While "The Twilight Saga" at its heart is a story that surrounds a love triangle between a vampire (Robert Pattinson), a human (Kristen Stewart) and a werewolf (Taylor Lautner), there's no question that several other characters -- and the stars who play them -- have emerged from the shadows in a big way as we approach the rise of "New Moon."

Chief among them is Ashley Greene and her character, Alice Cullen, a pivotal member of the vampire clan who developed a hugely loyal following after the first "Twilight" film in 2008. The huge reception of Alice in the past year is flattering to Greene, who admits she's still trying to wrap her head around the whirlwind of attention.

"It was something that I totally did not expect -- I just think it's incredible," Greene said with an engaging laugh in a recent @ The Movies interview. "Alice is an amazing character to play anyway -- she can see the future, and is this positive, relatable best friend character who just happens to be a vampire -- but when I realized that people were so open and willing to accept the character, I definitely exhaled."

What's even more exciting, though, for the 22-year-old Jacksonville, Fla., native, is she's getting as many personal notices as the character is for being one of the hottest vampires in the saga – including the cover for the December issue of Maxim magazine which carries the headline, "Drop Dead Sexy."

"The attention started when were filming the first movie and I was like, 'Oh, wow!'" the actress said. "But when Web sites were starting to pop up -- Alice Web sites and Ashley Greene Web sites -- I told my mom, 'This is so bizarre.'"

Beyond the attention she was getting on the Web, Greene also was surprised to discover that merchandise based on Alice was selling incredibly well.

"I realized that girls were really relating to the character, which is so cool because I really worked my butt off to portray her," Greene said. "I definitely can't take all the credit for it, but I'm very happy about it."

One of the main reasons Greene is satisfied that people are embracing her portrayal of Alice is because she specifically approached the character with the fans in mind.

"Even before we started filming the first movie, I looked at the blogs and read what people were saying to see if their view of Alice was the same as mine," Greene said. "Thank God they were happy with they way I played her. There were things that people want to see more of -- like more interaction between Alice and Jasper -- but I can't really do anything about that. Still, I try to do what I can."

In "New Moon," Alice finds her friendship with Bella (Stewart) growing stronger, as they race to Italy to save Edward (Pattinson). Despondent over his belief that Bella has died, Edward is preparing to sacrifice himself to the Volturi, the most powerful of the vampire covens.

"Alice has her work cut out in this one, and is definitely that driving force who grabs Bella with the hope of reuniting her with Edward," Greene said. "Her abilities certainly help in the process."

Also given the chance to shine in "New Moon" is Lautner, who played a much smaller, but important role in "Twilight." Lautner and his character, Jacob, have also grown immensely in popularity over the past year, and Greene is confident that fans will find he's risen to the occasion in his expanded role in "New Moon."

"Taylor had his work cut out for him because everyone is in love with the Edward character," Greene said. "But honestly, what Taylor brings to this film is incredible. You can't take your eyes off of him."

One reason, of course, is because its no secret that Lautner has bulked up considerably for the film. But beyond the muscle, Greene added, Lautner has a chance to show off his romantic leading man abilities.

"Edward leaves Bella alone, abandoned and vulnerable, and Jacob swoops in and becomes her protector and picks up the pieces," Greene said. "Everyone loves Bella and wants to see her feel better, and because of what Taylor does as Jacob, they'll embrace him."

Even better, fans will be able to embrace Jacob, literally and figuratively, since his character has been made into an action figure for the first time. But he's not alone: There's a new figure of Alice, too.

"You've know you've made it when you have an action figure. It's so weird, yet it's so cool. It's not me, but since it's my character, it still looks like me," Greene gushed. "I didn't even know I had one until my brother called and said, 'Dude, I just bought your action figure! Everyone asks if we get used to all of this craziness, and when stuff like that happens, there is just no way that you can."