Melissa Rosenberg

‘Breaking Dawn’ Officially Announced As Two Movies

June 11, 2010 By Holly Stafford 2 Comments

Twilight fans rejoice! Summit confirmed yesterday what every Twihard and her cousin already knew – Summit will pull a Harry Potter and split “Breaking Dawn” into two films, with Bill Condon directing both, and shooting them back to back, with part one slated for a November 2011 release.

Per Hollywood Crush:

Los Angeles, CA, June 10, 2010 – Summit Entertainment confirmed today that THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN will be released as two separate films with the first of the two slated to be released in theatres on November 18, 2011. Academy Award® winner Bill Condon will direct both films starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner along with Billy Burke as Charlie Swan as well as returning members of the Cullen Family including Peter Facinelli as Carlisle, Elizabeth Reaser as Esme, Jackson Rathbone as Jasper, Nikki Reed as Rosalie, Ashley Greene as Alice and Kellan Lutz as Emmett.

The project, based on the fourth novel in author Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, is currently being written by Melissa Rosenberg with Wyck Godfrey, Karen Rosenfelt and Stephenie Meyer producing. The TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN will start production in the Fall.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN illuminates the secrets and mysteries of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions.

Summit was reported to be considering doing to films about the final book in the Twilight series but had to sign up key stars for the movie, because two films weren’t part of the original negotiations for the series. Pattinson and Stewart negotiated their deals quickly, but Greene and Lutz held out for more money (read about that here.) It looked for a time like they might be replaced, but finally agreed to a compromise. Condon promises to make the movies into something sexy but suitable for kids. I can’t wait to see how they handle the honeymoon and birthing scene in the movies as the latter was pretty disturbing in the book. The biggest question now is where in the story the first film will end and where the second film begins.

There is no release date given for the second film yet, but given the urgency we can only guess it will be the first half of 2012 or, at the latest, late 2012. But that’s of course just a guess. Yes, Twilight-haters…. This means you’re not even halfway through the phenomenon yet!

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Stephen Daldry A Candidate To Direct “Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn”

March 30, 2010 By Holly Stafford 1 Comment

Another Oscar nominated director has been linked to direct the last films in the “Twilight” saga. English director Stephen Daldry has been approached to take the reins for “Breaking Dawn,” the last book in the ‘Twilight’ series.

According to Los Angeles Times, other critically-acclaimed directors had been approached to tackle the maybe-two-part film. Among the names are Bill Condon, Gus Van Sant, and Sofia Coppola.

Like those three, there are not yet indications Daldry would actually take the gig, but the fact that Summit Entertainment, the studio behind the films, has reached out to him suggests where its intentions lie for the fourth film. Having already gone indie with Catherine Hardwicke, polished/commercial with Chris Weitz and genre auteur with David Slade for the franchise’s first three movies, Summit clearly wants a high-end prestige filmmaker to handle the fourth picture.

Daldry’s prior film credits include “The Hours,” “Billy Elliot” and “The Reader,” for which actress Kate Winslet won an Academy Award. Van Sant is considered a favorite among several “Twilight” castmembers, including Robert Pattinson and Peter Facinelli. Melissa Rosenberg, who adapted the previous ‘Twilight’ movies, will also write the script for ‘Breaking Dawn’. Once the script is finished, only then formal offers to directors will be made. As of yet, there’s no indication either way whether these directors are interested in the gig. The filming for what will likely be two films will probably take place this fall.

Filed Under: "Twilight Saga News", Celebrity Gossip, Movies, Robert Pattinson Tagged With: Bill Condon, Billy Elliot, Catherine Hardwicke, Chris Weitz, David Slade, Gus Van Sant, Kate Winslet, Melissa Rosenberg, Peter Facinelli, Robert Pattinson, Sofia Coppola, Stephen Daldry, Summit Entertainment, The Hours, The Reader, Twilight, Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn

Summit Wants Chris Weitz To Direct A Two-Part ‘Breaking Dawn’

December 1, 2009 By Holly Stafford 5 Comments

Now that “New Moon” is breaking box office records, “Twilight” fans are looking beyond “Eclipse” and more-so to “Breaking Dawn.” Though there has been no official confirmation of “Breaking Dawn,” the fact that it appeared as a tab on the official “Twilight Saga” movie website back in July has always indicated to us that the movie would indeed be made. To us, the only questions have been when and where. But the major questions surrounding “Breaking Dawn” seem to be over which director will helm the final “Twilight Saga” film and will it be made into one or two movies? How about bringing back a previous “New Moon” director for “Breaking Dawn?” That’s what Kristen Stewart was thinking when she suggested Chris Weitz return for the final installment.

Per MTV:

“I think Chris Weitz should do it,” she said. “I had such a good experience with him on ‘New Moon.’ He was so considerate there and passionate and compassionate. One of the nicest guys I’ve ever met in my life.”

