much to my delight as well as the rest of my twilighter friends... almost immediately, forums have began playing casting director with the remaining characters in the books. within weeks from it's release, not only did Twilight reach its $150million mark, but as of Dec 12, Twilight has grossed $179,223,536.00 worldwide (
Box Office Mojo) and still counting...
this air of celebration did not last long though... last Dec 7,
Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily released the official statement from Summit Entertainment declaring that Catherine Hardwicke will no longer be directing the second helping of Twilight that is, New Moon...
Hardwicke Nixed for "Twilight" Sequell Summit Looks for "New Moon Director
UPDATE: Summit Entertainment Co-Chairman/CEO Rob Friedman just phoned me to add: "Catherine and Summit have agreed to part ways on the sequel because our visions are different." The start-up studio's hastily prepared statement (below) notes: "Summit’s targeted end of 2009 or early 2010 release of the film, New Moon, does not work with Ms. Hardwicke’s required prep time to bring her vision of the film to the big screen."
EXCLUSIVE: So the rumors are true. I've confirmed that Summit Entertainment has rejected Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke from heming the sequel in this big new franchise. No doubt my news will speed up the studio's announcement, and Summit will surely spin this as all going down amicably along the lines that "she couldn't fit the film into her time frame". (Summit does want a ridiculously speeded-up sked for the next installment.) But this terrible news for Hardwicke comes just as she and the Twilight cast are on their European press tour. Tomorrow's interviews in France will now focus entirely on what, if anything, Catherine did to deserve this treatment. This also could blow up into a scandal for Summit if it chooses a male director over Hardwicke, whose Twilight easily beat Mimi Leder's 1998 Deep Impact box office gross as the biggest opener for a female director. That was a record embraced by Hollywood feminists as a sign of growing gal power. ["To think that the people at Summit are sexist is insulting," an insider there replies to me.] This wasn't a good weekend for female film directors because Lexi Alexander's Punisher: War Zone bombed, earning less than half what Hollywood thought it would. As to whether Hardwicke's career will be damaged by this very public firing is up for grabs because, even though the pic was skewered by critics, it is already a $160M low-cost blockbuster. Summit has started preparing the sequel New Moon, based on Meyer's second book in the series, and, to contain costs, the studio is considering making third book Eclipse back to back.
The word from inside Summit is that Hardwicke, the acclaimed Thirteen and Lords of Dogtown and The Nativity Story director, "was 'difficult' and 'irrational' during the making of Twilight," one insider explains to me. "That doesn't mean anything when you're talking about a filmmaker because they all are, but still..." (Joe Roth and Sony kept saying that about Julie Taymor on Across The Universe. Yet she made a cult classic and is now directing Marvel/Sony's Spider-Man for Broadway.) But an outside source also informs me, "Summit didn't like her. They're saying the DP [director of photography] Elliot Davis is the one responsible for the film's sumptuous visual look, that the editor Nancy Richardson had to save the film in post-production, and Summit thought Hardwicke's [CAA] agent Beth Swofford was alternately ineffectual and hysterical. It certainly demonstrates, while CAA agents boast of their vast influence, how little clout and muscle they actually have, or are willing to use, to protect their artists."
I'm told that the studio has even had quiet talks with other CAA directors for the last week. "And Swofford never told Hardwicke about that and that she was about to get kicked to the gutter," an insider tells me. "To add insult to injury, Hardwicke can now look forward to being grilled by the press for days on end, in front of the cast, about why she's getting shit-canned." Adds another source: "Catherine is the consummate professional so she's continuing the press tour."
Here's Summit's news release tonight:
Los Angeles, CA, December 7, 2008 – Summit Entertainment and director Catherine Hardwicke jointly announced today that the filmmaker will not be directing the next installment in the newly minted TWILIGHT film franchise. Summit’s targeted end of 2009 or early 2010 release of the film, NEW MOON, does not work with Ms. Hardwicke’s required prep time to bring her vision of the film to the big screen. Thus as has been done before with many successful film franchises, the studio will employ a new director for NEW MOON.
"I am sorry that due to timing I will not have the opportunity to direct NEW MOON,” said Hardwicke. “Directing TWILIGHT has been one of the great experiences of my life, and I am grateful to the fans for their passionate support of the film. I wish everyone at Summit the best with the sequel-- it is a great story."
