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After I broke the news yesterday that Catherine Hardwicke has been voted off the island by Summit Entertainment for Twilight's sequel New Moon and possibly back-to-back threequel Eclipse, comments started flooding into DHD with suggestions on who should take her place. It's even caught the attention of Summit, I'm told. Given the studio's speeded-up schedule for the Twilight franchise, the choice needs to be made ASAP. Here are the names so far, with one mentioned many more times than the others (and for good reason). Find out who it is by reading to the end:
Pro: "Back in the day, Kathryn Bigelow gave us a wonderful little vampire film called Near Dark. Maybe someone should give her a call. Con: Great, hire Katherine Bigelow -- then you can have a bloody action film, directed by an equally difficult, never cries female director, with no sense of humor and absolutely no idea what teenage girls think and feel".
Pro: "Go after Brett Ratner for New Moon. He’ll pump up this lame material, Give it some pizazz." Con: "Oooo, how about Brett Ratner. He knows what 12-year-old girls want."
"I hope they get Sofia Coppola. ... Hello, Academy Award winning female director."
"Get Paul Morrison to direct the film. He worked with Rob Pattinson on the Dali/Lorca film Little Ashes. It had a tiny budget but he turned in a wonderful film."
Pro: "Where’s Joss Whedon when you need him?" "Who has more experience with teenage vampires than Joss? Con: Or do you think he wants to keep his vampire prowess relegated to Buffy and not mess with another vampire world?"
"Joe Wright from Pride and Prejudice?"
"What is Jane Campion doing?"
"Do you go TV and recruit David Nutter?"
"I’m crossing my fingers they get someone like Niki Caro, who made Whale Rider look like a million bucks."
"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."
"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 would love to see Jonathan Frakes direct New Moon. I loved how he directed/photographed/nurtured the star-crossed love story in Roswell, the television series."
And the winner is... ALFONSO CUARON. Not surprising since he's a Harry Potter veteran, and the Twilight fan base is nearly one and the same. "I would like to see a director like Alfonso Cuaron or someone of that caliber tackle New Moon/Eclipse ." Pro: "Alfonso Cuaron, FTW. He would be amazing." "I have one name for Summit as a replacement: Alfonso Cuaron. (He did Y Tu Mama Tambien as well as Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban." "I would like to suggest Summit use Mr. Alfonzo Cuaron, who is very good at working with young people (i.e. Harry Potter) and is able to pull a good performance out of young inexperienced actors." Con: "And whoever suggested Alfonso Cuaron. If he were signed on and did to New Moon what he did to Prizoner of Azkaban... I COULD SCREAM!!!! He DESIMATED [sp] my favorite book in that series. Let's not let him destroy another successful franchise PLEASE."
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Well, I volunteer me! I work cheap and since I’m a psychotherapist for adolescents I might even have an advantage!
Did I say I work cheap?
This is why your site is so integral to the industry Nikki- it’s the most effective bridge between the powers that be (at least until they are fired) and the rest of us (both in the biz and not). I’m glad you pointed out my suggestions-still think Joe Wright would be the best choice but I also just thought about Andrew Niccol – I loved the visual style and emotional center of Gattica.
Isn’t Cuaron already insanely busy? You need someone with a fairly open plate. How about Wes Craven? He’d at least make sure the scary parts of the movie weren’t laugh out loud cheesy.
Very kind of Jonathan Frakes mother to offer her opinon… I would also add Guilermo Del Toro to the list *if* he didn’t have his hands full with The Hobbit.
P.S. Looking on imdb Cuaron has 5 announced directorial projects for 2009/2010 so not sure he would be available.
Is anyone making these suggestions taking into consideration of what Summit is willing to pay the director? That’s probably a really good indication of who they can get, not who they actually want. They will be cheap.
but alfonso cuaron has always stayed away from lead female characters. what about the director of the best vampire movie this year, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN?
I have to agree with the Cuaron supporters. If I can refute the con, I thought he did an amazing job with Azkaban, really setting himself apart from the other directors of the series because he took Harry Potter to a dark place, and it was beautiful and sinister. However, somehow I think his talents would be wasted on New Moon, which is really the least interesting and action-packed of the Twilight series. I’ll vote for Cuaron to direct Eclipse or Breaking Dawn, though. Give the man something to work with.
