The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Trailer

First Photo From The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

This first photo from The Twilight Saga: Eclipse featuring Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen and Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan was going to debut in an upcoming issue of People magazine, but it has already made its way online. The third film, directed by David Slade, is coming to theaters on June 30, 2010. The second installment, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, hits theaters next month on November 20th.

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Slade to Direct Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Summit Entertainment announced today that David Slade has been hired to direct The Twilight Saga: Eclipse from a screenplay written by Melissa Rosenberg.

The film is the third in Summit Entertainment's Twilight film franchise based on the Stephenie Meyer's blockbuster book series. It will be released theatrically in North America on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.

Slade's credits include Hard Candy and 30 Days of Night.

In "Eclipse," Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. 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 is confronted with the most important decision of her life.

Source: Summit Entertainment

New Moon to rise as planned

Twilight fans can breathe a sigh of relief after studio executives confirmed the upcoming sequel New Moon will not be affected by an ongoing lawsuit against author Stephenie Meyer.

The writer, who penned the books on which the films are based, is facing legal action from her former college roommate, who alleges Meyer based the novels on a short story she wrote as a student.

The lawsuit was reported to have had severe implications for the film franchise - which stars Robert Pattinson - with internet gossips speculating that the shooting of New Moon in Canada had been halted.

But a spokesperson from Summit Entertainment, the company behind the movie, insists New Moon remains on schedule for a 20 November release.

The rep tells MSNBC.com, “Production is underway, in Vancouver, totally as planned. There is no delay. Whatever you’re hearing about a lawsuit interfering with the film (and) its release, all I can say is it’s totally false.”

Source: Yahoo!

New Moon 'halted over lawsuit'

Twilight sequel New Moon has been thrown into jeopardy - author Stephenie Meyer is facing a plagiarism lawsuit over the vampire franchise, according to reports.

The original 2008 movie - starring Robert Pattinson - was a major international hit and has spawned a follow-up which is currently being shot in Canada. The film franchise is based on the popular book series, written by Meyer.

But production on the second film has reportedly been halted following claims Meyer is facing legal action from her former college roommate, who is said to have accused the writer of basing the books on her ideas.

According to I'mnotobsessed.com, Heidi Stanton - who studied alongside Meyer at Brigham Young University, Utah - claims the vampire books are similar to a short story she wrote when she was a student there.

Stanton filed her lawsuit against Meyer in Utah last Tuesday, alleging idea infringement.

She states in the papers, "Quite frankly, I was shocked when I began watching the movie with my husband last week. I immediately told him that she got that idea from me! I wrote a fictional short story with the same ideas when we were in college together."

Meyer claims the premise for the popular series came to her in a dream in 2003 and she completed the first novel three months later.

And the legal battle has reportedly cast doubt on the highly-anticipated New Moon, with production being "put on hold" until the case is resolved, according to the website.

New Moon is scheduled for release at the end of the year.

Source: Yahoo!

Michael Sheen Joins New Moon

"Underworld" franchise star Michael Sheen is returning to the world of vampires by starring in the sequel to the blockbuster Twilight. In The Twilight Saga's New Moon, Sheen will play play Aro, the leader of an Italian vampire clan called the Volturi.

Director Chris Weitz confirmed Sheen's casting to The Mail on Sunday and said he had "aggressively" pursued the actor.

"Michael's role is so important because he's the head of all vampires," he said. "Aro is, on the surface, a very gracious and friendly vampire, but beneath that he is a tremendous threat."

Sheen, who is best known for such films as The Queen and Frost/Nixon, will join a cast that includes Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Dakota Fanning, Nikki Reed, Chaske Spencer, Bronson Pelletier, Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon, Tyson Houseman and Jamie Campbell-Bower.

In the film, based on author Stephenie Meyer's book series, Bella Swan (Stewart) is devastated by the abrupt departure of her vampire love, Edward Cullen (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.

Summit Entertainment is planning a November 20, 2009 release.

Source: The Mail on Sunday

Jamie Campbell-Bower Joins New Moon

Summit Entertainment has cast British actor Jamie Campbell-Bower in The Twilight Saga's New Moon, which began shooting last week in Vancouver.

Campbell-Bower, whose credits include RockNRolla and Sweeney Todd, will portray a member of the Volturi, an Italy-based coven of vampires.

"New Moon" stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson reprising their "Twilight" roles as Bella and Edward with Chris Weitz directing. The film, centering on Bella being drawn into the world of werewolves while threatened by the Volturi, will be released domestically on Nov. 20.

Source: Variety

Dakota Fanning Confirmed for New Moon

In January, Dakota Fanning said she was in talks to play Jane in the Summit Entertainment sequel The Twilight Saga's New Moon.

Now, People has confirmed that she is officially on board.

The 15-year-old actress is set to star as a sinister vampire with an angelic exterior who works for the Volturi.

Filming of the Twilight sequel is set to begin in Vancouver later this month. The movie hits theaters on November 20, 2009.

"We did just get a script. We're shooting the rest of the films back to back," said Nikki Reed, who plays Rosalie Hale in the film.

Source: People

Barrymore May Direct The Twilight Saga's Eclipse?

