Summit begins search for New Moon director
Posted on 07. Dec, 2008 by AmyO in News
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.”
We are discussing this HERE.
9 Responses to “Summit begins search for New Moon director”
Jacqueline
08. Dec, 2008
I have some concerns about this because Catherine had the vision and loved the characters and she did a great job. I fear that this is a corporate decision that has more to do with profit than doing it right. We all want it soon, but not at the cost of cutting corners.
pznluv
08. Dec, 2008
On one hand I am so excited that the goal of Summit is to get the movies made faster (I wish they would film them all at once). I hope the next director will be as passionate about New Moon and keep true to the story. Catherine has been so enthusiastic and positive about everything-I hope she’s okay about this.
lisa
08. Dec, 2008
I just have to say, I’m kinda disappointed. Catherine Hardwicke did an outstanding job. She “gets it”. I’m worried that the next director won’t. I’d rather wait longer for a movie that is true to the story and characters I love and have it done right by someone who gets it than to have it rushed to the screen all “blockbuster-ized” for the $$$.
If Catherine wants more time for prep. to make NM. I say give it to her! She KNOWS what she’s doing! She knows the fans and appreciates them too much to give us anything less than a final product that is true to Stephenie Meyer’s writing.
~kirsten~
08. Dec, 2008
I agree with Lisa. I would much rather wait and get a great movie than have it rushed and end up with something mediocre. Catherine shares in our love of Twilight and understands the story and the characters so well. I was really looking forward to seeing her vision for NM. I’m afraid Summit may have a difficult time finding her equal for this project.
mt mommy
08. Dec, 2008
Is there a way we can all write to Summit? I really do not like this decision at all???? Catherine definitely caught the vision of Stephenie Meyer and she was as passionate about the books as we all are………I think we should write to them and let them know how disappointed we are.
dsccc
08. Dec, 2008
I do not really believe she has scheduling issues. There were definate flaws in Twilight that I think led to this decision. I am scared because I think Catherine “got it” and I wish they could have pointed out the things that should have been cleaned up, hired her an assistant, and told her we expect better this time. Catherine loved Twilight and the characters the way we do, and I truly hope they can find someone else who shares the same passion for the project!!!
MelissaJ
08. Dec, 2008
I am really bummed about this. Catherine felt the same way we do. I think she did great directing the kids, too. It’s too bad. I wish they could figure something out so she could do New Moon.
Katieb
08. Dec, 2008
I agree with Lisa. Catherine had the vision of Twilight and I don’t know if someone else will have that same vision. I also liked how she wanted to take her time on NM to make it a wonderful movie.
I’m so going to through this plug in, but if you’d like to show support for Catherine please go here
http://twilightmomsforums.freeforums.org/let-s-show-our-support-for-catherine-t19229.html
Edwardbride
08. Dec, 2008
I swear we will never see a director who was more a fan of Twilight than Catherine Hardwicke. The way she involved us all in this wonderful creation led to the success that it has become. She gets major kudos for doing what no one else likely could have done. She has set the stage well for the next movie. What a gift to us all.
I am sort of excited to see another director’s take on New Moon. It was good for the Harry Potter movies to switch it up, I think it could be good with the right person involved. In fact, my favorite Harry Potter was #3 done by Alfonso Cuaron (I think that is his name!)
In summary, I really hope they release a directors cut for Twilight and give her the screen time she may have had to sacrifice in many areas. It needed another 15 to 30 minutes added, never enough of Twilight right? It felt compressed. I would love to see what her original vision was without time constraints.
So, I am optimistic and pray that Stephenie gets pulled in a little more on the screenplay part so she can steer it a little more, because SHE was the major reason record numbers came out for the movie. Her storytelling is amazing!
Love to all, Catherine, Stephenie and Melissa prove that women ROCK!