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Chris Weitz Interview: His Vision for the Volturi, Proposal & More

by Will on July 23, 2009 · Comments

in Chris Weitz, Volturi

new Moon bella edward

New Moon birthday part scene Check out this 21-questions style interview with New Moon director Chris Weitz, where he goes into depth on a lot of the aspects of the movie that are on the mind of fans, including the camera-shy Volturi:

The Volturi. Can you talk about your vision for this new group of characters?

CW: No matter how strange one of the characters is in a work of fantasy, I think you kind of have to approach them as people, and so you start to think, well, they’ve been around for 2,000 years. How would they live? How would they interact with one another? The conclusion really was that after 2,000 years, you would probably be more than mildly insane, no matter how cultured or gracious you appear on the surface.

I think that’s what Michael Sheen really managed to convey in portraying Aro, the head of the Volturi, which is that on the surface, he’s terribly gracious, warm, a wonderful host, and yet at the same time he’s absolutely lethal and frightening, and it’s also kind of what Dakota Fanning kind of conveys as Jane. She’s this, in appearance, very innocent-looking, harmless-looking almost kind of a teenager, but she’s absolutely deadly.

The first thing I wanted to do was to put them in a setting that wasn’t sort of Dracula’s castle. Because I feel that’s been done, there have been so many vampire movies and werewolf movies and horror movies where everything is dreary and dark and everything is blue or green, and instead for their headquarters to be surprisingly light and crisp, and then the characters that they play have kind of a tactile reality to them, in spite of how kind of bizarre their situation is. And the whole point is not to leave kind of Forks, Wash. where everything has been very realistic, and then suddenly go to a location that completely throws you out of the movie.

So that’s kind of a difficult balance to achieve. And the set, although it’s huge and grand and magnificent, actually kind of feels like a real place. One always has the option in these kinds of situations of shooting everything in green screen and adding the set later, and I’ve done that before, but in this case, it felt really important to actually build something that surrounded the characters, that they could interact with and that had a real sense of existing in in actual space.

Read the entire interview over at Hollywood.com to learn about the proposal scene and much more, it’s a great article!

[via TwiCrack, 2 ]

See also...

  • OhEdward (The Original)
    Chris Weitz - the savior of our beloved saga!

    Move over Catherine - move over Melissa - a professional is in the HOUSE!

    Yay Chris!
  • nicnixs *need to go again* :)
    Chris is my hero!!!!

    He knows what he's talking about....he's trying to transfer the vision in the book to the screen.....

    Not do some hatchet job and then try to take all the credit when loyal fans turn up anways :) *cough* catherine *cough*
  • CC; MiamiCoven'sJane
    Amen!
    We all love Chris more and more every day.

    He should have directed Twilight!

    Catherine and Melissa need some classes.
  • othersescape
    Yes, I believe he's gonna get it right this time around.
  • OhEdward (The Original)
    Me too! We are all looking so forward to his success on this!
  • Kim1524 (Fanfic Junkie)
    You said it OE!!! All hail Weitz!!
  • TOtally agree, He has done a great job so can't wait for movie :)
  • Jeez, is it so wrong that i wanna thank Chris BIG Time and I haven't even seen the movie yet???
  • Lali [T. Jacksper in Uniform!]
    Amen to that OE!!
    Well said! ;-)
  • i agree :D
  • crazy4cullens*RollingRockRob
    Love love love Chris for doing right by New Moon. I think we all can agree that even before seeing the movie we can have confidence in knowing he has done his best to portray this book as we would want it to be done.

    He just seems to have such a keen understanding on the feel of this saga.

    I can't wait to see the final product.

    Thanks Chris!!
  • TheLionFellIn<3W/Ceci-ROBECI
    Woohoo VOLTURI... Man I think I love Chris... he makes me happy.... lol!!!

    I can't wait to see them in action.... I can't wait to see NM. PERIOD!!!
  • neev
    I KNOW I love Chris and also very much admire him. He's just amazing!
  • TheLionFellIn<3W/Ceci-ROBECI
    He IS.. love that man!!!
  • Kim1524 (Fanfic Junkie)
    First?
  • OhEdward (The Original)
    come Skype
  • Is there a place everyone can skype, or is it a private chat?

    I love NMM.org, but I'm trying to find chat outlets on Twitter, Skype, etc where I can find all you guys!

    <3 <3 <3
  • nicnixs *need to go again* :)
    Are you on twitter??

    Nearly everyone is there.......skype tends to be more private....

    I am on twittter as nicnixs...and you will see some of the other NMM people in my list of friends....
  • Thanks for info... I am so out of the loop!

    ::runs over to Twitter to find NMM.org friends!:::

    <3 <3 <3

    I am abbyl3wis on Twitter, btw
  • nicnixs *need to go again* :)
    I see you...hold on i'll accept you :)
  • agava CW4BD
    Oh goddie another one :)

    **Runs off to Twitter**
  • CathyCullen(RIP Orange Pants)
    Whoop 2nd!
  • daniel_cullen
    Congrats Kim!

    Man, I'm lovin' this! So Chris is there? WOW!! That has to be the bomb for everyone!

    Definitely envious :(
  • NessieandJacobforever
    4th
  • CC; MiamiCoven'sJane
    Chris W. is a hero.

