'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

[Stephen]

The should put more into the next movie. I realize this was a fan service but Twilight felt rushed and lacked character development that is needed for the characters reactions to events in New moon to make sense. They introduced too many characters too early in the story. They didn't need to have the 3 vampires introduced so early. They should have used that time for Bella to figure out what Edward is. I think the relationship between Bella and Edward isn't palpable enough to warrant her reaction in the hospital at the end. Also I think they needed some more time to get a good performance of that scene. Bella didn't deliver the lines convincingly and someone should have realized they needed to get a better take. That doesn't mean I don't like the actress or her work in the rest of the movie.

Moving forward I think they should really fill in the blanks they left in the first. I would be willing to sit through a 3 hour movie if they use that time to develop the characters and their stories. Also they NEED to give the darker feel that New Moon had. Half of the movie should be of Bella trying to adjust. They really need to develop the relationship between Bella and Jake, and also need to farther develop Bella and Edwards relationship so that it feels like it's more then just "Your cute. I love you!". Make sure the wolves look good and make sure you don't botch the transforming. Develop the characters of the other wolves... Sam should have a bigger part in the next movie then Jessica or Mike or any of the "normal" kids had in the first movie. They need to solve the problems they created by leaving so much out of the first movie; Carlisle and his relationship with the Volturi, and who the Volturi are. They need to film a good story and not a cliff notes version of a good story. The movie should be able to stand on its own without needing the books to fill in the gaps. If they nail the emotions that Bella is feeling through the first half and they nail the section in Italy I will be happy.

[Goldie]

Hi I'm a fan of the complete twilight series although I think it was the story rather than the literacy of the book that made it such a hit. As far as the movie goes...I watched it with the preassumption that I would be some what disappointed considering everyone knows that "the book is always better than the movie" but I ended up being pleasantly surprised by much of the beginning of the movie right up until the point where Edward follows her into the woods. From there on I felt that much of the story came across so dramatic that it took away from the story line by making parts of the movie that were ment to be serious, either in a scary or romantic way, and made it seem cheesy and many times so funny that numerous people were laughing at these parts.
One main example of this is Jacob's appearance out of the woods where the acting was not at its best and it was different from the book because Jacob already appeared jealous and even angry towards Edward with out thus far having any type of past with Bella.
Overall, it was still fun seeing my imagination come to life in the movie.

[Sherri]

I Saw the movie Twilight twice already and I thought the movie as well as the casting was FANTASTIC!! I am only too excited about NEW MOON!!! Way to go Stephanie, my hats off to you and the entire cast! WE LOVE EDWARD!

[hd1]

They have to explain the Volturi in New Moon, that info takes us all the way through Breaking Dawn! I don't blame them for not introducing the Volturi in Twilight...it just didn't fit. Twilight was about average for an indie, low budget type flick, did not nearly live up to my expectations and was kinda cheesy, but I still enjoyed it. Let's get a new composer for New Moon though, and Taylor Lautner MUST be kept as Jacob. You can see just how he'll go from a cute kid to a good looking young man.

[ramster]

i amm SOOO excited for new moon! i thnk it will be amazing just like the first one!!!!!! in the beginning of Twilight, i was a lil dissapointed but it turned out to be absolutely FANTASTIC! i mean the people that thought it was horrbile, get a grip. this was a low budget, independent film. And with everything that they were given, i thnk they did great! i would have liked to seen a little more from the book in the movie, but over all it was great! i thnk in new moon they neeed to add carlisle's history and jaspers powers. and since the relationship of edward and bella grows, it shouldnt be awkward anymore.
DEFINITELY KEEEP THE SAME ACTORS FOR THE NEXT MOVIES TO COME!. i thnk everyone would be extremely disappointed if they changed anyone from their roles.

[amanda b]

i would love taylor to be jacob, and i'm sure they will keep him. what they should have taylor do is work out in a gym, shed some weight, and gain a six pack. i'm sure e can do it. and as for the height thing, well they can have him stand on boxes.
i loved twilight! and i'm going to see it again on monday.
XD
i'm definatly going to cry when i see new moon!
:'(
CAN'T WAIT!

[Kristin]

Twilight was overall really good. Even though the actors were mostly first time actors, Steward and Pattinson did a good job and thats what the viewers wanted to see. They should have put the scene with the blood typing lab and when he carries bella instead of going to a green plant place. But it was good. I CANT WAIT FOR NEWMOON!!

[mandy]

I love Taylor playing a young Jacob in twilight. In fact, for me he was the most pleasing eye candy on screen. But for new moon, it would be in the nest interest of the casting director to choose another actor. This is only because Jacob (as a wolf) is ALOT taller than both bella and edward combined, and alot more huge. Unless they decide to get Taylor some strong steroids and extra high heels, I dont think he could pull off that image. Sorry.

