Chris Weitz will direct 'Twilight' sequel

It's official: Chris Weitz is taking over the director's chair for the "Twilight" sequel "New Moon."

"Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer confirmed the news on her official website Saturday morning in a post designed to calm the rising anguish among fans who loved the first film adaptation. After bidding a fond farewell to "Twilight" director Catherine Hardwicke, Meyer went on to praise Weitz and to let fans know that "torches and pitchforks are not going to be necessary."

On the one hand, Weitz has shown his skill at adapting popular modern novels for the screen -- "About a Boy," from the Nick Hornby novel, won Weitz and co-scripters Paul Weitz and Peter Hedges an Oscar nomination for best adapted screenplay. On the other hand, Weitz also directed last year's "The Golden Compass," which was an expensive mess that failed to capture the fan base of the books.

Weitz seems to be very aware of the tricky situation he's stepping into and does his best to let fans know that he's no dummy when it comes to making sure he gives them what they want to see. "I promise to remain responsive to your hopes and fears," he writes in a letter that Meyer includes in her post. 

-- Patrick Kevin Day

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Photo: Rahav Segev / For The Times

Comments

[Arthur]

Excellent news! I support Summit's choice and look forward to Chris' creative take on New Moon. I am sure he is aware that the movie will work if Ms Stewart has better direction, since there is a lot of emotion that she needs to show. I am concerned with Taylor because he is a very poor match for Robert Pattinson, who is currently carrying Twilight worldwide. With a strong backstory on the Cullens and Volturi, the sequel should be box office gold.

[rob]

soo...this guy is supposed to save a weak franchise that pales in comparison in writing to Harry potter , or even...(gasp) Judy Blume?

It may look better, but if the same lame writers churn out the sequel, this will just be a trilogy supported by disillusioned fans with absolutely no substance or heart.

Sort of like the original "novels".

[Piper]

Are you kidding me please please please i love this saga and i just want the best for it i know no movie can come close to how amazing the book was but please try try to say close to the book please thats what all fans want please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[stephanie]

im kind of scared for a guy to be directing New Moon, ugh and they might replace taylor this is not good not at all. i just hope kristen stewart can capture the anguish bella is in =/

[sue]

okay....fine this guy will direct. now, can they please fix the budget of the next film and slow down on production? think quality here people. AND for the love of the novels PLEEZ CHANGE THE SCRIPT WRITER! she did an awful job on TWILIGHT!!

[Jack Henry]

The Golden Compass was incomprehensible. A wreck of a movie. How did he get this job?

[John Demetry]

According to one studio exec: “You’d have to have a very high standard for art, hate the movie business, and hate money to walk off this sequel.” So with Weitz, they get the hack they wanted! The movie is doomed, indeed, to not satisfy any "standard for art." Mabye it's a good thing Taylor Lautner might be able to skip out on this dud. (Although the obvious move would be to have Taylor play Jacob pre-werewolf and Steven Strait play Jacob post-werewolf. But I don't want either of those stellar actors sullied by Weitz. They should play brothers in a Catherine Hardwicke movie.)

[Lets call me Bob]

I am happy that Catherine is replaced, in my opinion she didn't do that good of a job BUT I'm disapointed this guy was hired. I heard Golden Compass was a horrible adaptation and fans were thoroughly pissed off so yeah why was Chris Weitz hired again?????

[Esme Cullen]

I'm going to reserve judgement until I see the finished film. He promises to keep true to the book, so we'll see what happens.