'Twilight' sequel 'New Moon' gets the greenlight from Summit

UPDATE: "Twilight" will take in a staggering $70.6 million for the weekend. How many times are you going to see it?

Good news "Twilight" fans — "New Moon" is officially on the way.

After news broke that the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's vampire romance made a big $35.7 million in its first day of release — the second biggest opening day gross outside of summer after "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" — Summit greenlighted production on the sequel "New Moon."

Here's the word from Summit Entertainment:

Los Angeles, CA November 22, 2008 — Summit Entertainment announced today that the studio is officially moving forward with the production of NEW MOON, the second installment of its filmed franchise TWILIGHT, the action-packed, modern day vampire love story. The movie will be based on the second novel in author Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, titled New Moon. The first movie in the TWILIGHT franchise, the self-titled TWILIGHT, arrived in theaters this weekend to sold-out showings.

Stephenie Meyer stated, "I don't think any other author has had a more positive experience with the makers of her movie adaptation than I have had with Summit Entertainment. I'm thrilled to have the chance to work with them again on NEW MOON."

This isn't a big surprise. But, given the early fan reaction — which has ranged from ecstasy to, well, plain unhappy -- is this a good thing? (Or is that a stupid question?)

Is there anything you'd like to see that was left out of "Twilight" included in the "New Moon" movie? (Say, Carlisle's history with the Volturi, perhaps?)

And what about the Jacob dilemma? Is someone starting a "Keep Taylor Lautner" campaign? Do you all want to see him as older-looking werewolf Jacob? If not, which actors would you like to see cast in the role?

As usual, I want to hear all your thoughts and concerns. Leave them below!

Catch up on past Countdown interviews: Robert Pattinson (Parts 1, 2 and 3), Kristen Stewart, author Stephenie Meyer, 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

Comments

[Malaina]

YAY!!! I am so excited, the movie was amazing (I just saw it for the second time tonight). The one thing I want to see in New Moon that was not in Twilight is Jaspers ability to control emotions...other that that I am happy. I am sure they will do Carlisles history in New Moon since they end up in Italy!!

[JOHANNA [twilight lover]]

i loved Twilight! i think it was really cute and they make a great couple in the movie. im looking forward to New Moon. i really hope they get a bigger budget to work on New Moon because it deserves to be amazing. they will make up for it with all the money they will make on it because so many people read Twilight so ofcourse they read New Moon and all they other books. they will do great! im so excited!

[Sarah]

Keep Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black!

[elissa]

I loved the movie saw it opening day.
but i would have liked to have included Carlisle's history,and the scene in the book where she is in the hospital hooked up to a heart monitor and edward walks up to her and the monitor starts going crazy.
i love taylor(jacob) and if the cast someone else for his role i would be furious.
overall i can not wait till new moon comes out.

[Jada]

I absolutlyy loved all the books.
&& I was soo thrilled to see the movie for Twilight:)
I have to say I thought it could have been better but it was still amazinggg
I really hope to see more movies fom the saga in the near future:)
I'm not a huge fan of Jacob in the books but, definitly Taylor should be the actor for his part
All the casts needs to stay the same!

[Macey]

I'm so excited. I thought all the actors did an amazing job, and i absolutely can not wait. I know it is probably too soon to tell, but does anyone know the estimated time until the relese date of New Moon? haha. plus, Robert Pattinson is beautiful!

[Macey]

I'm so excited. I thought all the actors did an amazing job, and i absolutely can not wait. I know it is probably too soon to tell, but does anyone know the estimated time until the relese date of New Moon? haha. plus, Robert Pattinson is beautiful!

[Victoria Dominguez]

i was a little dissapointed in the lack of details in the movie ( little things like the size of edwards room, and the cabinets in bellas house not being yellow) but i'm such a crazed fan of the books i loved it anyways!!! Can't wait to see new moon! I hope they give the viewer more of a chance to feel connected to the cullen family and what they really stand for though.

[Kayleigh]

I don't know about everyone else who read the book, but I was VERY disapointed with the movie. Even if I hadn't read the book I thought I was teriible. None of the characters showed ANY emotion and Kristen looked like a spaz in the ballet scene, and Jacob was totally different than what Imagined. I doin't know who else notice this mistake, but at the prom wiouldn't Edward be able to SMELL Victoria? I think the integrity of the whole book was lost, nothing was how I pictured it. Even though I didn't like this movie I will definatley see the next one, hopeing they keep more of the book in the movie, considering they have a marginally bigger .

[Amanda Weaver]

I loved the movie "Twilight" I have read Twilight, New Moon, and now I am reading Eclipse. I would really enjoy seeing New Moon the book, depicted exactly in the movie. I would also love to see Jacob get older, and become a werewolf, that is very crucial to the book and the story. The history with the Volturi is important but can be shown in a few scenes just to give background. I am extremely excited to see the second movie, and hopefully a third and fourth movie as well.

