Summit Entertainment announced today that filmmaker Chris Weitz has been hired to direct the second film in the studio's "Twilight" film franchise. The film, New Moon, is based on the second book in author Stephenie Meyer's blockbuster book series. The announcement was made by Erik Feig, Summit's President of Production.
Weitz, an Academy Award®-nominated writer, director and producer, has a proven track record working with a broad range of material dealing with youth-oriented characters, fantasy and action. As such, he has the potential to bring alive in New Moon the dimensions and depth that fans will demand in the next installment.
Feig stated, "We love Stephenie Meyer's fantastic 'Twilight' series. Thinking long and hard about how to turn 'New Moon' into the amazing movie we know it will be, and working with Stephenie Meyer to find the right candidate, we are thrilled to announce Chris Weitz as director of the film. Chris very much understands the world of 'New Moon' and has the skill set required to bring the book to glorious life as a movie. We think he will be an excellent steward of Stephenie Meyer's vision."
"I am honored to have been entrusted with shepherding 'New Moon' from the page to the screen," said Weitz. "The extraordinary world that Stephenie has created has millions of fans, and it will be my duty to protect on their behalf the characters, themes and story they love. This is not a task to be taken lightly, and I will put every effort into realizing a beautiful film to stand alongside a beautiful book."
Weitz previously penned About a Boy, which led to an Academy Award Nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2002, and adapted and directed The Golden Compass (2007), which was nominated for two Academy Awards and won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Additionally, Weitz co-wrote the 1998 animated film Antz and went on to produce the major box office success American Pie and executive produced the film's two theatrical sequels. Weitz also produced In Good Company starring Dennis Quaid and Topher Grace and executive produced American Dreamz starring Hugh Grant, Dennis Quaid and Mandy Moore.
In New Moon, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is devastated by the abrupt departure of her vampire love, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) but her spirit is rekindled by her growing friendship with the irresistible Jacob Black. Suddenly she finds herself drawn into the world of the werewolves, ancestral enemies of the vampires, and finds her loyalties tested. Production on New Moon is scheduled to begin in the coming months and the studio is planning to release the film towards the end of 2009 or early 2010.
Feig will oversee New Moon for the studio along with Summit Entertainment's Director of Production Gillian Bohrer.
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