I vote no on Joss Whedon. I’m a big fan of Buffy and Angel, but I’d like Bella and Edward to keep their eventual happy ever after.
How about ASIA ARGENTO so long as we’re looking at goth tinged, sexually kinky (and abstinence IS kinky, as it is basically the Fundies fetish) female directors.
Or her Last Mistress director, Catherine Breillat.
Alfonso Cuaron would be a tremendous choice! He has the ability to balance artsy material like ‘Y Tu Mama Tambien’ and ‘Children Of Men’ with commercially accesible work like ‘Prisoner Of Azkaban’. Summit couldn’t go wrong with him.
What’s Chris Columbus done lately? After all, he started the Harry Potter franchise. He’s worth a call.
Oh, what am I saying? LET THE RIGHT ONE IN is still the best vampire film of the year.
In April, I saw an incredibly well-balanced independent action/drama at the Los Angeles Asian Film Festival about a gay youth who gets bullied – The Sensei. The movie was directed by Diana Lee Inosanto, who did an amazing job working with a young cast. At the same time, because of her martial arts lineage, she handled the action scenes very well. I would love to see her get a shot at least.
why would alfonso choose to do a poorly written vampire chick flick?
and how is the audience for “twilight” the same as the audience for potter, when you’ve said yourself this vamp series is a 1 and a quarter quad (at most) film?
potter hits kids, teenagers, adults, male and female
I nominate Neil Jordan. They may not be able to afford him, but the man did a pretty good job with Interview with a Vampire and The End of the Affair.
Call Bigelow.
No action director, male or female, can handle action and emotion better.
Yeah. Yeah. She hasn’t had a hit since “Point Break”.
But her detractors can eat it. “Strange Days”, “Near Dark”, “Blue Steel” and “K-19″ are all top-notch, and her new one, “The Hurt Locker” is supposed to be incredible.
And lest we forget she started out doing low-to-mid-budget films.
She’s no dummy, and she’d be the ideal director.
And last time I checked, film directors (male or female) aren’t supposed to know “what teenaged girls want”. They’re supposed to be good at their jobs.
“Titanic” made a billion cause it’s a good movie; not cause Cameron was catering/pandering to teenaged girls.
Bigelow could tear the sequel a new one. CALL HER!
HA! I mentioned Alfonso! thank you Summit for listening I hope he accepts. He’s in london right now with his kids chilling out last I heard So the man is free!
Curaon is a genius..truely. If you notice the difference in the Potter movies (1@2) and then look at number # 3 -Azkaban, (how the tone and the over all mood of the picture changed.. more “grown up?”)and the acting in that one was really quite good. He did some good things with the FX (he understands how it can add to a movie and not detract from it). I think the 2nd and 3 twilight movies are in good hands with Alfonso.
In any case, I seen an interview with Daniel Radcliff and Emma Watson and they both said that Alfonso was the best director they’ve worked with because he was able to pull a good performance from them. He’s patient and knows how to direct young actors (a rare thing) And e tu mamma Tambien was stellar. Well, Nikki I know you personally don’t like his treatment of Azkaban, but he’s is good at brining out the best in young actors. Again, thank you Nikki for letting us express ourselves and for Summit reading our opinions!
Frankly, with the little knowledge I have of Catherine Hardwicke, I am not surprised by the news of her firing. However, to suggest Brett Ratner as a replacement shows how little inside info you have on him. Nearly every production that hires him is amazed at his lack of talent and skill. What he is really great at is assembling a team that can do it all for him and make him look good.
Alfonso Cuaron is a great choice.
Jonathan Frakes?!? I nominate myself.
I agree Bigelow is a great choice. It would be awesome but what do we think about the Director of” Underworld”. it was told from a females perspective.
If you read the book, this is an awesome franchise. There are so many stories to tell. But it is a special effect movie and this current director… I don’t know .
But if they are going to do werewolves they should at lease get the crew from Underworld and get new MUA. They sucked.