Shooting has already wrapped on “Eclipse,” the third movie in the vampire saga, and now speculation is increasing over how Summit Entertainment plan to approach Stephanie Meyer’s final “Twilight” novel. Sources are saying that Summit plans to split the final book into two separate movies, to be shot back to back, and would likely continued to be scripted by Melissa Rosenberg – but Meyer must first approve the two-movie decision.

Per MTV:

“They might pull the ‘Harry Potter,’” Jeff Bock said, referring to the two-part split of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” the final book in that series. “And don’t be surprised if they do. [Summit] would be hard-pressed not to put ['Breaking Dawn'] out next December, because there’s just too much money to be made right now. Then it gets really interesting, do they do spin-offs. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of rights Summit has, because I am sure they’re chomping at the bit to extend this franchise as far as they can.”

“Variety” magazine also speculates the franchise’s stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner could benefit from a bigger paycheck from the films if “Breaking Dawn” is officially given the green light, receiving payment in the 8-figure range. However, Summit would have to reopen negotiations with the stars if the movie is broken down into two separate ones, as they are only signed on to do four films. It is also being speculated that Chris Weitz will be asked to return to the directors chair. Although no official offer has been made as of yet, sources say the job is his if he wants it. But will Weitz commit to the back-to-back films, which are sure to keep him away from his family for several months? I’m sure Summit is preparing to empty their wallets on this one in order to line up the correct pieces.

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‘New Moon’ 10 New Spoilers With Pictures!

October 6, 2009 By Holly Stafford Leave a Comment

Oh my I think I’ve just gone to heaven!! With 44 days & some-odd hours and counting til the “Twilight Series: New Moon” movie hits theaters, we’re now starting to find out a few more juicy tidbits about the upcoming film, along with a ton of up-until-now unreleased photographs hitting the net. These amazing pictures come from the recently released “New Moon Illustrated Companion,” and with around 95 or so photographs, they are hot enough to keep you occupied until November 20th. (You can see all the photographs released here.)

Some spoilers are making the rounds too, and they are sure to make Twi-hards even more excited about the upcoming movie. While none of them are considered ‘major’ spoilers, I do suggest you stop reading now and just gaze at the photographs for hours on end if you don’t want to be spoiled at all. If you’re curious like me and you cannot wait until November, then continue reading below!

Spoiler #1: When screenplay writer Melissa Rosenberg was writing the scripts, she tried to keep the fan base out of her head, but she couldn’t avoid it by the time of New Moon. She gave the men in Port Angeles motorcycles to make it a more “significant moment” and because motorcycles will become “an important part of her relationship with Jacob”.

Spoiler #2: While filming the breakup scene in the forest Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart were being swarmed by mosquitos. In all the “vision” sequences Edward is wearing the same outfit he does when he said goodbye to Bella because that is the last memory she holds of him. As a sign that Bella is committed to Edward, her clothes are linked to his color wise. After he leaves she doesn’t pay much attention to her appearance.

Spoiler #3: The Cullen house used for “Twilight” was “a very specific house, and the only way out of that puzzle for us was to put portions of the story of New Moon in other parts of the house”. They scouted many locations for the Cullen house, but found one that was comparable enough with the house in Portland.

Spoiler #4: Robert quote: “The birthday scene at the Cullen house is like the ideal birthday party. The house is beautifully decorated and everyone is happy. Edward is looking at Bella and thinking that she can become part of his family and his life–that maybe this can work out the way he wants it to.” The sequence for the birthday party – Edward relates the history of the Volturi to Bella, she becomes wounded in the hand, and Edward faces off against Jasper.

Spoiler #5: They used the Blue Ray DVD of Twilight to help them with the age, color, texture and features of Bella’s house and room. They used the “Twilight Illustrated Companion” for help finding Bella’s truck.

Spoiler #6: Even the cameras used and their movements are done to show the relationship between the characters. One special challenge for the production team was how to convey Bella’s depression once Edward departs. In the books, the month pages do it (October, November, December, January.) In the film the passage of time is represented with visual effects. Bella sits in her chair in the bedroom and a camera circles around here while the seasons change outside her window.

Spoiler #7: Another shot manipulation, instead of Bella running to her truck and driving home after seeing the wolves in the meadow, she runs out of the woods and tells Charlie immediately that she saw them. The changes were made to make the scene more efficient.

Spoiler #8: When they are rebuilding the bikes there is a montage of scenes.

Spoiler #9: They wanted Jacob’s house to be “like a stepping stone into the forest world”. So it’s further from the heart of the reservation. Emily and Sam’s house is deeper in the forest, more separate from regular life.

Spoiler #10: Added to the movie, Jacob gives Bella a dreamcatcher. It stirs up emotions in all the major characters: Jacob says it will catch bad dreams. Edward is irritated that his rival gave Bella an intimate gift, and Charlie regrets that it stops working.

Ok, so there you have it Twi-hards! 10 Spoilers to keep you in limbo until the movie comes out. The passage of time in the book was very simple yet powerful. I like their approach to it for the movie. I got chills!

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