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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.”
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Yet another terrible example of the way Hollywood talks about and treats women. Nikki look at what you have written. Catherine made a brilliant film. Summit should be ashamed of themselves for treating her this way and you are a party to her humiliation by writing this piece.
I really liked the movie. I get all that with the effects, that people complain about, but i really think she captured the feeling of the book. And there was a lot of emotion too…
No idea why Hardwicke was even hired for the Twilight job considering it’s not like anything she’s done before. So the talk about the DP being responsible for the movie’s look doesn’t seem like bullshit. But dropping her while she’s out there shilling the movie is a shitty thing to do. No doubt specifics will come out as to what they meant by “specific”.
And Nikki? Why talk about Hardwicke as being a female director and comparing female director grosses? I find that incredibly sexist and I’m surprised it comes from a woman like yourself. Why not compare Hardwicke’s movie’s grosses with that of any director – male or female?
I hope this news is true because Hardwicke was appalling. If it hadnt been for Rob Pattinson I’d never have seen this film.
Hardwicke has had it coming for years. I have heard from producers who have worked with her that she is quite possibly the worst human being they’ve ever had the displeasure of working with. That’s why Wyck Godfrey was brought on to the movie — he somehow was able to tame the beast while she directed their bible loser movie, so Summit paid him to babysit. Why she continues to work amazes me. Tamor is the same but at least she has talent. The sad truth is that there are few working women directors and these two do nothing to make producers want to hire the fairer sex and put them behind the camera. But I hear Darnell Marin, who directed the awesome Cadillac Records, is so talented and talent love working with her. Then of course there’s the obvious double standard. Michael Bay’s an a**hole too but you don’t see him on the unemployment line. Hollywood creeps me out sometimes.
Oh well..! It happens..!
Drama…
The movie is only making money because girls liked the book so much / the boy that plays Edward is “dreamy”. I saw the movie with an open mind and Hardwicke bombed. The acting was unwatchable and the editing was even worse. I’m still not sure why there is hype about here… she ruined Lords of Dogtown and another should-have-been money maker in The Nativity Story.
Nikki have you seen this movie?
Please be right about this. Hardwicke was dire. I adore Pattinson and he deserves better than Hardwicke. He’s awesome as Dali in Little Ashes where he has a good script and brilliant director. Hopefully he’ll have at least a decent director and script for New Moon. I’d ditch Rosenberg the script writer as well. I really hope they just use the bookas an aide memoire and build up Pattinson’s role in New Moon. 2 hours of Stewart’s emotionless face is too much for me.
That really dose not make me to happy. It seems to me that Hollywood is saying that if you end up making a movie and it dose really well in the box office and you are a female, you will end up getting screwed over and fired in the end.
Rosenberg is a great writer. Have you seen Dexter? If I had to guess, I’d think she was hamstrung by Summit not to change the story’s structure, as well as significant dialogue.
If anyone thinks the sucess of Twilight’s opening gross was down to Hardwick’s direction, then they are delusional.
I’m all for celebrating women’s achievement in cinema, but this movie was ridiculous. Just look at that meadow scene – that was the best she could do?
After hearing about the disagreements about budget, this is actually a smart move by Summit. Look what a really talented Darren Aronofsky was able to with The Fountain with the same budget.
The success of Twilight was purely down to its fanbase, NOT Hardwicks direction. Just making this film has really damaged her credentials, regardless of what it made at the box office at opening week.
I think that scene was great, I really liked it… the whole movie was very romantic, so I think is that kind of story that you either buy it or not..
I am very upset to here this. i think Catherine did an amazing job on Twilight and how the hell are they going to find another female director who loves Twilight like she did? No male could ever direct the Twilight series because it was written by a woman from the eyes of a woman. I’m not sexist or feminist, I just think it’s impossible. I am very sad at reading this. I think the real reason why they fired her is because she wanted a bigger budget for New Moon and they wouldn’t give it to her, so they made up a lame ass excuse to get rid of her.
wish they would get rid of the screenwriter too. that script was all kings of awful.
Yeah, I think this article is very sexist, sorry. You shouldn’t have written it. As for Catherine? The main concern I have is that a MALE is going to direct it. I just dont think a guy can really understand what Twilight is about; a woman should direct it.
“The sad truth is that there are few working women directors and these two do nothing to make producers want to hire the fairer sex and put them behind the camera….”
I don’t believe that is true. First, Taymor’s been nominated for an Oscar, and she’s got a singular visual style. A convivial set is great, but “niceness” doesn’t direct great films. And this is a Machiavelli-minded industry.
Second, try and read “Twilight”. It’s crap. Hardwicke had no budget, a silly script adapted from a silly book, two wooden actors, and she turned in a hit. Is it a great film? No. But it’s fine. It’s serviceable. They owed her more than to fire her now. (They should have paid her off after the PR tour wrapped.)
