More news from the EW Exclusive Issue about Catherine Hardwicke that will be out Friday, most notably, that the budget for New Moon has already far exceeded what was promised to Hardwicke–

Hardwicke first began discussing Twilight: Director’s Notebook with Meyer’s publisher last summer, and then Twilight went on to gross over $350 million worldwide (so far). “When the movie made enough money, they thought it was worth it,” says Hardwicke. “They said, ‘Now you have three and a half weeks to do it!’ And I was like, Okay, I’m just going to keep writing until they rip this out of my hands!”

Fans continue to whip themselves into a frenzy online in anticipation of New Moon, which is already deep into pre-production under new director Chris Weitz. (Hardwicke notes the irony that her replacement is enjoying a better deal than she’d been promised. “I know the budget they were talking about with me – they’ve already gone way beyond that,” she said.) But she’s done nursing her broken heart. “I’m optimistic that it’s going to be great, and I’m sad that it didn’t work out for me to do it,” she said. “But I’ll do something else cool.”

You can get a copy of the issue direct from EW for $4, with the absolutely gorgeous cover of Sir Hottie Pattinson shown above.

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The AP has (mistakenly?) leaked a bit of extra info that EW hasn’t revealed yet from their Catherine Hardwicke exclusive–about why she didn’t end up directing New Moon after successfully completing Twilight–

Hardwicke says in the interview posted on ew.com that she was having dinner in Paris with the film’s young stars, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, when her cell phone rang. She’d been in negotiations with Summit Entertainment, which released “Twilight,” about directing part two in Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling series.

Summit executives called to offer her “more money than I or anyone in my family has ever seen,” she said, but they added that she’d have to shoot “New Moon” under a tight deadline and modest budget.

Hardwicke turned them down.

“I was devastated,” she says now. “I really did feel a strong connection to the people around the world that liked the movie — and to Stephenie and the actors. But I just didn’t think I could make a good movie under those circumstances.”

Summit Entertainment had no comment on the report, spokesman Paul Pflug said.

Report: Hardwicke declined huge `New Moon’ payday

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Entertainment Weekly’s cover will feature Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart next week! Note only that, but they have an exclusive first look inside Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke’s Director’s Notebook. But maybe the most shocking bit is how Hardwicke has revealed she is “devastated” to not be directing New Moon–

Hardwicke has given EW an exclusive first peek at Twilight: Director’s Notebook, which looks less like a diary than a scrapbook, studded with drawings, makeup and wardrobe notes, storyboards, lists, sketches, photos, and all kinds of odd nuggets of information (did you know Rob was first tricked out with hair extensions to give him his trademark look)? Hardwicke’s publisher will only allow us to put two pages online, so to see the rest, you’ll have to pick up a copy of the Feb. 20 issue of EW, available here.

Hardwicke told EW that although she was “devastated” to not be directing New Moon—“I really did feel a strong connection to Stephenie and the actors” —she simply couldn’t do it under the terms Summit set forth, with a limited budget and strict timetable. The book is her smart, funny farewell, its margins full of her doodlings and ideas.

But the book isn’t the only thing fans have to look forward to. They’ll also be able to snap up the Twilight DVD on March 21. Its bonus materials, Hardwicke told EW, will include makeout scenes deleted from the movie.

‘Twilight’ Diary: Exclusive Sneak Peek!

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Somewhere out there I know there has to be a Twilight fan who has diligently collected every piece of Twilight merchandise ever made. Besides being broke, at this rate they could be dressed head-to-toe, day-to-night in Twilight gear.

Case in point, here are some of the newest piece of Twilight memorabilia–

• Twilight Pajamas
• Twilight Charm Bracelet
• Cullen Crest Patch
• Heart Shaped “I dream….” Charm Necklace
• Edward Cullen Tote

I gotta say, I kinda dig the Cullen family crest patch.

Check them all out at Hot Topic.

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Now you can give Robert Pattinson’s character in New Moon, Edward Cullen, a makeover–not that he needs one. This neat little game lets you select makeup and clothes for everyone’s favorite vampire. I’m not sure how I feel about putting eyeliner and lipstick on a half-nekkid cartoon Edward Cullen. Oh heck. Who am I kidding? This is why they invented the Internet.

Twilight Makeover [via TwiCrack]

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UPDATE: Voting has ended! The winners will be announced tonight, Thursday 2/19 at 8pm EST during our Chat Room Launch event! Be there or be square.

It’s that time! Last night, our New Moon poster contest entry period ended, and now it’s time to take a look at all the entries and start the voting. Each and every entry was amazing in its own way, and thanks to everyone for all the hard work they put in to making their New Moon posters. But now, it’s time to vote.

Take a look at all the entries below, and scroll down to the very bottom to place your vote. Voting will end in one week–February 18th at 11:59PM EST. The person with the most votes as well as the runner up will get the awesome prizes. Good luck to everyone!

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