It’s official! New Moon will be coming out next year, and the cast of Twilight is already abuzz about the challenges and surprises it holds in store:

“It’s got werewolves, it’s got visual effects that turn people into werewolves, it’s got motorcycle stunts, you go to Italy. It’s probably twice as much as this [to film],” “Twilight” director Catherine Hardwicke explained when we asked her about the sequel just before “Twilight” opened.

Although the novel greatly reduces Edward’s presence, Robert Pattinson insists that “New Moon” is the installment he loves best. “I’m looking forward to doing the re-emergence … at the end of the second book, when he’s killing himself,” the star said when we spoke with him last week. “I think that’d be kind of spectacular seeing that. And the second book is my favorite book, so I’m quite looking forward to doing it.”

‘Twilight’ Sequel ‘New Moon’ Will Be Dark And ‘Spectacular’

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With the success of Twilight, everyone is abuzz about who should direct the sequel. Catherine Hardwicke directed Twilight, but mediocre critical reviews may cause New Line to look at hiring a bigger name for the sequel. One needs only look at the various Harry Potter directors over the years to see that a bit of variety in the director chair isn’t necessarily a bad thing. According to Laremy Legel over at Film.com the possible candidates are–

5. The Wildcard: Alice Wu

I know, I know, you’ve never heard of Alice Wu. Probably no one reading this has. But in 2004 she directed a little film called Saving Face, a film entirely about relationships between women and their families. She hit a delicate balance throughout, which is exactly the vibe New Moon needs.

Odds: less than 1%

4. The Artist: Valerie Faris

She’s got the same musical ear as Hardwicke as she’s directed Smashing Pumpkins and Red Hot Chili Peppers music videos. She also directed a little film called Little Miss Sunshine. The only rub? She’s part of a team: her husband Jonathan Dayton co-directs with her. Why would that be a bad thing, though? The film is all about a powerful relationship. Why not have one in the directors’ chairs too?

Odds: 25%

3. The Youngster: Sarah Polley

She doesn’t hit 30 until January. But it’s a young cast; she’d fit right in. Plus, she directed the Oscar-nominated Away From Her. She’d be a huge risk, but as a working actor she’d have no trouble pulling out the performances she wanted.

Odds: 20%

2. The Contender: Julie Delpy

She wrote and directed 2 Days in Paris, a fantastic and romantic movie. She’s an actress like Kristen, and a writer like Stephenie and Melissa. Like Whitney Houston said, “She’s every woman, it’s all in her.” Do I even need to mention she’s French? That would help for the European portion of New Moon, oui? Odds: 30%

1. The Long Shot: Sofia Coppola
If Summit signed Sofia freaking Coppola that would certainly make the news. She’s made three films of merit: The Virgin Suicides (also an adaptation), Lost in Translation, and Marie Antoinette. Her visual eye is unparalleled, and she’s genius at beautiful, though subtle, emotional scenes. If money were no object, and I could get anyone, she would be my first call. She’d lend instant credibility to the project and the conversation would switch from New Moon as a teen sensation. Oscar would be in play, and that’s a very scary thing given the box office Summit is already banking on. The Twilight series could morph into something else entirely with a little new direction: a commercial and critical success.
Odds: 10%

My vote is definitely with Sofia Coppola–when I first read the books, I couldn’t help but think of the dreamy yet tense mood of the Virgin Suicides. Imagine New Moon with an Oscar!

New Moon: If Hardwicke is Replaced, Who Should Direct?

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Good news for the New Moon movie–Sandy Cohen from the AP reports that Twilight has totally redefined the expectations of a chick flick–

“The word ‘chick flick’ is going to have to be replaced by big box-office girl-power flick,” he said. “The box-office clout of the female audience is just astounding, and it’s been an underserved audience for way too long. … They have no trouble finding money for the things they’re passionate about.”

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines chick flick as “a motion picture intended to appeal especially to women.” But “Twilight” is no lightweight date movie — instead, it’s a real-girl’s chick flick, where a normal-looking teenager finds romance with a modern (if undead) Prince Charming.

“It’s the most insanely romantic film since ‘The Notebook,’” said Harry Medved, a spokesman for Fandango.com, who described Pattinson’s Edward Cullen as “the ideal boyfriend. … He’s incredibly strong, superfast, impossibly handsome, he plays the piano and all he cares about is what’s on her mind.”

What do you think?  Does Twilight really redefine what “chick flick” means?  Let us know in the comments!

Mercury News

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With the success of Twilight, what’s next for everyone’s favorite vamp heart-throb? Well there are a few options–he could become a superhero, artistic actor, musician….

Surely, the 22-year-old Pattinson could take the road of Ben Affleck, Eric Bana, Tobey Maguire and others by using his newfound fame to land a high-paying gig as a superhero. He’s even said in the past that he would love to play Gambit in an “X-Men” movie, which Hollywood is coincidentally enough attempting to put together at this very moment.
Or the star could go the route of actors like Russell Crowe, Sean Penn and others who’ve been known to overlook potential franchises for projects with artistic merit.
Then there’s option #3: Pull a Joaquin Phoenix and abandon acting altogether to embrace his musical talents.

But don’t forget, Pattinson had already shot a movie about Salvador Dali before Twilight:

The 2009 flick might also raise eyebrows among Pattinson’s devout female fanbase, as it depicts a love affair between Pattinson’s Dalí and Beltran’s Federico García Lorca. “There was tons and tons of letters. There’s a book of letters between Lorca and Dalí, where they make obvious references to their relationship, which is obviously more than just a friendship,” Pattinson said. “Dalí says, like, ‘Lorca tried to have sex with me.’ … It’s a very complicated script, and before anyone would see it, I recommend that you read a biography of Dalí. Otherwise, you wouldn’t get too much out of it.”

What’s Next For ‘Twilight’ Star Robert Pattinson?

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