Third, in documentary, many of the marquee filmmakers — like Barbara Kopple, Jessica Yu, and Ondi Timoner, for example — are women. So directorial female talent exists, but these women are either choosing not to participate in the studio narrative filmmaking process, or they are being shut out of it. This leads me to believe that producers do bear part of the blame for the paucity of women directing mainstream narrative films.
what’s all this nonsense about robert pattinson ’saving’ twilight by imbuing it with some degree of quality? eh???
granted, the guys good looks clearly played a factor in getting the swoony pubescent market to part with their pocket money, but what happened onscreen once he drew the tweenies in through the theater door is largely irrelevant. though i’m amazed he managed even that contribution, given in the poster he looks likes the recently exhumed corpse of a child snatcher.
for twilight itself…. as inexpert and shlocky as i find jk rowling’s writing and prose to be, she at least creates an imaginative world with an appealing story. whereas matronly mayer brings us twilight, which is a duff concept even on page – toothless vampires romancing some sweet valley high emotional albatross – there’s no way you could make a legitimately good movie from that, and hardwicke’s real crime here was getting involved in the first place. you can’t polish a turd, after all.
though if McG can get re-hired for a charlies angels sequel, you have to be concered about what a pain in the arse she must be to work with.
Wow this is the happiest I’ve been since BEFORE the movie. I was so disappointed in the directing of Catherine Hardwicke. Sloppy camera angles and horrible pacing, destroyed would could of been an enjoyable film.
I hope they do go with another female director though, But i am not worried at all in backlash, because Twilight fans will go see the movie even if it was horrible/mediocre/good. So its a no lose, Summit just needs to hold on to thier guns, and stick by it.
oh I so hope this is true!
I don’t know how I feel about this… I feel like a more experienced director might be nice… but need a new script writer too… however, Catherine really did fight the studio to try and stay closer to the book than they had wanted to…
Also I feel like it’s pretty crappy to do this to her (if this is true) while she’s out promoting Twilight for them.
I don’t get why people are trying to make this out as some feminist blow. The movie was a succes DESPITE the direction, not because of it. Seriously, any low rent director could have been plugged in (including any one of the Smallville directors) and the movie wouldn’t have been any worse. A million teenage girls would still consume it over and over again.
That being the case, and with all these stories of her being hard as hell to work with, this is a very sensible move on the studios behalf. Why have a pain in the arse director putting out mediocre crap when you can have a yes-man (or woman) studio schill who could do just as good a job with zero complaints?
NOOOOO!!! I LOVE CATHERINE! HOW COULD THEY DO THAT?!!
Good riddance. I haven’t seen Twilight and don’t plan on it, but Hardwicke came across as both arrogant and ignorant in every interview I have read with her.
She harps on and on about sexism, complaining about why Sam Raimi and Peter Jackson got to direct Spiderman and LOTR, while studio bosses don’t give her any of these big films. News flash: Sam Raimi and Peter Jackson were both widely accomplished and successful directors before they took on those franchises. With Hardwickes dismal reviews for Twilight, I doubt she’s half the director either of them are. Sexism has nothing to do with it.
Second of all, she complained that studio heads dislike how she breaks down on set and cries, but accept male directors having affairs, yelling, being abusive, etc. While none of this is acceptable, a directors job is to guide the production. They cannot be breaking down on set and crying. They are supposed to be in charge. Crying is completely giving up control. It has nothing to do with whether you are a man or woman; that is not acceptable behavior for a director!
do the contracts that the actors signed agree with changing directors?
i’m guessing it doesn’t matter much, ex: harry potter.
New Moon is going to be a whole different game as it relies heavily on visual imagery (giant warewolves, etc). They need someone at the helm who is experienced with working with sfx, etc. That is clearly not Hardwicks strongest area.
let’s be honest. Yes the book is sugary sweet teen romance without much substance. But Hardwicke destroyed whatever spirit pervades through much of Meyer’s work. Stewart and Pattinson had zero chemistry and Stewart was flat the whole movie. Where is the joy of being in love? And the action sequences that could have been gritty and raw instead were cheesy and filled with melodramatic slo-motion. In the world of Bourne and Bond action, Hardwicke fell very short of the bar.
And i understand that they have to make a 100 minute movie, but the pacing was terrible. Sorry Catherine.
As a Twilight fan I am some what excited that she was Taken off the sequel, I was overly disappointed with the movie and i think that most of the problems from the Twilight Movie fall at her feet as director…But i hate that she had to find out like this during her tour, She is a huge Twilight fan herself and its so horrible that this happened but what can we do..the movie will be better with a different directer sadly..Im excited for New moon and i wish Catherine all the best and cant wait to see more of her movies!
She was a nightmare on Nativity–unprofessional, prone to crying outbursts, and seemingly lacking even the most basic understanding of filmmaking. This has nothing to do with gender, and everything to do with her lack of talent.
