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EXCLUSIVE: I’ve confirmed there’s no director hired yet. And the two productions won’t be back-to-back. 
But that hasn’t stopped Summit Entertainment from newly scheduling its Twilight threequel for release on June 30, 2010, not long after its Twilight sequel New Moon set for November 20th this year now being helmed by Chris Weitz. Summit also officially changed the name of its vampire movie franchise based on Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling series of novels to The Twilight Saga. Here’s how Summit descibes the plot of the threequel Eclipse:
“As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death.”
Regarding The Twilight Saga, my sources tell me that director Catherine Hardwick’s claim in her diary that she didn’t want to helm New Moon isn’t accurate because Summit decided not to hire her for New Moon. And I’ve also learned that Summit only had a deal with Stephenie Meyer for the first book, Twilight. So the start-up film studio had to make individual deals for the other books in Meyer’s series, including the new 4th novel Breaking Dawn — and the author got top-dollar, trust me. To date, Summit’s low-cost blockbuster Twilight has earned $363 million in worldwide grosses — almost evenly divided between domestic and international — since its release on November 21st, 2008.
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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They probably would love to release Eclipse the same way they’re releasing New Moon — exactly a year apart — but there’s a little movie called Harry Potter in November 2010 and so that option is out. Hence, the June (summer) release. Twilight seemed to cross the hell out of several demographics as evidenced by it’s staying power (you can’t say it’s only little kids and tweens who’ve kept it going for 3 months strong in theaters) so I imagine New Moon will do as well if not better — especially if the film itself ends up being a film critics like as opposed to Hardwicke’s version that got raked over the coals. I think Chris Weitz will make New Moon into the movie that Twilight SHOULD have been and the franchise will grow because of that — grow and get better. It makes sense that they’ve announced Eclipse now and do we really blame Summit for cashing in on their lottery win?
The question is whether Pattinson and Stewart will sign on for the 4th and final part of this escapde. If the powers that be can manage to keep BD out of their hands so they don’t get a chance to actually read and annalyze the WTF that the book is, then possibly. I hate to say it because I love Pattinson and I did enjoy most of the books, but if I were them and BD was on the table as an actual film to be made, I’d run for the hills screaming. That is unless someone comes in and tears that shit apart, rewrites it and comes up with something more tolerable.
And of course THAT could happen.
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha….
Unless they pull off a major coup de théâtre the second movie is gonna bite. They’re audience of teenage girls is growing up fast and like most teenage girls, their taste changes fast.
Even as fast as they may go, it won’t be fast enough. The buzz around “Oh, Edward…” will prolly make the 2nd movie a $$ success but a 3rd. ha, not unless the 2nd is actually a good movie.
Then, their might be hope.
I think they must have to do the movies so close together because, like some others mentioned, the vampires never age so we can’t have people looking way older. Besides, they shot Twilight in like 5 months and look how well it did. No matter what happens, people will go see these movies. And by the way I heard that they had signed on to make Breaking Dawn into a movie as well. Now this could surely be a rumor, but nonetheless it has been reported.
I’m actually somewhat glad it’s coming out at the time it is…It means that I’ll get to see it before I leave to teach in Japan…I’ll then also get to see it when it premeres over there probably around Christmas time.
summit owns the rights to make Breaking Dawn. that was in the trades. what no one know is if the actors are signed on for the 4th book.
Yup I also heard that Breaking Dawn Was Pick up by Summit to be a movie I just hope its True I want to see Bella become a Vampire.
I love the Twilight Series but if they don t make Breaking Dawn into a movie I will go insane! are they just going to stop at eclipse and leave us hanging?
The name “The Twilight Saga” has been used by the publisher Little, Brown and Co for young readers since the release of Eclipse in 2007, so that really wasn’t a “change” by Summit. Also, the plot synopsis is somewhat inaccurate. Bella wanted to be changed into a vampire, the Volturi demanded it happen, Edward’s family (all except Rosalie) wanted her, the problem was Edward not wanting to deprive her of her humanity (this was in New Moon).
For whatever reasons Catherine Hardwicke and Summit parted ways (which is between those two parties), I believe part of Twilight’s success can be attributed to Catherine Hardwicke’s passion for Stephenie’s story of Bella and Edward and desire to keep true to the storyline to the point of involving Stephenie during filming, as well as her relationship with the fanbase, i.e. MTV’s Twilight Tuesdays and approved visits by fansite members. With constant & consistent updates, we anxiously & excitedly awaited the film.
Summit must be aware the movie’s monetary success was attributable to multiple viewings by us “rabid” fans (10-15 times, or more – it would be interesting to find out how many different people saw the movie).
I agree with the comment on the cast’s aging situation, so releasing Eclipse earlier makes sense. But, if they sacrifice quality in the screenplay adaptation, CGI and editing just to churn them out, as well as any large straying from the storyline, I’m afraid the fans will just see it once and wait for the DVD.
I think they are making these movies back to back because they are going to surprise us with Breaking Dawn
i am most certainly excited and ecstatic that the films will be coming out close to each other. i agree with the cast ‘aging’ point that people are making and that the series should be shot closer to each other; the actors’ real “ages” will match up with it in the movie, unlike the Harry Potter franchise, which is a good thing.
the only thing i’m worried about, however, is…. won’t there be a conflict with premieres so close to each other? i mean look: Twilight wasn’t even released in Japan yet and it’s nearly the end of February. If New Moon isn’t released in other countries in the same month/around the same time, won’t there be an issue with filming Eclipse and having to attend premieres?