Entertainment Weekly is reporting the rumor that Drew Barrymore is in the running to direct Summit Entertainment's The Twilight Saga's Eclipse, the third installment of the series based on Stephenie Meyer's books.

Chris Weitz is replacing Catherine Hardwicke in the director's chair for The Twilight Saga's New Moon, but with the release dates so close to one another ("New Moon" is Nov. 20, 2009 and "Eclipse" is June 30, 2010), can't take on both films.

Barrymore just wrapped her feature directorial debut, Whip It!.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Date for The Twilight Saga's Eclipse Already Set

Summit Entertainment has officially greenlit The Twilight Saga's Eclipse with a release date of June 30, 2010.

Summit's expected to begin production shortly on The Twilight Saga's New Moon, the second film. Chris Weitz replaced Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke on "New Moon" with the key actors reprising their roles -- Robert Pattinson as Edward, Kristen Stewart as Bella and Taylor Lautner as Jacob.

Summit hasn't yet selected a director for "Eclipse."

Twilight has earned $189 million domestically and another $174 million overseas.

Source: Variety

Twilight Blu-Ray Collection Coming

Amazon's offering something extra to the Twilight fans out there with Blu-Ray players. On May 5th, the site will release the "Ultimate Collector's Edition." Here are the specs!

Amazon.com Exclusive Collector's Set contains:

• Twilight (Special Edition) Blu-ray Disc

• Twilight Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD

• Jewelry Box: individually numbered

• Exclusive Watch

• Limited Edition Charm Bracelet

• 6 Glossy Photo Cards

• Bookmark

• Certificate of Authenticity

Blu-ray Disc features:

• Presented in widescreen format only

• Audio commentary by Catherine Hardwicke, Kristen Stewart, and Robert Pattinson

• Muse music video: "Super Massive Black Hole"

• Paramore music video: "Decode"

• Linkin Park music video: "Leave Out All the Rest"

• Five extended scenes with director introductions

• Five deleted scenes with director introductions

• Seven-part documentary: "The Adventure Begins: The Journey from Page to Screen"

• Comic-Con "fandom" piece

• Comic-Con NY sizzle reel

• Three trailers

• Penelope trailer

• BD Live with "New Moon" teaser

Those who would rather not way can get the film on DVD March 21st in a 2-disc special edition. A Blu-Ray edition, without the above frills, is being exclusively offered at Best Buy and Target at that time too.

Source: Amazon

Details on New Moon's Italy Shoot

The Twilight sequel New Moon rolls cameras in Vancouver this March.

Shortly after, however, director Chris Weitz and his team are packing up and heading overseas where, according to Variety, the follow-up will "will shoot in the ancient Tuscan city of Volterra in May for two weeks. In Stephenie Meyer's bestselling New Moon tome, Volterra is the town where the powerful Volturi vampire coven reside. Dakota Fanning is reportedly in talks to play a teen Volturi vamp, while Twilightstars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are on board."

In New Moon, Bella Swan is devastated by the abrupt departure of her vampire love, Edward Cullen 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.

Source: Variety

Stephen King Speaks Out About Twilight

When it comes to Twilight author Stephenie Meyer, you can't say Stephen King's a fan.

King said in an interview with USA Weekend, "Both [J.K.] Rowling and Meyer, they're speaking directly to young people... The real difference is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephenie Meyer can't write worth a darn. She's not very good."

Ouch.

He goes on to explain the draw surrounding Meyer's series: "People are attracted by the stories, by the pace and in the case of Stephenie Meyer, it's very clear that she's writing to a whole generation of girls and opening up kind of a safe joining of love and sex in those books. It's exciting and it's thrilling and it's not particularly threatening because it's not overly sexual."

Source: USA Weekend

Dakota Fanning Cast in New Moon?

E! Online is reporting the rumor that Dakota Fanning (upcoming Coraline and Push) is in talks to play Jane in New Moon, the upcoming sequel to Twilight.

Jane is a member of Italy's Volturi, the most deadly group of bloodsucking killers in author Stephenie Meyer's best-selling series.

Chris Weitz will direct the sequel, to again star Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, for a November 20 release.

Source: E! Online

Twilight DVD Date, Art

Summit Entertainment has announced the vampire drama Twilight is tentatively slated to hit DVD on March 21st. That's a four month turnaround for the successful adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's novel which opened November 21st. No specs have been announced, but you can probably bet on a few making-of featurettes and, according to the director, a slew of deleted scenes.

To date, Twilight has grossed $177 million domestically and $262 million worldwide.

Taylor Lautner Reprising Twilight Role

Despite rumors that he would be replaced, Taylor Lautner will reprise his role as Jacob Black in New Moon, Summit Entertainment's sequel to its hit Twilight.

Summit and director Chris Weitz made the announcement Wednesday.

In New Moon, the Jacob Black character becomes a central figure in the plot as Bella Swan is drawn into the world of the werewolves, the ancestral enemies of vampires.

Weitz noted there has been speculation about whether Lautner could portray the character who goes through many changes physically, including growing taller and bulkier and aging 10 years. The 16-year-old Lautner has been spending time in the gym, trying to add 19 pounds of muscle.

Weitz added that Lautner is "emotionally right" for the part.

Lautner joins castmates Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in New Moon, set to begin production soon for a Nov. 20 release.