To quote Robert Evans, “There are three sides to every story: my side, your side, and the truth.” I’m sure that’s the case with letting her go, BUT how many male directors are assholes or crazy? How many are dragged through the press like this after a HUGE HIT??? When men are crazy or abrasive they are celebrated…and a woman is shrill I guess.
She should fire CAA for this, especially if they go with a CAA client.
honestly, i think they should have kept her.
She got a good idea of what twilight was about and made it into a movie on a low budget, and i was honestly looking forward to seeing the same idea with a bigger budget because then the movie (new moon) would be much better but now whose to say that with a new director the same idea will be put back into the movie. what if it changes ALOT, if that happens and it turns out bad then the ENTIRE series is screwed, i hope the people understand the risky decision they have just made
I liked Thirteen as much as the next film fan but Hardwicke is not a great director. None of her films were that great. Lords Of Dog Town was weak, Nativity Story was boring and Twilight (while not entirely her fault—screenplay) was just plain Bad.
Twilight had the benefit of a HUGE following. Let’s be honest, if there was no book to base the movie on, how would any of you feel about the film? I promise you it wouldn’t have made the kind of money it did.
Bring on a seasoned genre director or someone who understands pacing. This isn’t about Men VS Women… back in the day Kathryn Bigelow gave us a wonderful little Vampire film called Near Dark…maybe someone should give her a call.
WHOA! I can’t believe this! is this official?!?!?!
catherine did nothing wrong, and she made an amazing movie. if this is true… which i doubt it is, im not watching new moon.
this is a rude, and barbaric thing to post.
I don’t think this is sexist at all.
The film was shredded by critics and non-fans of the series. Even fans of the series (including my nieces) kept saying “you should read the book” when i talked about the film.
She f*cked up a movie about the birth of Jesus. Do you know how hard that is to do?
This movie was like a very bad CW pilot. I might accompany the girlfriend to see the next one if they find a better director.
You guys bashing Nikki don’t get it. She is a journalist, a real one. Not the ass-kissing liars that now dominate our media. This column is the most honest information in this town and all of you know it. I’m sure she’d defend any competent woman but this is NEWS!
That said, everyone knows the Twilight set was a mess and Summit execs were overworked and busted their asses to save this film. There are a lot of unsung heroes over there and they should all be proud of themselves.
Because of the state of our business, whenever a woman or a black person gets fired, there will be charges of some kind of “ism.” The truth is male directors act like asses and get rewarded. Catherine’s movie made money and so all things being equal, she should stay. That’s how it works.
However as I said, the Summit team is smart and they should be given the benefit of the doubt if they want a new visionary for the franchise. There are great women in that firm and I doubt if they were against Hardwicke because she’s a woman.
Wow, some people had to save the most post-production? I’d hate to have seen what it was like before because as far as directing goes it was pretty terrible (the camera angles were ridiculous, some of the acting seemed really forced -and the actors weren’t like that in their other movies so that could be down to bad directing- and the whole thing had too much of an indie feel that just screamed Catherine Hardwhick. Indie is fine, for indie films… but not a movie about vampires).
I HATE how people are saying that this is such a big deal for female directors that the movie did well, because honestly, the movie could’ve been just Rob and Kristen prancing around to Michael Jacksons Thriller and the movie would’ve still done well because it’s based on a best selling book series (think about it, all the fans of the book would go to see it with their friends, or their family – some fangirls go see it multiple times simply because it’s Twilight, not because it’s any good)… so the success of the movie had nothing whatsoever to do with Catherine, it was all down to the books.
If this movie was just some script that Melissa Rosenberg had come up with and there wasn’t already a built in fan base for the story then the movie would’ve probably flopped.
I seriously hope you’re right about Catherine being fired – three things that made the movie terrible were Catherine, Melissa and Kristen.
I know the chances of them firing Kristen are unlikely, seeing as she’s the lead but maybe with better direction and a better script she’ll do better in the sequel (or maybe she’ll do better in the sequel because it’s more depressing than Twilight meaning she can be dull, monotonous and mope till her little hearts content).
I worked with Catherine when she was a production designer and found her to be one of the nicest and most talented people I’ve met in this industry. The film we were working on was an intense and grueling shoot, yet Catherine never once lost her incredible sense of humor. She has a unique and imaginative vision. Sounds like Summit is looking for a paint-by-numbers director. That ain’t Catherine.
I love Catherine but my biggest issue with them firing her is the fact that she has such a distinctive style and anyone else they pick will be so different. It’s just going to be so strange after Twilight!
Ok. I am not sure how to feel about this, Twilight was amazing, its sad to hear this only because Catherine stayed true to the book, yes her style was different, but the movie was amazing.Somethings could’ve been different, but it stayed true…I don’t know, just a bunch of drama, I guess. I wonder who they’ll get next.