But the rest of the cast was right on in my opinion. And please for the love of christ, at least MENTION Jasper's ability in the next film. That was the greatest disappointment.

[Alaina]

I have to agree with kayleigh about Victoria! I didn't even think about that until I read what she wrote. Edward would have either been able to smell victoria at the prom or be able to read her thoughts! I liked the movie but they left out so many wonderful scenes between bella and edward. Like how her heart races when he kisses her and, personally my fave. scene between them in the book was their kissing scene right before he takes her to play baseball with his family and I was really upset that they didn't film that. AND, and least I don't remember, I don't think edward ever told bella that he loved her...what the heck! I was dissapointed in the meadow scene too. She didn't stroke is had or anything! I though that was poorly done. I also LOVE Alice and jasper and so I wish they would have showed them more. And they didn't even metion jasper's powers! They really should have! I really think they should keep Taylor as jacob. With technology they can make him look older and taller, i'm sure. Beside I think he's a great actor. And yes all the cullen's history and the volturi NEED to be metioned!

[Christa]

I loved the Twilight Movie. It was amazing! I don't know what all of you are talking about that it didn't include enough parts in the book, the movie can't include every single thing that happens in the book. It would be like 20 hours long. They did a really great job even though they changed a few parts. And Bella and Edward were amazing actors. I thought it was incredible overall!

[Kelley]

Please please PLEASE~ stay true to the book for NEW MOON!!! This wasnt my fav book, due to Edwards absence, but it does provide a lot to the story line of Jacob so, it's important.... But we will need the background info on the Vulturi because that's very significant to NEW MOOM and the books that follow... AND PLEASE dont leave out too much of that part of the story, when Bella goes to Itlaly to save Edward, that who part of the book was so intense and exciting... we NEED to see that one the big screen... I loved twilight, and how it stayed true tot he book, but I thought it was a little choppy, in that it went from sceen to sceen without a clear understanding of the time that passed by, and I was disappointed that I didnt feel the build up of their relationship the we the book gave me. But I understand, the low budget and whatnot... this saga has sucha fan base that it's worth giving it the bigger budget, because if the movies are true to the book and well done, they will draw in more fans, just like the HP movies did... all those that dont read... could love the movies as much as others love the books!
I get the delimia about Jacob, but I think if you cast someone else now, it would be a big mistake to all the Jacob fans, they have already put their hearts into the current cast. Maybe some good makeup and camera angles to creat the allusion of Jacob growning so tall, and face changes...? But Please staty true to the book!!!!!

[megan]

I loved the movie, and i cannot wait till New Moon comes out!

[bailey]

I AM SOO EXCITED! I so think they should keep every charctor from the Twilight movie. It would be sort of weird to see a different Edward & Bella. Everyone is in love with them . well i know i am in love with Edward. They should so keep Taylor. I think he would be great for the part. When i went to go see the movie at midnight thursday with my mom, sister, and my best friend carson. My mom was like. " Man all the guys are so handsome." I think all the actors & actresses did great. I can not wait for New moon. =]

[Catherine]

Is it true that Robert Pattinson is dead??? I heard he overdosed. I really hope its a hoax because I really want to see him in New Moon.

[alicia d]

I really liked the movie. My sisters and I have seen it twice already. I agree that it was pretty choppy.. but then they had to introduce all those characters and their relationships to one another... cramming 500 pages into 2 hours is hard. I'm sure they'll go into Carlisle's relationship with the Volturi in the next one, as it pertains better to that story. I don't know about Taylor as Jacob.. in the book he grows exponentially each time Bella sees him.. and taylor doesnt look like he has the frame to support what jacob's supposed to look like. He worked in this movie though, because Jacob was a secondary character in the first book. The real story was between Edward and Bella and I think they did a good job of focusing on that. I agree with Kristin though, I think it would have been better to include the scene with the blood typing lab when Edward helped Bella to the nurses office. I liked that scene a lot in the book, and was disappointed that it wasn't included.

I really hope they increase the budget in the next one, especially considering the incredible turnout for this one... The scenes where Edward was running and climbing up the tree were more funny than awe-inspiring. He looked ridiculous. I was also disappointed with his skin in the sun light. The way it's described in the book made me think it would've been much more dramatic than how it was portrayed in the movie. So, I hope they put more into special effects in the next one. I'd be really disappointing if the transformations are just as crudely animated.

[Sidney Horne]

OMG i think Taylor is perfect for Jacob! hes soo hot and all the characters are perfect! keep everything the same. How will you make Edward look the same for the next movies? Robert is still human and he ages... so how will Edward look in Breaking Dawn... that might be a problem...

