"Then he fell out and they ended up going back to the original, which was me."

Facinelli had no idea he was still in the running to play Cullen when he sent Hardwicke a book gift and his best wishes for making the first Twilight film.

He adds, "I sent Catherine a book... 50 Years of Vampire-Making in Hollywood... I sent it to Catherine because I really was a fan of hers and I loved working with her in the audition, and I said, 'I'm sorry it didn't work out, maybe we'll work together in the future. I hope this book inspires you to make a good vampire movie.'

"She actually got the book the day that the other guy fell out and they were like, 'Who do you want (instead)?' and she was like, 'What about Peter Facinelli?' I always joke with her and say, 'I bought my role for $29.99.'"