Chris Weitz on getting the 'Twilight' gig: The secret translation

As any PR pro will tell you, whether you're embarking on an invasion of Iraq or just hiring a new filmmaker for your popular movie series, what counts isn't the actual event so much as the media positioning and rollout for it. Whenever I get a press release these days, I find myself reading between the lines, trying to figure out, once you get past the puffy official prose, what the statement really means. This goes double for Summit Entertainment's announcement that it's hired Chris Weitz (best known for co-helming "American Pie," "About a Boy" and directing "The Golden Compass") to take over its fantastically successful "Twilight" franchise, barely a week after Summit and "Twilight" director Catherine Hardwicke had a messy falling out over various "creative differences," to use a popular press-release obfuscation phrase.

I'm not saying Weitz is a bad choice, even if I happen to be a bigger fan of his brother Paul Weitz's films, which seem more quirky and personal (Paul did "In Good Company" and "American Dreamz"). But Chris is a talented writer-director and, having shepherded "Golden Compass" to worldwide box-office success, clearly can handle the popularization of a franchise property. But what's fascinating, for the moment, is how Chris handled his first big assignment--reaching out and reassuring "Twilight" fans who were upset over Hardwicke's sudden departure, wanted a woman director to get the gig, or crave a absolutely faithful translation of the remaining books in the series, starting with "New Moon," which Summit hopes to have in theaters by the end of next year.

So here are a few excerpts from what Chris said in his letter to fans--and what it really means:

What he said: "In the past few days I have been involved in a whirlwind romance with Stephenie Meyer's  extraordinary books."

What it means: "It's amazing how fast Amazon can rush an overnight shipment of books to your house."

What he said: "I am very grateful to have received [Stephenie's] permission to protect 'New Moon' in its translation from the page to the screen."

What it means: "I passed the audition."

What he said: "For the last decade of my career as a director, I have chosen to make adaptations of complex and involved works of literature."

What it means: "I barely remember being that smart-aleck brat who did all the semen jokes and sexist gags in 'American Pie.' " 

What he said: "When I saw the film of 'Twilight' ... I was struck by the extraordinary passion for the characters, story and theme that was evident in the people sitting in the seats around me."

What it means: "I saw the film in a real movie theater, not in my agent's screening room."

What he said: "Like many of you, I am a fan of Catherine Hardwicke's work. I can't really say much about why she is not doing 'New Moon' because I wasn't involved in those decisions."

What it means: "Don't blame me for her getting the ax. It was those guys over there that fired her."

What he said: "To those of who doubt that as a male director I can capture Bella's experience, I can only say that emotion is universal...."

What it means: "It's not like they hired Michael Bay, OK?"

What he said: "... and my work has often involved working with some of the most talented actresses in the world."

What it means: "By saying 'some of' we're obviously not counting Tara Reid."

RELATED:

WHY 'TWILIGHT" DIRECTOR CATHERINE HARDWICKE GOT THE BOOT:

Photo of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in "Twilight" by Deana Newcomb / Summit Entertainment

Comments

[Livia]

If a film is made from a book I love I know not to expect everything from the book to translate to the screen. I get that.

I don't have complete and total faith in Chris Weitz, however he is the chosen director and I'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt, for now. I'm still unhappy with rumors of getting rid of Taylor Lautner, the big rush, and lack of a larger budget.

Stay faithfull to the book, please don't shoehorn Robert Pattinson into New Moon. I understand that he is very goodlooking, I agree. However he is not a major part of the book so don't make him a major part of the film. Don't cowtow to the basist of instincts to make money, please?!

Keep all the actors, eventhough I'm not a huge fan of Nikki Reed as Rosalie, I think the only issue I had was a really shallow one, the hair. She is a brunette. Brunettes going blonde can be done (Lisa Kudrow is a natural dark brunette, could you tell?) and it can be done to look better than the outcome for Twilight.

So Summit could be setting Chris Weitz up for a box office bomb or somehow Chris Weitz is gonna be able to pull it off somehow. The proof will be in the pudding, and it better be the most fantastic pudding I've ever tasted! With sprinkles on top, dark chocolate shavings and a dollop of whipped cream!

Crossing my fingers and hoping.