Thank goodness. Summit: Go after Brett Ratner for NEW MOON. He’ll pump up this lame material, Give it some pizazz. this series does not need MORE women involved – it’s already girlier than an oven-mitt
On “Lords of Dogtown”, Catherine Hardwicke was always on the side of the actors and crew…it was the studio heads that were a pain in the ass. I’ve never met any director who put their heart into a project like Catherine does. Elliot Davis and Nancy Richardson are her people, her clan…they would be the first to say they didn’t “save” Twilight. I think of Nikki Reed as Catherine’s muse. Nikki is the sweetest kid, crew people love her and are protective of her. “Twilight” is making tons of money for Summit Entertainment, but it’s just goes to show, money doesn’t buy good manners, grace or class.
Would be honored to work with the lovely Catherine again!
I hope this is true. She totally butchered one of the best stories I’ve ever read.
I agree with OT^^ all the way. I feel bad for Catherine, but Twilight was kinda bad and that falls on the director’s shoulders.
I just hope that they get New Moon right.
if this is true, i hope that Summit hires a better director because Twilight could have been better. WAY better. especially with Melissa Rosenberg. She is an excellent writer, and i think that Twilight wouldve been better with Rosenberg but it wasnt because someone was restricting her ideas for the script. A lot of the Twilight scenes were messed up; a lot of important info was missing. The meadow scene was ridiculous. The movie didnt have any of the cool conversations between Edward and Bella and it seemed as if they fell in love with each other so quickly and like they didnt even know each other that well. The scene in Carlisle’s office where Edward tells Bella about Carlisle’s history wasn’t even in the movie. And did you notice that instead of Alice telling Bella the process of transformation into a vampire, Edward told Bella, and in the book he didnt even want to tell her anything about the vampire transformation. And Jasper’s special ability was barely used
It’s bad form to fire her NOW in the middle of a press junket, but, given the box office of Twilight, the only rational reason for firing her would be that indeed she was impossible to deal with. She isn’t an expensive director and her lower fee would be in line with keeping budgets low. It’s a fair wager that her inept direction here ( face it, the movie is stillborn – no matter what one thinks of the source material, the movie needed a steady hand who could handle action and romance…she could do neither) and whatever behavior issues ARE to blame. And please…drop the sexist talk and the “only a woman can direct this, a man wouldn’t understand” – that’s really inane.
Hire Katherine Bigelow. She directed “Near Dark”, which is one of the best vampire movies ever made, and she’s a woman so no cries of sexism.
Executive 1: Hey, Twilight made a shitload of money, what next?
Executive 2: I know, let’s fire the director and hire a man for the next one.
Executive 1: Ooo, how about Brett Ratner. He knows what 12-year-old girls want.
Executive 2: I just came.
This is a blessing. Seriously.
Twilight was enjoyable despite Hardwicke. The camera work, soundtrack, dialogue, and pacing were absolutely horrific. If I didn’t like the story going in, I’d have hated this movie. The actors were generally okay (despite Stewart’s st-st-stuttering), but not enough to carry a pile of shit for an hour and a half. Also, the sparkling effect was pathetic. That’s on you, Catherine.
Good riddance.
Gee, all this “sexist” talk is getting anoying. As a 21 year old guy, “Twilight” really isn’t my kind of movie, so I have not watched it. With that being said, much of the hype that I read was that “Twilight” had a female director. Me thinks, the hype over her getting fired is because the “female director” stories were part of the hype and lure of the film. That’s why this is important.
As far as female vs. male directors, big deal. If the movie is good, I’ll enjoy it, no matter what the gender of the director is. With that being said, films that are made to appeal to young women would probably do better with a female director. In this case, the moveis will probably sell themselves based on the books, even if the movie is botched.
my opinion,,,,,
If this is true I may consider boycotting New Moon.
Wow, ok Catherin could have done better, but this hate is so uncalled for. She did a good job and you guys arn’t being fair to her.
idiots!
haters!
Catherine is the best!! Sheeeeeeeeee gave us Robert Pattinson and she is a GREAT AMAZING Director!!!
losers!!!!!!
I liked the movie very much, but I must say not as a whole…
I am nor a specialist on how a movie is directed, but if she had anything to do with directing the two leads, Kristen and Robert, then she did a terrific job. Must not forget that here must be included their personal effort. These two have nailed it!
Otherwise the movie lacks in special effects(really bad in my opinion, a certain flow in how the story unravel, but is the one to be blame for a weak script?
If Summit will get her fired, then an entire different scenario may come in place, different aproach. I wonder now how much Stephenie Meyer has to say in this matter and on how the New Moon will be done, or how much will be changed compared with the book.
Obviously Summits got the golden egges from an skinny chicken, and they want to cash on this as much as possible.
