With filming on the 'Twilight' sequel 'New Moon' already underway in Canada, Summit Entertainment is wasting no time in sinking its teeth into production on 'Eclipse,' the third film in author Stephanie Meyer's hit vampire saga.After months of speculation as to who would land the coveted gig, the studio announced yesterday that horror director David Slade ('Hard Candy,' '30 Days of Night') will succeed Paul Weitz at the franchise's helm, continuing the trend of bringing in a new director for each film.
While Drew Barrymore, whose name was also bandied about as a potential directorial candidate, is probably a bit disappointed, 'Twilight' fans have plenty of cause for excitement. Here's a rundown of what's been revealed about 'Eclipse' thus far -- and why it bodes well for diehard aficionados of the obsession-inducing series. -- By Tom DiChiara
Vampires are old hat for David Slade.
After proving he could create a nuanced thriller with the Ellen Page-starrer 'Hard Candy,' Slade showed his affinity for vamps with 2008's blood-soaked romp '30 Days of Night.' So although he's a relatively untested director with only two features under his belt, Slade has the experience where it counts. Expect his 'Twilight' go-around to be spectacle-driven and perhaps a wee bit more hardcore on the violence.
The Edward-Bella-Jacob love triangle will come to a head.
In the third book -- and thus the third film -- Bella Swann (Kristen Stewart) is forced to choose between vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). Who will she choose? C'mon, you know.
Robert Pattinson Photos
(R-L) Actors Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson attend the "Twilight" Japan Premiere at Ebisu Garden Place on February 27, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open to the public on April 4 in Japan. "Twilight" Japan Premiere Tokyo, Japan February 27, 2009 Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage.com To license this image (56863544), contact WireImage.com
Jun Sato/WireImage.com
(R-L) Actors Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson attend the "Twilight" Japan Premiere at Ebisu Garden Place on February 27, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open to the public on April 4 in Japan. "Twilight" Japan Premiere Tokyo, Japan February 27, 2009 Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage.com To license this image (56863542), contact WireImage.com
Jun Sato/WireImage.com
Actor Robert Pattinson attends the "Twilight" Japan Premiere at Ebisu Garden Place on February 27, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open to the public on April 4 in Japan. "Twilight" Japan Premiere Tokyo, Japan February 27, 2009 Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage.com To license this image (56863573), contact WireImage.com
Jun Sato/WireImage.com
Actor Robert Pattinson attends the "Twilight" Japan Premiere at Ebisu Garden Place on February 27, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open to the public on April 4 in Japan. "Twilight" Japan Premiere Tokyo, Japan February 27, 2009 Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage.com To license this image (56863568), contact WireImage.com
Jun Sato/WireImage.com
(R-L) Actors Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson attend the "Twilight" Japan Premiere at Ebisu Garden Place on February 27, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open to the public on April 4 in Japan. "Twilight" Japan Premiere Tokyo, Japan February 27, 2009 Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage.com To license this image (56863530), contact WireImage.com
Jun Sato/WireImage.com
Actor Robert Pattinson attends the "Twilight" press conference at Ebisu Garden Place on February 27, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open to the public on April 4 in Japan. "Twilight" Press Conference Tokyo, Japan February 27, 2009 Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage.com To license this image (56863351), contact WireImage.com
Jun Sato/WireImage.com
Actor Robert Pattinson attends the "Twilight" press conference at Ebisu Garden Place on February 27, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open to the public on April 4 in Japan. "Twilight" Press Conference Tokyo, Japan February 27, 2009 Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage.com To license this image (56863320), contact WireImage.com
Jun Sato/WireImage.com
Actor Robert Pattinson attends the "Twilight" press conference at Ebisu Garden Place on February 27, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open to the public on April 4 in Japan. "Twilight" Press Conference Tokyo, Japan February 27, 2009 Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage.com To license this image (56863306), contact WireImage.com
Jun Sato/WireImage.com
Actors Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson attend the "Twilight" press conference at Ebisu Garden Place on February 27, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open to the public on April 4 in Japan. "Twilight" Press Conference Tokyo, Japan February 27, 2009 Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage.com To license this image (56863243), contact WireImage.com
Jun Sato/WireImage.com
Actors Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson attend the "Twilight" press conference at Ebisu Garden Place on February 27, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open to the public on April 4 in Japan. "Twilight" Press Conference Tokyo, Japan February 27, 2009 Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage.com To license this image (56863241), contact WireImage.com
Jun Sato/WireImage.com
Melissa Rosenberg is writing the screenplay.
Though the director has changed on each successive flick in the 'Twilight' saga -- Catherine Hardwicke directed the first, Paul Weitz took over on 'New Moon' -- screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg has been a constant. With the scripts for 'Twilight' and 'New Moon' under her belt, Rosenberg is already cranking on her adaptation of 'Eclipse.' And it's a good thing, too, because ...
'Eclipse' is set to hit theaters in little more than a year.
The next two 'Twilight' installments have boldly set not-too-distant release dates: 'New Moon' is set to rise in theaters on Nov. 20, 2009, while a total 'Eclipse' of the box office is scheduled to occur when the third chapter in the Edward-Bella saga bows on June 30, 2010.
Reader Comments (1)
RUTH at 9:33AM on Oct 3rd 2009
I WAS HAPPY TO LET MY FRIEND MAKE ME READ THE BOOK, IM NOT A READER AND NOW I CANT PUT THE BOOK DOWN....LOOKING FOWARD TO EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH TWILIGHT