'Twilight' Countdown: Will the sequels get made?

4 days left...

As many of you read on Friday, my former colleague and pal Steven Zeitchik at the Hollywood Reporter wrote a story about Summit Entertainment ramping up development on the next two films in the "Twilight" franchise:

The company has acquired rights to the next three novels in Stephenie Meyer's blockbuster vampire series and has hired "Twilight" scribe Melissa Rosenberg to pen scripts based on "New Moon" and "Eclipse," the second and third books, respectively.

Rosenberg has said that she would adapt anything Meyer writes and sources tell the Countdown that, in fact, she is already at work condensing "New Moon" into a feature-length script.

The movie's director Catherine Hardwicke told Entertainment weekly that "Twilight" would have to gross $150 million for the studio to give a sequel the go. ''This has to be a crazy hit,'' she said. ''Nobody can say that it can do that well right now.''

To put that in some perspective, the most recent "Harry Potter" film ("Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix") grossed more than $292 million in the United States alone. And the lowest-grossing of the franchise ("Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban") made almost $250 million in the U.S.

But the Potter movies are also considered family films, which appeal to a larger broader audience. A better comparison might be the female-skewing "Sex and the City," which in spite of its R rating made more than $152 million domestically.

It's not clear whether or not Hardwicke meant $150 million total (in the U.S. and abroad), but do you think "Twilight" can hit that mark? Is it a slam dunk? Are you planning to see the movie more than once to make sure "New Moon" will be brought to life?

Vote in our poll and leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

Come back tomorrow to read my exclusive interview with Stephenie Meyer, who talked about missing face time with her fans, debating Edward with star Robert Pattinson, and which scene from the "Twilight" book she asked to have added to the movie.

***A note to fans in the Los Angeles Area: Today (Sunday, Nov. 16) Twilight Live and Twilight Series Theories will be hosting a live podcast from inside the Westwood Borders (1360 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA). Wristbands ensuring access will be handed out when the store opens at 10 a.m. so get there early. Actors Peter Facinelli (Carlisle), Jackson Rathbone (Jasper) and Michael Welch (Mike) will be on hand. The event itself begins at 1:30 p.m. with a concert by the Twilight Music Girls.

Catch up on past Countdown interviews: Robert Pattinson (Parts 1, 2 and 3), Kristen Stewart, director Catherine Hardwicke (Parts 1 and 2), screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, Peter Facinelli, Edi Gathegi and Taylor Lautner.

-- Denise Martin

Related:
Complete "Twilight" Countdown coverage
Complete "Twilight" coverage on Hero Complex

Photo: Fans wait for "Twilight" stars Kristen Stewart and Nikki Reed at Hot Topic in the Garden State Plaza on November 14, 2008 in Paramus, New Jersey. Credit: WireImage

Comments

[blodyn]

they have to make the sequels!!!

[Joy]

Twilight can EASILY make 150 million. I predict that within the first week it will make that much.

[Lisa Morgan]

without a doubt Twilight will gross over $150 mil. That is a no brainer. I think they just don't want to jump the gun and have fans pissed if the sequels were to fall through. MTV did a special this weekend called Spotlight" were they talked to some of the cast members on a red carpet. To me...it sounded like T.L. let it slip that there would be sequels... JMO, but I know it will hit that mark.
I already bought my tickets for the 21st 2 weeks ago!!

[Amanda]

If the movies are anything like the books, they're definitely going to be a huge hit. Even though the first movie hasn't been released yet, I'm already looking forward to all of the books being made into movies. They're too good to not want more!

[Lunah]

It definitely will
NOT
make that amount.
Harry Potter hit that mark because it is GOOD.
Unlike Twilight.
And since only young teen girls, generally, will see it, that's a DRAMATICALLY smaller audience.

No sequels are coming, thank GODS.

[Cindy]

All of this box-office talk makes me nervous and excited. There are days when I think Twilight will do decently, but that it won't live up to its hype. Then there are days when I feel certain that this WILL be a huge, huge hit. I'll definitely do my part by going and seeing it a handful of times...and taking my 3 sisters along with me.

[cara]

am i alone in thinking that breaking dawn will NEVER become a movie?

[meri]

"am i alone in thinking that breaking dawn will NEVER become a movie?"

