Twilight Eclipse UK Premiere Tonight

The film premieres in the UK tonight but fans hoping to see stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner will be disappointed.

The trio are missing the screening, citing prior filming commitments, and fans will have to make do with a video message instead.

Lesser-known cast members, including Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz and Nikki Reed, will attend. The Leicester Square venue will be transformed into a forest for the occasion.

Dozens of "Twi-hards" have camped out in Leicester Square despite the absence of Pattinson and co.

When Pattinson, 24, attended the LA premiere last week, he confessed to feeling guilty about the level of fan devotion.

Surveying the crowds outside the Nokia Theatre after a marathon autograph signing session, he said: "They've been camping out. I spiral into this oblivion of guilt whenever they say that because I don't know what to do. All I can do is sign."

The third instalment in the Stephenie Meyer vampire saga took more than $30 million for its first North American showings at midnight on Tuesday.

It overtook the previous midnight record for $22.2 million held by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is expected to take more than $150 million over the coming weekend.

The film opens in the UK on July 9.