If she was fired, then who’s next!
omg. thats awful. how could they do that to her? everyone on set said the LOVED catherine because she brought LIFE and fun to the set!! she already started doing research and crap for the sequel and she already read the script written for it. they can’t just pull the sheet out from under her. its just wrong. she obviously loves her job and wouldn’t do anything that wasn’t right for the films. bloody bastards.
I thought it was really good,that is coming from someone that adored the book. Yea…there were some things I would have changed. I do feel that there were some scenes that they could have done a better job at, that probably wouldn’t have cost a thing. As for the male director bit, I don’t know if that might work. I mean we can’t really diss it yet, b/c it hasn’t happend. But I do feel like the scenes where it gets intense with Bella and Edward or Bella and Jacob in the book, will be displayed a little cheesy, you know? coming from a guys point. I know, it sexist, but…it’s the truth. Unless they find a really great guy of a director, that wants the sweetness and tenderness of the relationship thats in the book displayed on screne.
I hope they get Sofia Coppola.
Get Paul Morrison to direct the film. He woked with Rob Pattinson on the Dali/Lorca film Little ashes. It had a tiny budget but he turned in a wonderful film.
We saw Twilight last night and for the first half, between laughing at the dopey dialogue and silent movie era acting, we couldn’t stop staring at Edward’s lipstick. Where’s Joss Whedon when you need him?
well…I’m kinda happy but still they should have done it later. Although, maybe they were afraid that if they did it later people would be complaining that they should have done it earlier. I think that some of the directing could have been done better and who knows, (i’m not saying she was but it could be a possibility because we can’t honestly say that we know her) maybe she was a pain to be around or something or they didn’t think that she was professiol enough. As long as the do a good job on New Moon then i’m happy.
I’m very surprised this announcement would be leaked while Catherine is still on her press tour promotion in Europe. Very tacky if you ask me. Nonetheless, I have mixed feelings about all of this if it’s true.
First, I think all the b.s. about Catherine “crying” on set as being seen as weak is a lame excuse. All that means is that women aren’t allowed to express emotions and others are afraid of it. Bunk. Catherine seems like a very passionate person and with it may come tears, especially when it’s something she cares about.
As for whether or not another director is appropriate for the next movie? Maybe. I liked what Catherine brought to the film which was a unique rawness. But I do agree with the “meadow” scene being done differently but I didn’t see the script, nor was I working with potentially confined limitations brought on by Summit and producers. I think it’s a typical Hollywood b.s. that this stuff happens which makes me sad and want to avoid movies all together.
I loved the book series and so did a lot of other people (hence the fan base) and the closer they keep the script to the book, the happier the fan base is. But it’s more about keeping the “feel” of the book rather than just the dialogue. I thought many times that they were just throwing lines from the book into a scene that really didn’t quite “fit”. Now is that Catherine or Melissa’s doing? Who can be sure except those in the know.
Bottom line, it’s a terribly thing to do to Catherine especially while she’s promoting the film and probably Summit will hold off their announcement until she’s done which will be even more burdensome since this article has been leaked out.
Damn Hollywood and the media!
Thank god. Now we may get lots more Edward in New Moon. Hope so as I’m far more interested in the Cullens than I am Bella/Jacob. Sticking closely to the book would be a huge error of judgement. Get a director on board that can kick Meyer into touch.
I am happy for this. She did a horrible job with Twilight. The movie grossed so much money because of the books, but think about how much it would have made if it was actually created well?
I really think the movie could have been better… But just think for a moment… What a great responsibility Catherine accepted, cause making a movie of a best seller isn’t very easy, I mean Twilighters would get upset… but really, do you think that with that money they gave her it would be enough to have the best effect in hollywood?, I personally wouldn’t even mess there, but all thought, she managed herself to make a great movie, cause I loved it. And if they pick a male director, I will be really pissed off!
Catherine Rocks!!
This was perhaps the worst movie I’ve ever sat through in a theater. It was painful. The acting was horrible. I only sat through it because a friend of mine was an extra and we wanted to see if she was in it (she wasn’t). We started laughing after the first 20 minutes at just how bad this movie was.
I hope this really happens. Nothing personal, Catherine (and more power to female directors), just don’t think you did a good job. Twilight is doing as well as it is doing in the box office because of Stephenie Meyer and Robert Pattinson and this fans goodwill can only take the series so far. It’s imperative that the next movie BE GOOD!!
Female or male, the choice of next director has to be based on talent.
I hope this is true. I mean, I’m sure Catherine is lovely and all that but the movie doing so well is not down to her. It’s only because of the books, just like the first Harry Potter movie would’ve done well no matter how bad the movie was just because fans of the book would watch it.
So all this talk about her being amazing for breaking some record for female directors is a load of bull, it’s giving her credit she doesn’t deserve because the books are the only reason the movie did as well as it did.