I think so too.. maybe new moon will be a success but then it just go down.. if they continue with the low-budget those werewolf-effects will not look good..

[olivia]

breaking dawn would be a horrid movie! the birth scene? creepy cgi nessie? not to mention the final confrontation (and plot in general) would be so boring.

[Angie]

I'm going 6 times!!!! With a diffren t group of friends each time!!!!
No doubt in my mind that it's going to make{atleast} the 150 million they need to make the sequel. Especially since they're getting $200 from me opening weekend alone. {Not counting the times I'm gonna go during thanksgiving break!!!

[Leah]

I am confident that it will make enough money. But I am scared that because we all assume it will make enough money, nobody will go see it several times. If everyone did that it wouldn't make enough! I hope all fans go several times.

I love the books and I really hope the next three get made into movies!

[Shelby]

I'm hoping it will make that much! I already have tickets for the midnight showing with two of my friends, and huge group of other people from my school are going midnight too--like at least ten people. i also have two tickets for friday night to see it with my mom. i hope they make all of the movies, but if they make breaking dawn they might have to pull a star wars thing and come back like a long time from now just so they have the right sort of technology to do it.

[Twilight will be a hit for sure!!]

Twilight (and the sequels) are great stories. I am sure the movie is going to hit more than 150M. I will go as many times as possible.

[Bree]

I actually am hoping they DON'T make BD into a movie...I didn't like it that much...maybe it could end at Eclipse with Edward giving Bella the wedding ring?

[Sashaa]

While I am totally obsessed with books, I don't think the movie will be as good and hope they don't ruin the other three books by making them into movies! I will remain a loyal fan by going to see the movie (once) but definitely feel that the casting is all WRONG! I like the actors and feel that they have done a great job on other movies but they don't live up to the high standards that Stephanie Meyer has set forth in all four books, nor will they be able to find any actors to fit those standards.

[Maya]

I hope that Twilight will make $150 million and I am much looking forward to actually seeing the movie. I'm sad that Harry Potter fans are making such a big fuss about the next movie being bumped into next year. I'm sure they had their reasons; can't the public just be patient?! The movie will be worth the wait. Also, if you're going to post something negative, find another site...something like anti-Twilight, so that the people who do like to hear and write about the books/movie don't have to be interrupted by negativity. Get ready for Nov. 21!!!

[kay]

i def think it will make 150 mil! the books have sold like crazy over the past few years there are people obsessed like myself i have all books red them all i have a robert p cutout as edward cullen posters shirts everything! im planing on seeing the movie every chance i get and im seeing it difrent days with difrent friends. I personally do not think it will be as good as the books though.. and i hope there will be sequals but if there going to do the sequals they need to have really good graphics and effects for the werewolfs and such maybe as good as the graphics in i am legend

[Stacey]

I have read all four books, and am very excitied to see all of them on the big screen. I don't agree that the sequels will fail, take a moment and look around at the thousands of people reading the TWLIGHT series, or listen as people discuss them, it's amazing just how many people love this series and are extremely excited about the hope of seeing them all on the big screen. I honestly beleive that the TWLIGHT series will be a big success.

[Brittney]

well...considering i read somewhere the twilight had sold out in around 500 theaters by the end of LAST week...i it has a pretty good shot of hitting the $150 mil marker.

[tlodean]

Ok, if Sex and City which was geared at woman could make the 150 million Twilight should have no problem. This movie is speaking to a wider audience no matter what anyone thinks. Speaking as a straight married man with kids who is 29 years old, the books had me and I have reread all of them at least twice so I am sure I will see the movie more then I have read the book. In fact my daughter and I are seeing it twice on opening weekend cause that was what she wanted to do on our day out.

The other thing people keep forgetting is that IF only teenage girls go see this movie they will no be alone. Boyfriends will be involved, and if not then it will be a girls night. I also know plenty of guys, (college, teen and married)that are planning on going and lots of woman going out in groups too so there will be a large crowd besides girls there as well.

But we will have to see come monday when the numbers come in, I think everyone will be surprised - dropping $25 for a book no problem for teens with expendable money, so $8-$10 for movie tickets to see a book they love on the screen totally worth it.