“Catherine did an incredible job in helping us to launch the TWILIGHT franchise and we thank her for all of her efforts and we very much hope to work with her on future Summit projects,” said Erik Feig, Summit’s President of Production. “We as a studio have a mandate to bring the next installment in the franchise to the big screen in a timely fashion so that fans can get more of Edward, Bella and all of the characters that Stephenie Meyer has created. We are able to pursue an aggressive time frame as we have the luxury of only adapting the novels into screenplays as opposed to having to create a storyline from scratch.”
when i first heard of the news i didn't actually know how to react about it. back when i first fell in love with Twilight (the book) and found out it was going to be a movie, I promptly visited
IMDB to check out the film credits. when i found out Catherine Hardwicke was directing it, i actually didn't know what to say... although i've seen "Thirteen" years ago, i found it hard to relate how what she had accomplished in that film have anything to do with why it makes sense that she was picked to direct a film such as "Twilight". nevertheless, i saw the movie with an open mind. sat on my seat, and as i've mentioned previously... allowed the movie to take me someplace else. in other words, i enjoyed the movie. regardless of all the things it lacked. with a meager budget of $37million, i'd say Hardwicke did marvelously and did not deserve what had come to her.
everyone say things like this happen in Hollywood and that may be true, but perhaps much of the sadness i feel about this is the fact that while the entire team, Hardwicke including, was still promoting the film all over the world... Nikki Finke decides to invade the media with her news.
here are excerpts from some TCP forum entries regarding this:
Personally, I don't mind transitioning to a new director if we were to consider how Summit Entertainment wants to shoot the sequels in the same fashion as what New Line did for the LOTR franchise. That's a reasonable business call given that most of the actors in the film are not supposed to age/mature. However, I was imagining the transition to happen around Eclipse pre-production period while, perhaps if Catherine was still the director, post-production for New Moon is being done. But not at this juncture especially while Catherine, Kristen, Rob and other cast members are in the middle of international promotions for Twilight.
My anger about this whole matter is how Summit Entertainment responded in a very gung-ho fashion within hours after the bitch blog of Nikki Finke was published. In my opinion, Summit's move was STUPID, UNCALLED FOR and DOWNRIGHT RUDE.
-ROMAIEL
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I admire Catherine Hardwicke for the work she did in twilight. I am no art major or do I have any background with anything that has to do with filmmaking. I maybe blind to the technical blunders they did, i may not know a lot of how they messed things up production wise. But i do know that the movie has heart.
All the effort, time, love and extra mile that Catherine Hardwicke did to perfect the movie the best way she can is all over it. That for me is more than any perfected CGI filled film .
-TWILIGHT ANGEL
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Rome and I already chatted extensively about this, and she pretty much summed up most of what I have to say. I'll just post my reactions here to the comments of fans and movie websites that I've read yesterday.
People are saying that Summit doesn't owe Catherine anything, and that any director could have made Twilight and it'll still be the box-office hit that it is.
I disagree. People seem to forget that it was Catherine who fought Summit to make sure they will hire a new screenwriter that will make a script that is more faithful to the book. If she didn't insist on that, we'll get the version of Twilight where Bella is a track athlete who goes on a Charlie's Angels type of adventure. Is that something that Twilighters would go out to see? NO WAY!!!! Rumours about Catherine being difficult notwithstanding, Summit still got their blockbuster movie, and they can't deny that Catherine is the glue that held it together. So if you really think about it, Summit owes Catherine... $152 million worth of thank yous, and still counting.
-CLAIR DE LUNE
speculation regarding the sudden decision surround conflicts with budget and duration demands. summit wants the film released by the end of next year or at the eve of 2010, which perhaps clashed with what Hardwicke had envisioned. moreso, she probably asked a bigger budget but recently i heard that Summit allotted a mere $50million (including $12M each to Pattinson and Stewart) so that probably sealed the deal and led Hardwicke to sign off.
from the day it was announced, i have thought about whether or not it was for the good of the movie. will the introduction of the new director contribute to the success of 'New Moon' or otherwise? i fear the latter because i believe in the beauty of the story that Stephenie Mayer wrote... and it deserves to be shown on-screen with brilliance.
yesterday, on another Nikki Flinke exclusive...
Chris Weitz, the writer and director of "The Golden Compass", "American Pie" and "About A Boy" was officially declared as the director to replace Hardwicke.