I think they are making a mistake releasing it this soon after New Moon. Filming it soon is fine, but November and June are so close that it will cause franchise burnout (see the six-month gap between Back to the Future Parts II and III, The Matrix Reloaded/Revolutions, and the two Pirates of the Caribbean sequels as examples of this.) I don’t think there has ever been a case wheree a six-month gap has yeilded a third movie as successful as the other two.
And yet they have a dilema on their hands because Harry Potter is in November 2010, and if they wait until November 2011 the fans will probably have moved on (this is a craze, people, and will not have the staying power of Potter.)
I think the solution is clear to both avoid the franchise burnout snd not go too far between films: Release Eclipse on the first weekend of March 2011. This is the slot where 300 became a huge blockbuster, outpacing everyone’s expectations, and all signs point to Watchmen doing extremely well too. It is far enough away to allow Potter to have played for several months and be on the tail end of its run, but at the same time it is close enough to the second film (16 months) to keep interest up without kiilling it as the six-month gap will. Anticipation is part of the fun.
Plus, as far as I know, no studio has yet claimed March 2011 for a major tentpole, so Summit could stake it out now and have the month to itself in terms of BIG films (like Watchmen is the only massive-scale film going out this March>)
I smell a Narnia curse here. Remember what happened after the 1st Narnia made tons of money for Warden and Disney? The same thing the studio announced of greenlight the rest of the books into movies.
No need for me to tell you what happened to the sequel.
I think Summit should play it safe and take it 1 step at a time. By the way, saw Twilight and sorry to say, it was total crap! But I am no fan-grr..so excuse me!
I think it’s hilarious that so many posts are devoted to a horrible movie franchise based on a bunch of terribly-written novels.
they did not do too bad,considering the movie grossed at # 3 of all times,after dark nigth & spiderman………..isnt it great that we have different taste?
i love that they are releasing eclipse early… but they better take their time if they end it at eclipse it beter be a darn good movie because the way it ends leaves room for the next movie (that they might not make)so it wont make as much if people arent going to see BD
I’m soooo Happy and excited, the third book is my favourite of them all! And I love the Cast!! <3
I think they should continue shooting them this close together but not necessarely release them that close. Since theyre not supposed to age they DO have to have them done soon. But that doesnt mean they have to sabotage the rising fame thats coming with it. Many more people are getting into it and if they do it too soon it’ll be over before it’s REALLY started.
I do agree that making movies to close together does not make for a good movie. To make a good movie you need time. The books were very attention getting. They made you want to read the next because the way the other ended. It would be a huge disappointment if the movies did not live up to the book. Alot of times pertinent things are left out of the movie that were in the book and it becomes disappointing. Twilight compared much so to the book. They were very similar, had a few changes, but still kept you intrigued throughout the movie. If the producers can keep that in the movies they will be doing a good job and will make the money they need to keep the movies going.
nikki -
in all this coverage… from summit to hardwicke to weitz to the actors to meyer to worldwide gross… not one mention of the screenwriter of all three movies: melissa rosenberg. c’mon nikki, you know better than that.
cp in ct
Come on everybody, Twilight the movie was terrible. I really wanted to love it but I can’t even make myself like it.It was rushed with bad special effects and medicore acting. The only reason it did so well is because the books has such a huge fanbase. Those same fans will go see New Moon with high hopes. I think we are all going to be disappointed because Summit is rushing and not giving these movies the time, attention, and the budget they deserve. Instead of being worried about Eclipse, they need to focus on New Moon. Summit is hacking our beloved Twilight triology and fans a supporting it.
Gosh! Why does anyone care how soon after New Moon that Eclipse will come out? I’m a fan and I think its great! Everyone has to all ways have an opinion! I hope Breaking Dawn comes out 8 months after that! I love the books for what they are! Everyone with negative commets are taking this all way to personally! I’m pretty sure they know what they are doing! That’s why its their job, not yours!
im stoked for new moon-but eclipse coming out so soon after..ehhh. i would rather wait a year for eclipse to come out than watch a sucky rushed movie. come on, good things take time!!
Omg omg omg omg omg!!!!!!
I soooo can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xoxo
No, I don’t think it is too early…I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YAY!!!!!
This is AMAZING!
After seeing Twilight, I couldn’t WAIT for the next one!
A year seems like forever and I’m so glad that I won’t have to wait so long for Eclipse, my second fave book!
I love the Twilight series, and I’m definately going to all of the premieres
It’ll make alot of money for sure, the first showing was sold out in EVERY theatre in North America for the first movie!
I really really hope that they make Breaking Dawn into a movie, it’s my favourite book
And I hope they keep the original cast for it :]
Come on everyone. I don’ t see why everyone is making such a big I Idon’t see the big deal about the actor’s ages. Until they’re in their 30′s, it won’t matter. Make-up artists can do wonders, right? They make old people look young and vice versa.
Besides, the movie- and book- were very mediocre. Not good, not bad. Stephenie Meyer is certainly not going to be remembered as a classic like Shakespear or Bronte. I am a fan, but this really just a fad, like Crocs once were and Uggs still are. Great, Eclipse is only 6 months after New Moon. I’m not expecting it to be Oscar- worthy anyway. Besides, in the first place, it is extremely rare for sequels or threequels to be as good as the first movie. I can name very few sequels that earned more money than the first movie.