ROBERT Pattinson says he’s surprisingly “relaxed” about the release of Twilight sequel New Moon.The eagerly-awaited movie, which also stars Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, hits theaters Friday — and Pattinson insists he’s remaining calm.

“I’m surprised at how relaxed I am about the whole thing now,” the 23-year-old said. “I was really nervous when we started shooting New Moon, especially because of the expectation and everything… only because the first one did so well. I was really freaking out.”

Referring to the time Twilight fans were writing on internet message boards that they didn’t want him to play Edward, Pattinson said, “I think, in a way, I liked that. I felt I had less pressure because I had absolutely zero expectations whatsoever.

“For New Moon I was kind of freaking out a little bit at first, but hopefully I learned a couple of things that seemed to work on the first one. So I’m pretty calm now.”

Pattinson recently revealed he didn’t make the most of the exposure from his role as Cedric Diggory in the 2005 movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire because he was more interested in perfecting his craft than lining his pockets.

“I was a real prat for the first month,” the British star said, referring to the time when the Potter movie hit theaters. “I didn’t talk to anyone. I just drank coffee and told everyone I was 24 and this famous theatrical actor just back from South Africa.

“I kind of blew it after the Potter films. There was a chance for me to really kick on and use the exposure, but I didn’t really want to do anything. Looking back, it was a good thing. I was able to teach myself how to act for a start. I could have done some more teen movies, but I thought what was the point? I’m not all that fussed by making loads of money.”

Is Robert Pattinson really relaxed about New Moon Release?