[James S]

I think he can do it.
Hardwicke was hard to work with.
She couldn't fit the time frame for the next movie either.
So maybe it's for the best.
Don't judge a book by its cover.
New Moon isn't that hard to portray on film.
The special effects will be the hardest, and Weitz doesn't even have to worry about that.
Kristen Stewart is capable of portraying the role of Bella. It isn't that hard to fortake.
Have hope, and wish for the best.
Good Luck Chris Wietz.

[James S]

I have high hopes, I believe he's well able to pull it off.
Hardwicke is gone for good reasons.
Weitz will find the true image of New Moon.
I think he'll do a fine job.
Everyone else is capable of themselves.
Have hope, get over it.

[Shannon]

WOW, I started reading Twilight with my daughter, I finished all the books in 6 days. I have only read 2 books cover to cover in my adult life before this Twilight series. That is saying alot for the writer. I only hope that the remaining films will be even truer to the books. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the movie and will buy it, but please do better with the remaining films..

[katrina]

so. the movie twilight i think could have been much much much much better.
i really do think that.
i think that the actors and directors could have brought out a lot in the movie.
but i'm disappointed in the film cause i read the books and what not, and of course i would be disappointed in the movie.
what movie that was made fromthe book has been good...?
if you have never read the book then it was super amazing.
i think that the directors and other workers should have gotten the
escence of the characters. they should have read all the books and gotten to know all the characters and then decide how they should be. especially the actors.
though they did a good job. just it hink that
if they got to knw the characters and got to care a lot of the series they could ave brought a lot to the big screen.

[Syl]

whoa whoa.. i didnt read it all but people saying Catherine captures the Twilight experience.. come on people.. now she did do a good job but where was the love.. the movie didnt hold the same devotion the novel did. As movies arent always the same as the books. You cant really copy a hole book and bring it too life.
But honestly if i never read Twilight (which is properly over 6 times now) i would of thought they just had a crush on each other and Edward wanted her blood and she thought he was good looking. The small parts like Edward holding her, and brushing her cheeks.. small things like that..knowing he loves her and wants to be with her but doesnt wanna hurt her.
I really hope they get New Moon in a better perspective with their love and Jacob and Bella's friendship. And seeing the major hit it had, bit of cash spent on special effects won't hurt but inhance the movie.
Plus Twilight was a bit rushed! a lot of my friends and people i've spoken to said it could of went for an extra hour. I remember watching a talk with Catherine saying something about 25pages was cut into one scene, becuase the emotions didnt have to be written you could see it. but what they did was put 3 chapters into one scene which was a shame.

I know I seem to be nagging a lot but i did enjoy the movie. Not how i thought obviously. I knew it wouldnt be 100% like the novel but i still thought the qualities of the love would be in the movie!

All the best to New Moon, and hopefully Summit looks outside the major productions and see what all the fans have said to get a better idea on whats lacking. Cant please everyone but similiar results are better than negative.

[beula]

Great, our Twilight saga will be made into college-aged, uniitelligent humor, immature, CRAP.
Good going summit.

[Twilight Mom]

Congratulations Summit Entertainment
Fact it is a Phenomenon, due to Stephanie Meyer.
Hardwick is an incredibly gifted filmmaker yet missed the emotional intensity of “Twilight”. If you haven’t read the book how could you understand the passion and longing they have for each other. How they feel one could not live without each other and the physical pain each of them feels when apart? I do think there were lots of rushed moments and poorly shot scenes. I can only hope the studio steps up with “New Moon”.
Attention Chris Weltz ! This is defiantly the book to make all the corrections in. Stephanie Meyer wrote these books to translate easy into a movie. We need to revisit Bella and Edward's relationship and feel the passion that was missed in "Twiilight". The car ride home from Port Angeles , Medow scene, the sleepovers. I can only hope the studio hires a new team of writers, directors and hair and makeup crew for 'New Moon'. They should also consider a soundtrack that actually works with the scenes.
The movie “Twilight” unfortunately was a great disappointment.

[It's alright]

Wait, did everyone want Rob gone too? Maybe we should wait and see?

[T]

That was hysterical, thanks for saying what everyone WAS thinking.