Original 'Twilight' to be re-released night before sequel 'New Moon' opens

Wanting to capitalize on the teen vampire movie craze it stirred last year, Summit Entertainment is planning to re-release "Twilight" in more than 2,000 theaters on Nov. 19, the night before the arrival of the highly anticipated sequel, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon."

Summit's distribution executives have been in conversations with the nation's theater owners about a one-night-only screening of "Twilight" at 9:00 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. just prior to the 12:01 a.m. showings of "New Moon." Plans are just now being formalized, according to one person with knowledge of the matter, who said that exhibitors (who naturally have dollar signs in their eyes) are very high on the idea.

"Twilight" will likely wind up playing in many of the same theaters that will have those midnight screenings of "New Moon."

Released last November, "Twilight," the first film based on Stephenie Meyer's bestselling book series, became a runaway hit both in theaters and on DVD. The vampire movie, which stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson as chaste lovers, grossed $383.5 million at the worldwide box office and is this year's top-selling DVD, with about 8 million units sold in the U.S. and Canada alone.

Even though the film is out on DVD, Summit is banking on herds of bloodthirsty teens coming back out for the social experience of sitting in a darkened theater, especially as excitement builds for "New Moon." For theater owners, the two-for could be a huge windfall.

This would mark the second time Summit has re-released "Twilight" on the big screen. In July, the movie had a one-night-only theatrical release during the annual Comic-Con Convention in San Diego on the night before the studio showed exclusive footage of "New Moon" there.

--Claudia Eller

Photo: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in "Twilight." Credit: Peter Sorel/Summit Entertainment.

Comments

[Liz]

AHHHHH!!! I can't believe it!!! :) I Just can't wait for New Moon....

[Alexandra Smith]

I believe re-releasing "Twilight" is a wonderful and good idea. It will get many people in the mood and build up even more excitement for the new movie. But, if they are only going to do it to get more money, then I don't think it really is a great idea, the movie when it first came out, was a hit and really got a lot of money, it seems a bit selfish, but that's my opinion. Otherwise I'm excited for "New Moon" to come out!

[josh]

Great Idea!

[TEMARO Beyybee]

When i first Saw Twilight it was a mighty mean movie because i thought that Edward was the most sexiest star alive i watched about 200 times because thats how much i loved it man all his brothers and sisters were also mean doing there part and when they play base ball they soonn find out that the bad vampiers are near by

xx Loved The Movie xx =D

[faith]

this movie sucks

[annamorphos]

okay, here's my question.
They are showing Twilight in the same theater as New Moon (@9:30)?
Okay, after it's over, are the fans just gonna sit in the theater and wait for New Moon? What about everyone else who is standing outside waiting for the movie?
Do the fans get to wait in the theater in between movies? Because that is really crappy. I have no desire to pay to see Twilight again when I have the DVD..but I am going to be waiting all day (with friends at the theater) to see NM. Are you telling me that after waiting all that time, I'm going to have crappy seats?

[Kristin]

I can't wait till New Moon comes out!