'Twilight' fans, beware: The third film just got a LOT creepier

UPDATED

This post was based on a Variety story that made it sound like Bayona's hiring was a done deal but, according Patrick Goldsten and his Big Picture blog, that may not be the case. We'll keep you posted on the situation.

It's official, according to the trades, the filmmaker behind the hypnotic horror film "The Orphanage" (shown above) will be brought in for the third "Twilight" film. The second movie in the franchise, "New Moon," is due in theaters in November and the third, "Eclipse," is two years out. Here's an excerpt from Dave McNary's story:

Summit Entertainment has tapped Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona to direct "Eclipse," the third pic in the "Twilight" vampire series.

Summit, which had no comment Wednesday, is expected to make the official announcement soon. The minimajor recently gave "Eclipse" a release date of June 30, 2010.

Bayona's a protege of Guillermo Del Toro. He directed the Spanish-language horror-thriller "The Orphanage," which was exec produced by Del Toro, and is attached to helm the Universal thriller "Hater," with Del Toro and Mark Johnson producing.

Summit's opted for a different director on each "Twilight" pic. Chris Weitz replaced "Twilight" director Catherine Hardwicke on "New Moon."

This promises to take the franchise into some very interesting directions. "Twilight" fans, check out my in-depth 2007 feature on Bayona and the "The Orphanage" to get a sense of the dark place your favorite vamps are headed ... and here's the trailer for "The Orphanage"...

-- Geoff Boucher

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Photos: "The Orphanage." Credit: Picturehouse Entertainment. Robert Pattinson. Credit: Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[AmbroseKalifornia]

Awww, lookit little baby Rorschach!

[Laura]

I think this director is PERFECT for Eclipse. maybe us older Twilight fans well 25-30 will get a more mature view of this Vampire/love story. I cant wait!

any news on Breaking Dawn?

[Holly]

I think this will be a great idea for the twilight saga..I think the films will need some intensity and im sure the chosen director for 'Eclipse' will bring it..I am 22 so maybe an older twilight fan but as the fans age the story grows slighty more adult as well. I'm very excited for this choice.

[Perry Lane]

This could be really make the series into a contender. Will part two do the job, though?

[christine]

I hated the Orphanage! It was the creepiest movie I´ve seen and horror movies don´t usually scare me. I actually cried when it was over because I felt so bad.

[LJR]

Geez. After watching the trailer for "The Orphanage" I wanted to puke but not in disgust, not horror.

[edwardcullenislove]

Awww, lookit little baby Rorschach!

[unintendedchoice]

love the orphanage... but it seems a little odd to choose him for eclipse... despite whether you hate it or love it... the twilight saga books ARE love stories... but he seems like a great director and it could really do well. as long as rob pattinson wear little-to-no clothes, i'm fine with whatever
letterstorob.com

[obsessivecullendisorder]

um okay the orphanage looks verrrrry creepy......... this guy better not ruin eclipse and turn into some horror thing
eclipse is like my favourite out of the books!
i know some people might like horror (20-25 people but please seriously, all of us 15-18 girls love twilight for the love part not the scary parts (though they are kinda cool ;)

SO DONT TURN INTO A HORROR MOVIEEEEEEE!
love
xx

[jaime]

oh my god...i cant wait for eclipse to come out now. it really should be scary because all the things that happen in the book were scary enough. the movies are coming out so fast. stephenie meyer is one of my favorite authors now and the twilight series rocks. cant wait to see how new moon is going to turn out.

[Rai]

Awesome!! That's gonna be BRILLIANT!
:D

xx

[Flavio]

I haven't follow the news on the movie "Eclipse," or "New Moon," but I recently became a fan of the books. This is all due to my wife aquiring all four books. I have to admit that I did not read the first book due to watching the movie first, but I will. The other three were awesome, and as far as directors go, I feel as if the next two movies have to be as close to the story line of the adorned book series as possible, as the fans will need Hollywood to compete for their love as the books are so intricately detailed, that the slightest bad turn in story plot, and detail would ruined it for all. From what my wife says the first movie was lacking so much detail from what the "Twilight" booked entailed, therefore she hated it. I on the other hand loved it, yet I did not read the first book. Now, since I have read the other three, anything less than pefection will leave me broken-hearted. I say this as a man who considers himself very much masculine, but the book series have definitely won me over. It is by far the most unusual, and influential, and iconic love stories that will grace the silver screen, and the pages of novels worldwide. Are we all in agreement with my last statement here? Question: are they craming the details of the "Breaking dawn," book into "Eclipse," or will there be a possible fourth movie? As I said I am not up to date. Can someone answer this question for me? Thanx.

[Brittany]

Yea I'm thinking this may be a good idea. To have a different director on the second movie, it'll make the movie different and possibly more interesting!! So bring it on I'm ready for it!!!

[Yami]

Re: Flavio

As a fan of many books I can say that movies are always lacking a lot of my favorite parts, but I try to see the movies as extensions to the books. Even with our great technology, its unfair to compare the two. Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words, but its not always what you would have pictured when reading those words. The author can give the readers all the details, but everyone's imagination is different. Just look at all the fanfic out there. We all have our hopes for how the movies should turn out but I don't think its fair to judge how one person sees them (even though that's what critics do, we don't always agree with them, do we?). I'm sure this guy will make a great movie (he learned from Del Toro, I love that guy and I'm not much of a horror fan either).

[Chelsea]

I loved all the books and was a little disappointed for how Twilight was made lacking major details and making the "field scene" not a big deal. That was a major part to the moive and book both. it could have been made better...however i do hope that eclipse will have major details added to it...have not watched any horror movies by either director for i do not like horror movies period. I hope that it doesn't have too much horror....that would make me sad

[Chelsea]

I loved all the books and was a little disappointed for how Twilight was made lacking major details and making the "field scene" not a big deal. That was a major part to the moive and book both. it could have been made better...however i do hope that eclipse will have major details added to it...have not watched any horror movies by either director for i do not like horror movies period. I hope that it doesn't have too much horror....that would make me sad

[Deb]

Hope they don't forget the LOVE story between Bella and Edward, and the humor. Personally, I don't watch horror movies.

[Deb]

I hope this director remembers that the Twlight Series is mainly a LOVE story between Bella and Edward with action and humor!! Please don't make it a horror fest.