Chris Weitz Commits to ‘New Moon’
In case there remained any doubt, Variety confirmed this morning that Chris Weitz will direct New Moon, the sequel to Twilight.
Summit Entertainment is rushing pre-production on the new film, set to begin shooting in March so it can be released on November 20, 2009. The crash schedule is seen as a contributing factor in director Catherin Hardwicke stepping down. Melissa Rosenberg is said to be already polishing the script which was hastily written over the last month.
With $200 million earned worldwide to date, the film’s success has bolstered Summit to be aggressive to capitalize on interest and keep the cast looking youthful. Eclipse, the third book in the quarter, may well be shot back-to-back with New Moon.
The trade says the second film will focus on “Edward Cullen leaving Bella Swan in order to keep her safe from other vampires” The werewolves will be prominent in the film, which is budgeted at $50 million.
“The extraordinary world that Stephenie has created has millions of fans, and it will be my duty to protect on their behalf the characters, themes and story they love,” Weitz said in a statement.
Now that Quantum of Solace is open, all eyes are turning to next week’s release of Twilight. Summit Entertainment has begun putting the pieces in motion to adapt the second of Stephenie Meyer’s novels, New Moon. No final decision will be made until the dollars hit the box office but the worldwide reaction is expected to be intense and profitable.