And honestly, I think this is the perfect time to fire her because of that… the first movie did well, it could rely purely on the fans of the book for that. But with the sequel, the movie actually has to deliver this time or even the fans of the book won’t be rushing out to see it.
Firing Catherine won’t automatically fix everything, I mean the books are cheesy as hell – they’d have to get a decent script this time, the actors would have to do a better job and the budget would have to be much bigger to get better special effects than the ridiculous ones used in this one (don’t even get me started on the sparkling or the crappy jumping through the trees stuff)… and even then, the movie probably won’t be amazing because the books aren’t amazing, they’re a guilty pleasure at best. But if all those things are fixed then it could at the very least be a half decent movie and I think a new director could make that happen (assuming Summit get someone who is better than Hardwicke)
-Allie
I don’t think we should defend her simply because she’s a woman. It’s like rooting for your kid in the Little Leagues. She’s an adult, and she can sink or swim on her own merits–in this case sink.
thank god.
This makes me so angry. What a low thing to do, Summit. Twilight fans should be kissing Catherine’s feet. If it wasn’t her, Bella would be a track star, and the FBI would be after the Cullens, etc. (I’m referring to what MTV wanted to do w/ Twilight)
HOW could they fire CATHERINE HARDWICK!!!?!? she was GREAT and she shouldnt be fired, I am completely DISSAPOINTED and VERY MAD at Summit for firing her. She was great and Catherine you did great!
Sad when anyone looses work, but Twilight was by fare the cheesiest movie I have ever seen and it looked awful. The lines were predictible and boring and RP was the only bright spot. If Summit was smart they’d replace KS as well.
From everything I have read CH was a real pain in the butt.
I don’t know anything about Hardwicke but I do know from personal experience that Michael Bay is a complete jerk on the set and a real misogynist to boot (as is is his buddy Jerry Bruckheimer). Nobody likes working with an a**hole, be they male or female, but the men definitely get away with this stuff because theyr’e, well, men… Hollywood is basically a toilet bowl in which the biggest turds rise to the top and that includes the agents, but the males, at least, never seemed to get flushed down the toilet.
wow,
everyone that thinks twilight is a bad movie and the director did a bad job are idiots.
obv. the movie is never as good as the book,
but i thought twilight was an overall good moviee;
could’ve been better in some parts but other then that it was an amazing film. Rob and kristin did an amazing job! and yes, the moviee wouldn’t have been a big hit if there wasn’t a book, but even if i didnt read the book, i would have still love the moviee!
it was really mean and ignorant to post this; just cause you and some other people didn’t like the film doesn’t give you the right to say crap about her. if you dont have anything nice to say, don’t say anthing at all !!!
pce.
Catherine should be treated with respect, since she undertook this project and handled it well with the budget she had to work with. I would like to see a director like Alfonso Cuaron or someone of that caliber tackle New Moon/Eclipse. Go Twilight, we love the actors that brought our story to life!
This is the best thing that could have happened to the Twilight Trilogy! I’m sorry but Twilight was a big disappointment to me, mostly because of the bad direction that the actors received. I have seen both Pattinson and Stewart in many roles in which they both gave outstanding performances. They are both very good actors but because of this Director they were led into this substandard portrayal of two of the best characters that young actors could have hoped to play. I will now very much look forward to New Moon and hope that the actors will be able to give the performance that I know they can deliver!
This is great news! Catherine (nothing against you) did not do a good job with Twilight. Her name is in the record books as the highest grossing female director but honestly, that rests on the shoulders of Stephenie Meyer and Robert Pattinson. That’s why it’s imperative that New Moon BE GOOD because fans goodwill will only go so far if the next movie sucks.
Oh, for christ’s sake…if this is about needing the director to be female, have Nicole Holofcener both write the script for and direct ‘New Moon’…she can turn it into a sermon about class warfare.
Or, bring Lisa Cholodenko on board for some hot girl-on-girl action…
Or, Penelope Spheeris. She can make it a punk-rock opera.
Or, Amy Heckerling if there’s gonna be talking babies.
Did I mention ‘F*** the Twilight franchise’?
Good move by Summit entertainment, the film was horribly directed, which merely added upon the mediocre acting. Hopefully a new director can put a positive spin on this series, and take it outside the niche group of screaming fan girls.
Also, I am having trouble seeing what her gender has to do with anything. She’s an awful director, and I don’t believe I, nor Summit is at all sexist for feeling that way.
If you want to see what a real director can do, check out Christopher Nolan, or Matt Reitman if you want an example with a small budget like this movie had.
I think it’s rotten that this was announced while she is still pitching Twilight in Europe. This is so unprofessional. But I also think it’s a good move on Summit’s part.
