Aussie actor cast in Twilight movie Eclipse as Riley

Little-known Aussie actor Xavier Samuel is headed for the big time after landing a role in one of the hottest movie franchises around: Twilight.

Samuel has been cast in Eclipse, the third film in the Twilight series based on the best-selling books by Stephenie Meyer, his management company Shanahan Management told AAP.

He will play Riley, a good-looking college student and newborn vampire, who joins villain Victoria’s plot to murder Bella (Kristen Stewart).

“I’m really thrilled, but also very overwhelmed, I don’t think it has sunk in yet,” Samuel said.

“This is a fantastic opportunity and I’m really excited to be part of the film.”

Eclipse follows Bella as she tries to choose between two loves: the vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson) and werewolf Jacob (Taylor Lautner).

The first movie, Twilight, has made $US382 million ($475 million) worldwide since it was released in November last year, and the second film, New Moon, is due in cinemas in November.

Eclipse is due to start filming in Vancouver, Canada, next month and is due for release in June 2010.

Samuel has starred in Australian films like 2:37, Newcastle and September, but Eclipse will be his first US film.

He is currently in Los Angeles but will return to Australia later this month for the premiere of his new film The Loved Ones at the Melbourne International Film Festival.