Sounds to me that Summit is looking for someone both talented and someone they can push around, or at least stay on top of.
Is that really Cuaron?
Is Penny Marshall available?
JODIE FOSTER?
Kathryn Bigelow, gets my vote.
Nikki you nailed it with this suggestion. One of the best directors out there. She a natural. Never has gotten the credit she deserved.
I also vote for Kathryn Bigelow. She’s a female and will thus silence the ridiculous cries that the franchise should remain in a female director’s hands. Besides, everyone knows Caleb/Meg were the original Edward/Bella, but with the genders reversed of course.
Bigelow also has a cachet among action/horror fans that could attract a newer audience to the series. I know I’d go!
And finally, if worst comes to worse on set maybe she could call her ex James Cameron for advice on how to create hysteria among teenage girls.
For the director of this epic only one name will do: Quentin Tarantino. He can do Grind house II meets the Cullens in Teeniebopper land. Honestly, we know what Tarantino would do.. he’d get Pattinson to shave his head! All that hair is too distracting.. off with it all! Then after 30 minutes with that god-awful script in his trembling hands Quentin would probably go hang himself. (kidding) but you get the drift.
Who can save this movie from itself.?? only a good director and a better script. I don’t think I’ve seen so many people want this movie to succeed (as cheesey as the books were) One thing I have to say about the books, which ties to the movie…and correct me if I am wrong..
It’s never quite clear whether Edward Cullen wants to sleep with Bella or rip her throat out or both, but he wants something, and he wants it bad, and you feel it all the more because he never gets it.To be 17 and have all those wild hormones running through you. That’s the power of the Twilight books: they’re squeaky clean on the surface, but right below it, they are absolutely, deliciously filthy.
oh yeah…
Joss Whedon invented the “teenage girl falls for a vampire, and he, for her”, fantasy sub genre, ala Romeo and Juliet…who better to steer this franchise than Whedon, himself? He knows how to direct big action, work with special effects, stunt crews, and how to properly edit and pace such genre based stories, in film and TV…bringing in rich elements of romance, sexuality, humor, adventure, danger, and quiet/serious…and even scary moments when needed, in addition to moments of magic and wonder. This man knows how to move you and make you cry…or stand-up and want to cheer, or laugh!!! Again, who better to direct the next Twilight film, than him?
Someone else owns the Buffy movie rights, and the Fox movie division has shunned Joss for years. His schedule is open right now, in terms of taking on directing assignments, and he has wanted to direct Harry Potter and Wonder Woman (both characters which he loves)…so Twilight would be right up his alley…especially when we think of the Potter comparisons and Twilight’s potential therein. Further, this will be a chance for the studio behind Twilight to bring together the Buffy and Twilight audiences…something that would benefit their demographic base drastically, adding millons more fans to what is already a huge audience.
Don’t let the title fool you, Buffy is a metaphor for how a teenage girl sees the adult world and how growing-up is scary and brutal sometimes. Vampires become like the right of passage, as in losing one’s innocence on the way to adulthood. They, the monsters of her town, are the cheating boyfriends (demons), the abusive boy friends (werewolves), date rapists (ghouls), the forbidden May/December Romance (ala consentual statutory rape), and vampirism…is the metaphor for sexuality, temmptation…and drug/alcohol addiction. And Buffy’s attractions to the bad boy, as represtented by her vampire boyfriends, is depicted as her inner guilt and natural urges, born of one’s understanding of sin, versus love, and loneliness, etc. Angel is to Buffy, what Edward is to Bella, that single light of hope…somewhere in the often dark abyss of life, which represents true love, happiness and truly living and breathing for the first time…against all odds. These are the underlying hidden themes of Buffy, and what many people miss–who only read the title and look at the series from a surface glance…saying, “It’s not for me”…assuming it has to be a silly show…or those who see one episode, and think they are informed as to what the show is about. No, you need to watch at least 3 episodes in sequence to get the hidden subversive nature of the show—a program that is trying to tell you something–a message, that it’s okay to think…be different, and that, in life, all of us will be martyred, but we can choosed to be martyrs of our own doing for a great and worthy cause, and not just sheep who die on our knees, in a slaughterhouse of someone else’s choosing, and will. We can be heroes, and live and die with purpose…even young women who are becoming women–they don’t have to be meat for the misogynist’s grinder, they can take a stand and be seen and heard, as strong heroes, who make a difference in this world. That is Buffy, and that is what Twilight’s director just doesn’t get, and Joss Whedon does.