Though, I liked Twilight (mostly because of Robert Pattinson), I thought it was poorly made (which I do not solely attibute to the direction, but also to the budget they gave her). This is obviously a huge franchise and deserves the money and a director capable of handling such a big project. Catherine is an independent director; New Moon needs a blockbuster director, who will, hopefully, recognize what they have in Robert, and inflate his role accordingly (no matter what Rosenberg tries to pull regarding Jacob).
Robert (and Edward) is why I will see New Moon, which is also the case for everyone I know.
I honestly don’t really don’t care, as long as they keep Rob patterson
As for Lexi Alexander and “Punisher: Warzone”, as a long time Punisher comic fan, she can hold her head high. Given the budget she had to work with she’s delivered the first and only film that was actually true to the Garth Ennis Punisher MAX series. Granted, it was in a grindhouse style, but hey, with the budget she had (and the material, I’m ashamed to say) she wasn’t going to deliver THE DARK KNIGHT. I was a doubter, but Lexi made me eat crow.
(Well, that, and Titus Pullo with machine guns. 13th!)
Well, I myself am an enmormus fan of the books and I have to say that I was disapointed in the movie. So many critical scenes and especially qoutes weren’t in the movie and the scenes were only like 5 mins long each. I think that Robert and Kristen deserve better. I dont think Catherine did as good as a job she should have. I hope they have a bigger budget and a better directr for New Moon. Good luck guys.
I am really happy Summit fired her. I love books. I am a total Twilighter but lets be honest here. That movie was extremly disappointing. The only thing it had in common with the book is the very BASIC plot. I laughed during parts that werent ment to be funny, and I defenetly did not feel the sames things I did when I was reading the books. I seriously hope that whoever they get for the next movie will be better. I am wondering though, what exactly did she do that made Summit realise their mistake? Also during many interviews with Taylor Lautner he had nothing but praise for her but I expected him to say that. I mean would an actor really bash his boss? I dont think so. I am really looking forward to hearing his thaughts on this as well as the rest of the cast’s opinion.
By the way I dont really see anything all THAT sexist in this article. Sure you compared her work to that other FEMALE directors a lot but IT’S not that big of a deal.
But I did notice one thing about your article, you were very baised in the fact that you said “what did she do to diserve this treatment”. I just thaught Id mention it.
-Alanna Cullen
Beyond all else, this was extremely poor timing by Summit. When your director and cast are overseas promoting the movie that is pulling in large sums of money for you, that’s not the time to come out and can the director. There’s nothing maverick about that move and it pulls some of the steam out of the promo tour as well. This should have been kept on the back burner at least until she & the cast were done touring.
WHAT???? The film is a HIT. Considering the budget they had to work with…it was amazing. I’m wondering what the heck the execs at Summit could be thinking….IT’S THE FIRST HIT THEY’VE EVER HAD and a big part of it’s success was the director’s vision. Why mess with success?? BIG MISTAKE…bad rap…horrible timing.
Wow i can’t even finish reading the comments. People are being way to harsh.I no that poeple have the right to there own opinions but that only goes so far until it turns into just total lack of respect and being a complete asshole.
Thank goodness!! Fans deserve so much more in these upcoming films
Now if they can only guarantee that they can get a better screenwriter too! I mean…having the same person that did Step Up mess these movies up is PATHETIC! Summit can pay now…I hope they can come through and deliver.
I am seeing Variety’s reporting reference the “negotiations” of the director’s deal.
You mean to tell me Catherine’s reps didn’t demand something in the original directing deal outlining terms of her services in connection with sequels?? That is a failure on her reps’ part.
A likely scenario:
CAA asked for too much money. Summit walked away. It’s their right and I applaud them.
Love it when agents overplay their hands and pay for it.
Or, taking everything at face value: if she was asking for too much prep time it’s the studio’s right to say No. So in the end it was actually her choice. You have to work within a studio’s constraints. She chose not to.
I am having trouble seeing how or why Summit has egg on their face here. I am sure they were willing to hold the news until PR is over, but press got wind of it forcing the release today.
Finally, the crowd that went to see this movie and made it a success won’t stay away from the sequel if their preferred director isn’t on it. A pic like IRONMAN needs Favreau…this movie will live on.
I find the level of vitriol being directed toward the (female) director and (female) writer of this film very odd.
There isn’t anything like this much flaying of hacks like Brett Ratner or assholes like Michael Bay.
What gives? It’s a teenage vampire movie, y’all.
I heard she couldn’t even control her actors. If you are a director and can’t control your unknown actors, then I suggest you find another gig.
If not for the good acting of the leading roles this film would not have been great. Hardwicke was a bad directer, but i dont think Summit should have just dropped her like that, as now the sequel is going to be different because its going to be someone elses vision.
I’m torn over this move. Personally, I was not thrilled with a bunch of aspects of Twilight. As a fan of the series, I was happy to see the characters come to life, but probably would not have liked it if I hadn’t already read the books. Some of the things I didn’t like, were due to costs (I’m all about doing your own stunts, but some of this stuff was just bad), but others I think were due to Catherine. I actually really like some of Catherine’s other work, so I’m not hating on her; just surprised by some of her choices.