[amos]

I am inclined to agree with you tlodean...I am 26 and married and my husband is almost addicted to the books as I am...as well as my mother and sisters cousins...we as a group are all going with significant others to see the movie on Friday...and my husband and I are hitting the movie again on Saturday for date night....Now my dad and brother in law haven't read the book but they are going because my mom and sis are going as well as my husband and sisters boyfriend who have read the books and love them...my husband is on the road for work alot and bought the series on cd so he could listen to them when he was driving...there is no doubt in my mind that the sequels will be made and I am really hoping that they do make breaking dawn a movie because I am interested to see how that turns out...and in light of all the complaining about the possibility of BD being made into a movie and the anti-climatic ending of that book I would like to remind yall that Breaking Dawn is not definitely the last book in the story....only the last book from Bella's perspective...so that may not be the final ending for our beloved story after all...only the end from one character's point of view....SM has said in articles that she may choose to pick up the story from someone else's side could be anyone but she was leaning towards Nessie or Leah I believe...can't remember exactly where I read it or heard it or whatever but I do know it was in an interview...

[zonie]

I have absolutely no doubt the sequels will be made. This movie is going to SCORE! I'm a 54 yo RN and this book is sweeping through my hospital right now. Adult RN's CNA's Resp Therapists, etc are reading it. If I take the book out anywhere I get comments on it by other women. It's not just for young adults. Friday a group of 5 of us are going to see it. One in her 20's, one in her 30's, me in my 50's and two in their 60's. The 7pm shows on Friday are pretty much sold out already all over Phoenix. It's going to be HUGE! Plus. People are going to see them repeatedly because all the girls are in love with Edward. Girls of all ages. The bar has been set much higher for boyfriends all around America!

[excited]

hey, in every theatre in my state the midnight tickets were sold out within 20 min. i dont think anyone has anything to worry about, all te movie theatres are booked up for weeks

[Natasha]

i think twilight will hit that $150mil mark.

in my school (all-girls), nearly every girl is reading or has read it and are planning to go watch it at the cinema with friends and BFs.

i believe that it does reach out to a wider audience than sex and the city...i have girls in my school that ave ever read an entire book, let alone an entire series and they have all finished the twilight series

my sis is taking me to see it and i cant wait
i have to wait until december 13th though...

and to those negative people who dont like the series, no one is forcing you to watch the series...there are plenty of other movies to watch

[veronica]

I love the series, except for the end of Breaking Dawn, I really was into it , the author built up the excitement and climax at the end, and then nothing happened! It was over, I understand where and why she went in that direction with the story but it was disappointing, but only one part in one book isn't going to ruin the series for me, I'm pretty sure even the so called die hard fans have different views of scenarios they wish would of played out differently, but alas to the question at hand, if the movie is good, and thru word of mouth, it will make $150 mil and thensome, otherwise it won't and the studio, unforunately for us fans, would be hard pressed to make the sequels.
P.S. And for all the other fans of other series like Harry Potter, who I love as well, you can't compare the series ' cause they may be in the same genre, fantasy, but the storylines are different, they are both great in different ways!

[Jessie]

Twilight is going to rock the world Im sure it will make more that $150 mill. ome im about to go see it right now!!!!

[Jessie]

Breaking dawn was the best book for me I cried and i did in all the others too if u were true twlight fans you would support twilight some of you are like 'oh breaking dawn will be horrible blah blah blah' well did you even read the ->book <- correctly? it was awesome so i dont know what you guys are talking about

[joseph]

i just took my gf to see this movie, i read the books, she hadnt. i can honestly say some parts of the movie people laughed at that werent meant to be funny, and also, the special effects were low, you could tell it was a low budget film. but never the less, i enjoyed it and want them to continue, however with better people doing the spfx, maybe they can afford it with the success of twilight

[Vasili]

To start I want to say any other dudes like me that think its too girly its not. It was really cool even for a guy. Twilight will make the 150 mil mark. I saw it tonight. It was awesome and the premiere theater was full. It was sooo full we had tro sit in the front row with our naecks completely burning with pain staring upward. I really enjoyed the movie. I read the books and the moveie was just awesome. You should see it.