Joss knows how to find the emotional essence of a character, and bring it forth to make the audience feel something–and feel a sense of loss, and that something major and vital is at stake. He makes you care for the characters, hurt where they hurt, love as they love, and root for them when they win, and even cry for them, tears of pain, or joy, sometimes both. Whedon’s specialty, being character development, nuances, and epic, as well as interpersonal, story arcs. Watch “Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog” for instance, “The Body” episode of Buffy…or “Once More with Feeling”, or the last episode of Buffy featuring a climatic battle scene worthy of “Lord Of The Rings” in terms of epic scope, I’m not kinding, you will know the shot when you see it, and it is stunning!!! Study up on this talented young man, and get to know his work…and you will witness Joss Whedon’s ability to turn the emotional screws of his audience and engage them in the goings on, on screen…sometimes on a dime, with devastating emotional impact. This man is still Hollywood’s best kept secret, and even better, thanks to his late Mom…who, along with Producer Marty Nixon, his wife, and Sarah Michelle Gellar, whom all partially inspired Buffy, is a dedicated feminist…and that pretty much, says it all!!!
Catherine Breillat is the most hilarious suggestion of the whole bunch. If her Fat Girl is any indication her idea of female teenagers is jealousy, rape and murder. Her ideas of gender and sexuality (while interesting) are not exactly ideal for keeping the franchise tween-friendly.
Interesting list.
Brett Ratner. Ugh. Even less talent than Hardwicke but with a much bigger ego. To say nothing of his complete inability to create decent female characters.
Would love to see Pattinson and Joe Wright work together, but there’s no way Wright would take this series on.
Hadn’t considered Jonathan Frakes – he could be decent. I’ve always thought he was an under appreciated director, and given that his current project was made-for-TV, his rate is probably within Summit’s budget. Plus, given that he got his start directing for a weekly television series, he’d probably be up to handling the tight turnaround.
But why no mention of Ang Lee? His work is consistently good, and he’s the rare director who can do both action and romance credibly (ignoring The Hulk).
The Twilight series are ridiculous romantic drivel, but I will say that they possess an interesting challenge for most directors given their cross between love and action. Summit has a difficult search on its hands, but I do think they can find someone better than Hardwicke.
This is a doozy. What Summit are going to get is a slickly shot, atmospheric film that has the lowest box office of the seriea (a la Azkaban). Or if they’re really lucky, a cult classic that has some of the best reviews of the year, Julianne Moore getting splattered by some ne’er do wells, and barely recoups its budget (Children of Men). I’m not complaining though. I loves me some Alfonso Cuaron.
Stephanie Meyer is probably going to need medicated if she ever rents out Y Tu Mama Tambien. Luckily, they probably don’t stock that in Utah.
What about Tony Kaye, the eccentric director of AMERICAN HISTORY X and BLACKWATER TRANSIT? He is a genius. Watch AMERICAN HISTORY X to see a brilliant film (dealing with young people, and of course he makes a ton of popular music videos too–Red Hot Chili Peppers, for example). And for those of you who scoff and say he’d never do a vampire flick, he almost did a Liv Tyler horror film a few years back…. So yeah, Tony Kaye! He would do a great job and make the film the intense, stylish experience that it needs to be.
A person I met online named Bloo suggest Nick Cassavetes of Note Book fame as the person who should be the director of the Twilight sequel…and I thought, “Wow, what a terrifically inspired choice!!!” Nick Cassavetes work on The Note Book was, is…elite and should have netted him a Best Director Oscar and a Best Film Oscar for The Note Book, a film that celebrates the love, passion, and joy of life in a mature and yet young and invigorating…and inspiring way. That is how Twilight sould have felt and looked, but didn’t!!! I have been swayed by Bloo, Nick Cassavetes now has my vote!!!