He's accepted Summit Entertainment's offer to direct the movie adaptation of the second book in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series of vampire novels, New Moon. (I first broke the news that Weitz had received the offer here, and the news that Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke was off the sequel here.) The offer went out to director Chris Weitz in part because he's a longtime pal of Summit's president of production. Now comes a letter that the director will be sending to Twilight fans (below) with his selection endorsed by Stephenie Meyer (below that). Fan approval is very important to Weitz, who initially resigned from directing The Golden Compass, also based on a popular book, because he feared getting dissed by devotees. Despite that, Summit has put its first valuable franchise in his hands. Weitz has successfully worked with tweens and teens in About A Boy as director and writer, and in American Pie as producer and uncredited director. I'm told Summit wanted Weitz because the studio liked the look of The Golden Compass (he was writer and director) even if it didn't heat up the domestic box office.
Here's the Weitz letter to fans:
Twilight book series author Stephenie Meyer endorsed Weitz today and published his letter on her website: December 13, 2008
Hey guys,
There's been a lot of worry and speculation on the boards lately, and I want to let you know what's going on.
First of all, like you, I'm sad that Catherine is not continuing on with us for New Moon. I'm going to miss her, not just as a brilliant director, but also as a friend. She has such a distinct, authentic voice that did amazing things for Twilight. I'm looking forward to every movie she does in the future.
And she didn't leave us empty handed. We still get the benefits of her amazing casting and the beautiful visual world she created. This foundation puts us in a good place for New Moon.
Summit Films is moving forward with a new director for New Moon. They've asked Chris Weitz, director of American Pie, About a Boy, and The Golden Compass, to join us, and I am very pleased to announce that he's agreed to be a part of our Twilight world. I've had the chance to talk to Chris, and I can tell you that he is excited by the story and eager to keep the movie as close to the book as possible. He is also very aware of you, the fans, and wants to keep you all extremely happy. (Torches and pitchforks are not going to be necessary.)
I'm excited to work with Chris and I think he brings a lot to the table, not the least of which for me is that he wrote the screenplay for and directed one of my favorite movies of all time, About a Boy. I'm really looking forward to seeing his vision for New Moon.
Below is a letter from Chris to you. I think you'll get a glimpse in this note of how cool it's going to be having Chris as part of our community.
and as if it wasn't enough... two days prior to this article, they have announced that Taylor Lautner will be replaced as Jacob Black in the next movie. Rumor has been going around actually, that Michael Copon, who played Felix in "One Tree Hill", a half-Filipino, will be replacing our Taylor.
In addition, the role of Jacob is now up for grabs as Taylor Lautner will not be reprising it in the sequel. Summit Entertainment deemed him too young-looking and slight of frame to play the maturing werewolf.
So now, the hunt for a Native American young man who fits the description of Jacob Black AND who demonstrates incredible chemistry with Kristen Bell is on.
Taylor or Michael???
which leaves me with a few points to say:
1. i slept the half the time "The Golden Compass" was playing... it was the most uninteresting film I have ever seen. (or was i just knackered that day? -- i shall give it another chance this week and get back to you on this.)
2. although i loved "American Pie", I don't know how to convince myself that the creator of such a film can make wonders for the story as beautiful as "New Moon".
3. i will trust their judgment, cus hey... it really isn't my place to complain about anything, but if their decision sabotages the story, i will not forgive SUMMIT for it.
4. notice that Socialite called our "Bella" Kristen Bell??? Hello? Her name is Kristen Stewart, if unsure... please refer to IMDB and don't make stupid mistakes like that!
5. i know i have constantly complained about Taylor Lautner's height and how unfit as Jacob he truly is, since Jacob in the book is supposed to be pretty huge, even towering at 6'2" by the end of Twilight. but, you see, i have serious issues with replacing characters in the middle of a series. Taylor has been preparing for "New Moon"... it's unfair for him to be sacked just like that... I heart Taylor already!!!
6. i have nothing against Michael Copon... after i thought about it, i even realized that he will be a better Jacob than Taylor. Physically, even in talent (basing this on his role in One Tree Hill), his chemistry with Kristen still has to be determined, but he should've been casted as Jacob from the beginning... replacements suck big time!
7. what the hell is SUMMIT doing? from totally forgettable now that they matter, they suddenly decide to grow an attitude??? how about being grateful first to those that put you in your place? i am deeply annoyed!!!
finally, since i've totally exhausted myself with this long recap of the goings on in the Twilight World and have expressed my emotions with all honesty... I'd have to end this long entry... NOW!
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