[Michael Madelle]

alright, today is the 21st. Opening day for twilight in the united states. I went this evening with a 3 friends to see it. i walked in at 5 and every show had been sold out since noon until midnight,.. IN ADVANCE. my theater had approximately 20 showings all day in 250 person+ theaters. at 12 dollars a ticket i dont think they will have any trouble making enough cash for a sequel. We got lucky because as we walked in i said to one of my friends that it sucked that we couldnt see it and a woman approached us and said she had four extra tickets and gave them to us for 10 dollars. we were able to see it and it was a very good movie. there were parts that were a little altered from the book and a couple that could have been fixed up a bit but all in all the movie itself was great. it was a little girly and al the teenaged girls screaming and ooh-ahhing everytime edward came on screen was a little obnoxious but it wasnt unbearable. The three of us are all on the football team and we still loved it. They leave it WIDE open for a sequel anyways at the end. not going to give any spoilers but IF they were to decide not to make the sequel, EVERY viewer would be very upset due to the way the movie ends.

The twilight book series is very detailed about the emotional bonds between the characters and it is very hard to portray that on film leaving it vulnerable to unintenionally funny parts and scenes of awkwardness, but as isaid, it didnt detract from the movie it more or less added to it

i give the movie a 4.5 out of 5 easy.

[Michael Madelle]

amazing movie

[jeff]

My Girlfriend is obsessed with these books. last night she took me to see the movie and for a guy who hates chick flicks and hated those books. i have to admit the movie really wasnt that bad. although its romantic the fight scenes have amazing graphic effects and the intense emotion really got me going the whole movie. im not so sure about the sequel but i have a feeling the box office is going to be around harry potter.

[Clvington]

ok..... i have my doubts on the new moon making cause i keep on checking on the internet like know to know how much it made..........and OME it made $7 million in it's FIRST HOUR!!!!!!
I'll be watching it like gazilions of time. And i'll be sleeping over night to get the DVD and twilight guide coming soon !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Niki]

They just announced that they ARE going to make the NEW MOON MOVIE...so hahaha to all you haters out there. Anyway, Twilight was great and I thought that they did a really good job with the resources they had. I don't understand how people expect a movie to be EXACTLY like the book...please...be real....it was wonderful. Robert and Kristen were amazing...no one better for those roles at all...perfection to the max!

I love how people keep saying that it is all young girls who will see this....I saw the movie twice... the first time it was a theater full of Housewives...they were all in their 40's...going to the movie while the kids were in school...the second time it was a theater full of everyone from young, young children to seniors...they profile the fans into such an acute population, when in reality it is all across the board.

[gabbzsterr]

If they don't make the sequels i'm gonna cry.

[Tracy]

I very very much hope that Twilight will gross more than $150 million. I have been a fan of the books since they first came out and am a co-president of my high school's Twilight fan club. I know that teen girls will make up most of the movie's fanbase--you go, girls! Twilighters forever!--but really think that the books are growing to appeal to a broader audience. There are guys in my fan club. I attended the movie Friday night with a group of eleven--four of which were guys.
I encourage all Twilighters to go out and see the movie multiple times. Come on. Harry Potter? That lame wizard was never as hot as Edward Cullen! I saw the movie Thursday night in a ten o'clock prescreening with my boyfriend, on Friday with the group, and am planning to go Saturday night with my parents and sister. Sunday I have plans to see it yet again with three friends who were unable to go Friday night. That's four times in four days! But I can't convince Summit and Catherine Hardwicke to make New Moon the movie on my own. I'm calling on the rest of the Twilighters here, because I know we can do this. We can show the entertainment industry that J.K. Rowling is not queen. We can make people forget about Bolt and Quantum of Solace. We can make the box office respect the teenage girl demographic like they never have before. Everyone has underestimated us. Now let's go out and show them all! Seeing Twilight ten times is not excessive!

[startwi]

There will be new moon its predicted to be out 2010 woo class of 2010!! .... who knows about bd tho umm it will be cool if they make it.. And about only girls see the movie its not true I went to the midnight show I got there at 10 pm and it was already sold out there was teachers, couples, single guys girls, moms, dads I didn't see little kids tho under 11 oh and it was funny cos there was a grandma wearing team edward shirt lol the movie was great I loved it tho my cousin didn't but she's just a hater . Yeah the only thing I didn't like was stupid annoying girls kept ohhing and awwing everytime edward would come out or jacob and they just kept cheering for everything it was really annoying cos I couldnt hear sometimes what they said but other than that it was great ill probably go again later so I can watch it in peace