A lot of Twilight fans are going to be severely disappointed when they get a no-name director who’ll work cheap and be obedient. Hardwicke left over money/schedule issues. Do people really think Summit’s going to find a more famous director who’ll work for cheap AND be ready to go by March? Yeah, right. This thing is one huge rush job and no director with any other options is going to take it on.
For all you film critics who are slamming the books and think this should be another Harry Potter or Buffy The Vampire Slayer, or Hollywood slasher/action flick….it isn’t. The draw in the books is the love story, therefore I agree that Nick Cassavetes would capture the passion. If you don’t like “the romantic drivel” then you have absolutely no idea what the built-in fanbase need from the movie. Summit won’t pay for Alfonso Cuaron,so dream on, and the suggestion that Tarantino be allowed anywhere near Stephenie Meyers books is revolting. I don’t care if the director is male/female or neither, as long as they stay true to the story.
nikki – do you have any word how stewart & pattinson feel about hardwicke not coming back? curious how they are responding to this new.
I smell a new reality series brewing…”Project Twilight!”
I think it’s interesting that when the scuttlebutt had Jon Favreau being replaced on Iron Man 2 the net exploded with indignation while Catherine Hardwicke is booted out and the net explodes with suggestions for her replacement. Nice loyalty, Twilight fans.
Ignorance is bliss with most of these posters. I worked for Summit, and they’re one of the cheapest companies I have ever come across in my career. They nicke and dimed me on everything. And the thought of Tarantino or Cuaron anywhere near this material is preposterous in the first case and completely over budget in the other not to mention he’s booked until forever. Know your material and its fanbase and the producer, then make comments.
Brett Ratner? Why not Michael Bay? Why not Joel Schulmacher? Why not Uwe Boll? What about Rob Zombie?
Here’s some directors I think would work:
Mira Nair
Gillian Armstrong
Jodie Foster
Mimi Leder
I also think malke directors could do a good job, but for this list I stuck to women
Tarantino or Cuaron would be wishful thinking and we all know it. But’s its ok to speculate and dream on here. I don’t think Nikki minds. It would be interesting to see how they would handle this 2nd rate material.
It is a trip to think that Summit may be reading this. Do they really care for our drively little opinions in anycase. Who knows. As Nosferatu mentioned Summit is small and probably cheap. But they’ve got a big hit on their hands, and who knows what direction they may decide to go in. They need to do something and fast.
AS for the next “beheadding” I say off with Kristen Stewarts head and replace her with someone a bit more softer and vulnerable around the edges. I understand that’s what the character “Bella” should have been more like from the interview with Stephanie Meyer the writer.
Sure this book is tripe, but its a big money maker, and that usually translates to work, jobs etc.
Noooo, David Yates would be best!
I would STRONGLY consider Wes Anderson. He is genius. Very modern and influencial-his work made my brother apply to film schools and made me a life time fan. He deffinetly distinguishes the characters-giving the audience a strong feeling of who they are, which would come in handy for New Moon when the characters really break out of their shells.
He reflects everything a director should represent and more. Royal tenenbaums, rushmore, the life aquatic, and producing the squid and the whale..all instant classics. His visions really bring out the induviduality in his films. Twilight more than anything wants to stand out right? Why not hire one of the most unique minds in show biz? Go for wes!
Has anyone read the last book of this series? My kid tells me that the girl Bella gets pregnant and her baby turns out to be a little vampire who wants to eat its way out of her stomach. Her boyfriend our relucatant vampire hero and father, ends up having to chew it out of her by ripping her stomach open.
People this is no love story… at least by the 4th novel. Goodness what bloody tripe. If I had known that I would not have let my kid read this schlock.
Who directed Alien 1? That’s the one you want.
Seems like your kid has reading comprehension problems.
The posting is correct..I read the 4th book, the girl has a baby that wants to gnaw its way out of her stomach and Edward has to rip the child out with his teeth befor it happens.
Not very appealing as a love story.
Something happen.. was the author trippin?
The director of Alien 1 was Ridley Scott.
Yeah, this would be right up his alley.