L.J. Smith’s “The Vampire Diaries” was first published as a trilogy in 1991. That was a full decade before Charlaine Harris published the first book in her Sookie Stackhouse series and 14 years before Stephenie Meyer first begin making vampires sparkle in “Twilight.”

However, because of the variable journeys from page-to-screen, “The Vampire Diaries” will be premiering on The CW this fall and on Tuesday (Aug. 4), the show’s producers and cast had to explain to the Television Critics Association how this latest uber-swoony undead romance is different from the ones filmed before it.

With much of the cast off filming in Atlanta, stars Paul Wesley, Nina Dobrev and Katerina Graham, plus co-creators Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec faced the comparisons.

Wesley, who has previously played werewolves and fallen angels, got the first query, regarding the influence of Robert Pattinson when it comes to brooding teen vampire archetypes.

“Well, prior to shooting the pilot, I had never seen ‘Twilight,'” Wesley noted. “And I specifically went out of my way to not watch ‘Twilight’ because I didn’t want it to in any way influence me because I knew that it was a similar subject matter. And now, I’ve actually never watched the movie in its entirety, but I’ve seen parts of it. And, you know, I don’t think that it would be wise for any actor to make any judgments on their character or decisions based on anyone else. I think if there are similarities to Robert Pattinson’s character in ‘Twilight,’ so be it. I take the scripts that Kevin and Julie write, and I do my honest, best portrayal. And then anything else” any, like, similarities, that’s sort of an aftereffect.”

More here.

Twilight and True Blood have paved the way for upcoming supernatural and especially vampire series. I have a lot of respect for Wesley for not badmouthing any other actors.

What do you think about the comparisons that are pointed out in this article? Do you agree/disagree? Why?