[ramster]

okayyy i saw the movie and thought it was amazin! i mean at first i thought wat the hell? but thts because i had HIGH expectations for a movie that was low budget, independent, and not expecting to be a known by the entire world! i thought they did a great job for wat they were given. i hope they do make all of the other books into movies. i read SM rough draft of Midnight Sun- from edwards point of view and it was absolutely AMAZING. i mean if breaking dawn is made into a movie (which it prbly will) tht doesnt mean its the last book or movie. It may just end in Bellas perspective. i mean SM already wrote half of Midnight Sun in Edwards point of view before the whole publishing thing happend which i think was the most hurtful thing you could do just by the way! I hope she does finish that book and continue on either in Edwards point of view or Nessie's.

and this whole thing about only girls are the audience is absurd!!!!!!!! i mean like other people above me ahve said, boyfriends, husbands, and friends have read these books to and are obsessed as much as girls are too! give it a break already.

[Elainna]

I loved the twilight film, but like alot of people say it was different from the book and I think that Robert could've acted more overprotective and Kristen more careless like they were in the book, but all in all it was a good movie. I hope they do make New Moon exceptionally better though.....

[kaylee]

i had a really hard time getting into the book but after seeing my mom of all people read a book and wanting to keep going till the end it made me really interested, so i decided to read the first book before going and seeing the movie open night and i couldn't wait till i got to the next book. i have seen the movie twice now and hoping to go see it agian soon.

[Jamie]

Twilight was a FANTASTIC movie. If they don't make the sequels I may never go to the theatre again. I keep hearing peolpe complain that it was such a low budget film...WHO CARES. The story line is what matters, and it is fantastic. The actors were great and I am sooooooo thankful that they stuck to the book and didn't add any Hollywood fluff. I thought it was perfect and will probably see it again in theatre. By the way, my 9 year old son loved it too...he wants to be Edward!!!!

[kristina]

i went to see it twice

[Megan]

I enjoyed twilight. I love the books and I'm glad the movie did some justice to it. But seriously the annoying screaming girls that would clap and have seizures every time Edward would come on screen was a major distraction and kind of ruined the movie for me. But I'm going to go see it again once the crowds settle down

[Abby]

OMG they have to make the sequels! I love the books so much that I bought every one of them and i reread them! The way the first movie followed the book so well, they will have no trouble pulling in $150 million if not more- way more! I love the Harry Potter series, but this one is so much better! If you read the books or watch the movie, you will find yourself fallin in love with Edward Cullen, which is why so many teenage girls are going to want to see it over and over. Not only that, but the cast members will appeal to both girls and guys- if you no what i mean! but, for me, it's not just that, it's the story line- it's a cross between romeo and juliet, harry potter (fantasy), and modern day life. I love it! they have to make the sequels- everyone will be wanting more and more if they see the movie- i have already seen it 3 times!

[apollonia]

I'ts been a while since somthing exciting happend in the thearter. People where waiting for this movie for a long time. People are itching for the others to come out.....Come on make it awsome!!! the first one was:)

[vila gife]

I've personally watched this movie more than 5 times and i pray to god they do make the sequels cause i just have to know what happens next. i know that they can make twice as much money than harry potter's movie and if any thing if the sequels are anything as good as the first they'll make triple of what they did the first time i pray they do make the sequels i really can't wait till the next movie comes out

[Sexy Cheese Cracker]

I'm begging that they will make the sequel!!!!!!! :)

People at my school where mad becuase they didn't put EVERY SINGLE DETIAL FROM THE BOOK IN THE MOVIE, but I tried to tell them it would make better sence if they read the book first and plus it would be to LONG if they did.

Twilight Rules :)

[Fufu]

I will scream out loud if New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn aren't made. I read all the books and now I'm totally in LOVE with Robert Pattinson!!!

[Shih Tzu lover]

I love this movie! I've already seen it twice and wish i could see it again. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!! I so hope they come out with the sequels. ( OH and about the Twilight series being better than the Harry Potter Series) Its way better than Harry Potter, i mean in the Harry Potter series i kinda got bored at certain points but with Twilight i couldn't put the book down. Oh! and about only girls seeing it. I have a friend who's a guy and he was reading the book even before me! So guys read the book and go see the movie!

I LOVE TWILIGHT!!!!!!!!