[Wendy]

I absolutely love the movie...It wasn't exactly like the book, a few things were changed, but with not having four hours to hit every single detail, I thought they did a good job...the end wasn't effected by changes that were made. I actually have seen the movie 3 times opening weekend & probably will find myself at the theater a couple more times. I hope it doesn't take to long for the release onto DVD...it's a "purchaser"!! I am incredibly excited for New Moon, although, I am not a patient person & hope that it doesn't take forever for it to hit theaters (the vampires aren't supposed to age, so time is of the essence). If I had my way, I would have liked all four movies to have been made so I could have seen them one right after the other like I was able to do with the books...I have the soundtrack, it is good as well! I am also looking forward to the soundtrack & new t.shirts that come along with the second installment!!! The actors in Twilight did an amazing job in my opinion...I thought Jasper's character was one of the best played...he was exactly how I pictured he would look/act. James was exactly what I pictured & Dr. Cullen was perfect! I am interested to see how Jacob's character turns out in the second movie...if they do not add some special effects, where I do like the actor chosen for his part, I'm not sure if he will be able to fit his role very well (having to grow taller & older by the second & end up being this incredibly large wolf)...Anyway...I've planned an entire opening day for New Moon...so, get rolling already!!!

[Jazzmin Salinas]

I think Taylor Lautner should stay as jacob he played the role perfect. As for what i wanted to see in Twilight that i might be able to see in New Moon, I'd like them to say 'I love you' at least once....they never said it in Twilight the only thing close to it was the line 'You are my life now'. But either way i loved the movie! It was awesome! I watched it at midnight of the day and went the next day with my sister and a couple of her friends AND i still want to see it again! Its totally worth every penny! I cant wait to see what they do in New Moon, what they'll add (hint: Like what edward was doing while he was away: hint) and not to mention all the amazing scenes i'd love to see on the big screen!

[Taylor]

I loved twilight!! i read all the books before they were a hit and i loved them!! i just saw it for the 3rd time and i soo love edward cullen! i know i sound crazy but i think edward is one of the big hits in the movie so if he leaves too long in new moon i will deffinitley be dissapointed and i know i won't be the only one but i think if they are going to change some things in new moon deffinittly don't wait till 1/3 of the movie is over to throw edward in there just like the book was because thats what made me dissapointed in the book. so pleaseee make sure edward get in there enough!

[Bailee H]

you should definitely include carlisle's history with the voulturi....it is a very big part of the entire series.

btw...KEEP TAYLOR LAUTNER AS JACOB BLACK!!!!!

[Sophie Osbourne]

I'm thrilled to hear that New Moon will be produced. Twilight was a huge success. I am glad that it was and Indy film and not a big Hollywood flick. New Moon should be produced the way Twilight was. But hopefully the special effects will improve. New Moon should not be any different than the book. The only way I can think of having Edward being seen more in the movie is when Bella hears his voice in her head when she is doing something reckless, maybe instead of doing voice overs, she could hallucinate him being there with her. I hope that makes sense, whoever read the book will understand. But if that were to happen, Team Edward fans won't be disappointed and neither with Team Jacob. New Moon is all about Bella and Jacob, so it is very vital to have Taylor and Robert in this movie.

[Emily]

I think that Twilight was great, but they rushed through it WAY too much. In New Moon they should slow it down and try to make it a little deeper, even though its going to be hard when Edward is not in even half of the book. Somehow they have to keep true to the book, but not lose the Edward admirers

[yuli]

Im so happy they decided to make a sequel of the Twilight movie. I would like to see the playfulness and teasing of bella and Edwards which i didn't get to see much in the twilight movie in the sequel. I also feel like they should keep the original characters, like for example for ''Jacob'' played byTaylor Lautner. Everyone knows that in the book he got a little bigger like bella describes him, but in a couple of months and maybe in a year guys looks and body shape can change. Personally to me a guy grows faster than a female, because last i remember i was taller than my brother....NOT ANYMORE!!!!! I would also like to see more of the book's scenes, most people don't like when what happens in the book changes too much. I mean I guess they could stray a little but not to much that confuses everyone and everything.

[Gatchpatch]

I always hate when actors are changed when it's suppose to be the same character, it looks stupid. I can't think of a way for Taylor to fit the criteria of a bigger jacob with out taking drugs hopefully he will prove us wrong.

[chels]

I didn't like the movie at all. It was obvious how much money they had to spend on it. They cut so many crucial parts out of the movie. I actually had to reread twilight so I didn't lose the essence of the book. I love the books...They're great. They just didn't do a good job projecting it onto the big screen. If I were stephanie meyer i wouldn't let anyone demolish my book the way summit did.

Disappointing. I hated it. I was excited for week. For nothing.