The director of 'Twilight' hunk Robert Pattinson's latest independent film says the vampire heartthrob considered ending his acting career.

Oliver Irving, director of 'How to Be,' tells People.com that the 22-year-old actor wanted a new challenge and was thinking about pursuing his music interests. "He was thinking about giving up acting and maybe doing music solely when this role came along."

The director says that Pattinson being cast as the lead playing an awkward, quirky young musician who hires a self-help guru to come and live with him "got him back into the swing of things again." Among the challenges for Pattinson in 'How to Be' -- which filmed prior to 'Twilight' -- were playing the guitar and harmonica. Pattinson sang two songs on the independent flick's soundtrack.

Irving says Pattinson's performance in 'How to Be' showed he was an accomplished musician as well as a good actor. "He has a playfulness and naivety that he was able to inject into the character. He's very down to earth and unpretentious. I think that's probably what makes him appealing."

'How to Be' is currently playing at screenings on its U.S. Tour and at festivals worldwide. It premieres April 29 on the Independent Festival Direct movies-on-demand TV channel.