[Shareen]

I am stoked that NEW MOON will be hitting theaters. I went to see the movie on the 21st and it was amazing. I could not have expected anything more. I think that Taylor Lautner should be kept to play the older Jacob. As for the history scene I think that will be a good thing to add into NEW MOON to help those that have not read the books to understand the importance, the adrenaline rush, and the fear that Alice and Bella feel when they take that trip to Italy. Go TWILIGHT!!!

[Rose]

yes!.....keep him...he just needs to work on his body....but other than that i think he's perfect for Jacob Black!.....im so excited for the next movie!....i hope it will come out next year...=].....for the next movie, they should include all the Cullen's history....and one more thing....please add more dialogue......i was sad that Jasper did not have many lines......and neither did Emmett......and last a comment ont he movie it self....i loved the movie!....it was just wonderful to see my favorite series come to life!.....

[Diara Laubert]

WOW i loved the movie sooooo much.I believe that Stephenie Meyer is really the new harry potter.I love it good work keep it up.

[Melanie]

I like Taylor Launter, so I hope that they keep him. I think he did a good job in Twilight and he's just as I pictured Jacob. I do see how there would be problems in New Moon but hopefully they will think of something!

I was really upset with the amount of scenes that I felt were extrememly important to Twilight that were cut or changed, and it didn't give the same effect that the book does on your impression of the characters. I really hope they don't mess up New Moon because that's my favorite book out of the Twilight series and I'll be very disapointed. I do think New Moon will be even harder to make, so I'm definitely going to keep my expectations wayyy low at this point.

[paola cisneros]

OMG i dont like reading but when i read the first page of TWILIGHT i couldnt stop reading. i hope they keep Taylor Lautner for NWE MOON.

[Jenn]

Stick with Taylor!!! He's a hotty. Can't wait to see how the second book will be adapted for the big screen.

[Meghan]

I liked the movie a lot! The actors did a great job creating their characters.
I thought that some parts could be better especially the chemistry between Bella and Edward. If they included the 20 questions part I think it would give people a greater background to their love. This would give Edward a chance to flatter the audience through his voice because I felt he didn't talk as much to Bella (Flirt with her!!). Other than that, I think that the actors looked great!!

[Robin]

I am extremely excited that they are doing the sequel, New Moon. It would be incomplete to leave it at Twilight.

Anyhow, the movie, was okay in the beginning but it did progress towards the end as the chemistry between Bella and Edward improved. I think the reason why viewers thought the movie to be "okay" is due in part to the actors' acting skills. Honestly, the acting was so, so, but you could tell that the cast they chose were not very experienced actors. So hopefully, in the sequel we'll see better acting, and a smoother story telling. All in all, I love Edward, and I'll be at the theatres for NEW MOON!

[Sarah]

Loved the movie for what it was but the fact that they left out more than half of the book they could have added an extra hour which i think everyone who went to see it so far would have definitely stayed for

they should keep the cast as it is since they have really good chemisty all around
im excited to see new moon

[Korin]

Heck Yes keep Jacob!!! Loved the movie. I expected an "enchanted Harry Potter" feel but it was definitely more real than that and I loved it! I liked the flash back and dream scenes a lot. I definitely think, from this movie on out, Edward should be absolutely suave and charming. He seemed a little shy and awkward towards the beginning of Twilight, which was appropriate then but wouldn't be from here on out.

[Alice K.]

I saw the movie opening day, and I loved it. It was a little different then the book, but when your making a book into movie you have to skip over some of the stuff. I do wish that they had mentioned Jasper's powers. For New Moon I really want Taylor Lautner to stay Jacob, because I think he fits the roll perfectly. I can't wait for New Moon to be made into a movie. I hope they don't make me wait that long to see it.

[patricia]

Twilight was okay, left out too much and felt very choppy and rushed, also, the make-up was bad and the special effects cheesy. With the second, they need to throw a ton of cash at it in order to keep the whole franchise compelling. I actually was quite impressed with Lautner, more than some of the other cast, but he will need to bulk up.

[Kailee]

Taylor Lautner was THE perfect Jacob, so they better keep him!!

[Ariel]

That is awsome news!! I loved the movie!! I think keep everyone that was in the movie. Everyone would be a little upset if that changed. Taylor is a great actor, i think he has the potential to work that part very well!! Stick with book for sure! But i think bringing up Carlisle's history would be perfect to bring up the Volturi into the movie. I think they should show Jaspers abilities too.

[kat]

I loved twilight! I've been a fan for a few years now and I was pretty critical of the movie but i think they got the mini but yet important things in there. Robert Pattinson played an EXCELLENT edward. He understood the facial expressions and he had them down to a T. When he got upest I thought I might have cried because I felt his pain just like I did in the book(where I actualyl did cry a few times) I think we do need to see more of Jacob, he has a major role coming up and he probably should have been introduced a tad better than he was but I think new moon will do him justice. No movie is as good as the book. This movie I did enjoy very much. Can't wait until new moon.