Although I wasn’t thrilled with Catherine’s vision of Twilight, I am sad to see her go. One of the reasons I was happy to have her as a director is because of how passionate she is about the story. If there is a new director, can we be sure of that passion? Is the new director going to take the same care in the adaption of the book? I completely understand that film is a different medium, so the movie will not be the book. However, I’m concerned that some aspects are going to be changed for no good reason. I’m also worried that a new director will think, “Ok the market audience is young teen girls” and not think about anyone else. Look at the Harry Potter movies. Even though there is a more mature story line in some of the movies, there are stupid comedic points that are only funny to kids under the age of 10. I don’t want that to happen to Twilight.
I love Catherine for adding Rob’s music to the movie, and maybe even for the casting of him. For that I am eternally grateful. She brought great enthusiasm to the Twilight promo experience. Heart her! But I’m kinda glad as bad as that sounds. She has GREAT actors, she really needed to redirect several scenes better. THEN NEED A NEW SCREENPLAY WRITER! That’s the one that needs to get fired.
Also fire Nikki Reed! Not pretty enough.
Is that the sound of an axe grinding again? rrrrrrrr……..
I am glad to hear this. I went to see the movie because I was looking forward to seeing the book come to life and there are so many things she could have done differently. I only like the movie because of Edward…I like the look of Bella but not her acting. I hope New Moon and Eclipse is so much bette with a new director.
I am a female television director in Hollywood and from my perspective many of the weak points of the film were due to Hardwicke as a director. From the second the director was announced I knew this was a poor decision on Summit’s part from weaknesses I had seen of her as a director in Lords of Dogtown and The Nativity Story that I knew were important qualities for Twilight. When I heard Nikki Reed was cast as Rosalie, I knew Hardwicke must have strong armed her friend Reed in front of Summit, and this was setting a precedent for poor casting.
I can not blame Hardwicke for all the weaknesses in the film, but I can say that I am happy to see New Moon pass into another visionary’s hands, preferably another female, as well hoping for some key roles to be recast. If the Harry Potter films are at all an indication, changing directors is very wise decision and may lead to tremendous success and longevity for the franchise.
“Hire Katherine Bigelow. She directed “Near Dark”, which is one of the best vampire movies ever made, and she’s a woman so no cries of sexism.”
Um, it can still be sexism, regardless of who they hire after Hardwicke, because a female director’s diva antics are NOT tolerated while a male director’s are. Anyone had the “pleasure” of working with David Fincher?
What’s the big deal about a guy directing the Twilight sequel? I mean, I liked some of Hardwicke’s films and she was the only thing that intrigued me about this project (which I have not seen). But why couldn’t a man direct it? From what I understand, the overall story arc sure sounds misogynistic to me.
Although I liked the book well enough I thought the movie was better. I thought the director’s vision and the screenwriter’s changes were improvements.
If this is true, I’m disappointed. I’ll likely see New Moon ( whether at the movies or on DVD ) but I’ll be discouraged if it’s long winded like the books or overly sappy like the books.
Too bad for the director. Heinous behaviour on the part of Summit and it’s too bad.
Summit should be ashamed!!! Bad form. I don’t care if a woman directed it or a guy directed it. This is the evil crap all studios pull and it’s gotta stop. This goes to show what evil, backstabbing, scared, weak people Summit execs are. Even if the movie was crap she gave them a hit and she should be rewarded. It’s not a bad movie because of her. It’s a bad book, bad script, generic watered down concept. Hardwicke should be rewarded. Summit should be punished by us boycotting their future movies. We can’t let studios keep getting away from this.
I love these ‘Twilight” stories on DHD…it brings out the ‘Twilight” crazies. The books are poorly written teenage romance tripe. As for Hardwicke, I don’t know it seems in poor taste to shit can her during press for the film and it seems like they’re asking for trouble rushing the sequel. I don’t see these movies (or books) having the longevity of the Harry Potter franchise. Most of the fans will get over the hype of these books and my understanding is the last book of the series was a disappointment…so maybe rushing it IS a good idea. If they’re going for bigger talent maybe someone who can elevate the material like Joss Whedon or Katheryn Bigelow who both have proven themselves with both vampire mythos and strong female oriented material. Either way I doubt they’ll be able to get four good flicks out of it.
It’s pretty rotten she found out while still promiting the movie.
but guys, this has nothing to do with “sexism”, and that’s comming from me, and I happen to be a women!
I don’t care if it’s a man or a woman, Whoever is RIGHT for the job should direct new moon.
Women should earn their accomplishments, not get them because it might be “sexist” if they didn’t.
The movie sucked, she took out whatever magic carried through the books.
I mean, meadow scene, anyone?