    Keep the news coming!

    God, this is so exciting :)
    Im not at ComicCon and Im excited with all these new posts.
    I can only imagine how those that are there feel!
  • edwardcullen_luvr
    It it totally my new goal to be first on one of these posts!!! I was 2nd yesterday, but that apparently isn't good enough! Pathetic???

    As for Chris Weitz - I am loving him so far!!
  • NeGin*
    woOw it was coOoOlllllll
  • Francoise27
    WOW i AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD SEENING THE VOLTURI... It's really great that chris didn't portrait them too dracula-like. Wondering how the scene can be really realistic....?
  • othersescape
    That's really cool. It's probably not going to look anything like I pictured it to. As much as he is right that the dark thing has been overdone, when they first meet the Volturi, I pictured it being dark and blue. I can't help that. So, I am interested to see how different it is going to be.
  • Robsten Lovers Girl
    Yay
  • LovesJasper
    I think if I lived 2,000 years in the same place I'd be a little bat sh*t myself!
  • honey bee
    Vision of the Volturi, eh? They should share some of this vision with us. Release some pics, Summit! :)
  • edwardcullen_luvr
    No kidding, why are they holding out on us???
  • honey bee
    Summit should release a new trailer with a snippet of a shirtless Volturi! That is the only way I will forgive them. *crosses arms* lol
  • agava CW4BD
    I'm gonna blow their freakin' headquarters up if I don't see even a mall glimpse of the Volturi today!!!!!!!!!!!!


    arghhhhhh
  • nicnixs *need to go again* :)
    *spins around for honey bee*

    Thanks for the Avatar babes :) *hugs*
  • honey bee
    ROFLMAO!!! Nicky, I almost choked on my lettuce! :D

    Here's the site. :} I think you'll get a real kick out of it. ;}

    http://www.sugarbushsquirrel.com/

    *hugs*
  • nicnixs *need to go again* :)
    er.....honey bee.....

    before i click the link...tell me sugarbush...is not in any way squirrel porn....Eddie would get upset LOL

    Sorry...but i'm just hearing Mel Gibson say Sugar T*ts in my mind LOL
  • honey bee
    LOL Erm. This is as racy as it gets, Eddie.
    http://i27.tinypic.com/51zpys.jpg Promise. lol
  • twilightx3
    yayyy some volturi newss =)
  • rachaelwsz
    Can wait no longer... Ah.
  • Spunk Ransom "Spunkie"
    They keep talking about it and showing us pictures and now the website is up....it's only going to get worse closer to Nov!

    They keep teasing us just like Rob does with his underwear!
  • Featherheaven~Team Leg Hitch
    I agree. We keep getting pieces of the puzzle. I want to see the Volturi!!!!
  • Spunk Ransom "Spunkie"
    Me too!!! We've seen a little of everything except for them!
    I bet they will look awesome!
  • Featherheaven~Team Leg Hitch
    Chris Weitz is doing such a great job with everything I am sure they do. But SHOW us them already. How many more days till the movie premiere??
  • Spunk Ransom "Spunkie"
    Chris has exceeded my expectations by far!!! He has done an awesome job!
    I'm not sure on when the premier is.
  • Noneofthosefreaky_Virgos_here
    i know, everytime i see something new, i almost cry because im soo excited lol

    november can't come fast enough!!! =(
  • Spunk Ransom "Spunkie"
    I'm kinda glad they aren't showing too much - I would like to see surprises in the movie but a glimpse at the Volturi would be awesome!
  • Noneofthosefreaky_Virgos_here
    lol in a way i want to be surprised too but then i think about it and im not sure. i'm going to see the movie with my friends and if i get caught off guard, im gonna cry insanely lol
  • Um...i think you gonna wanna change your name. That name is alread taken by my 'God Mother'. She has had that name for ages. We have a rule on here about name and Avater claiming. And you have taken an already claimed name. The real TSH, has found out. And, shes a mod.
  • errr excuse me but are you stealing my name???

    I like the fact that you admire the name so much but I would very much appreciate if you could select another name...

    I am asking you nicely because there is a rule where we don't steal avatars and we definitely DO NOT steal names that are already being used.

    Please would be you nice enough to select a unique name that defines you as you unique nmm'er?

    Thank you so much
    TSH
  • FL95 (Team Unicorn)
    *taps Team_SpaceHeaters on the shoulder*

    Ummm..... dude that name's already taken... ya might be wanting ta scurvy up another one lest ye be taken below ta scrub tha decks

    Just a suggestion... *smiles showing wooden pirate teeth*
  • are you going to be on pirate talk all day now...your husband will think you're nuts when you get home!
  • FL95 (Team Unicorn)
    Me can'ts be stopping maytee!! LOL!

    He'll probably just ask me which fan fic I was reading today!!! LOL!

    Can you even imagine a FF with pirate Edward!?!
  • I want Capn' Edward!!! If you start writing that short story then you
    better have a Capn' Paulex for me!!

    I still want you to get the happy day theme tune into your fan fic!
  • FL95 (Team Unicorn)
    have you by any chance caught my new one yet?

    I will DEFS be thinking about how to write a little short something or
    other about Cap'n Edward... and I'll make sure Paul gets in there ... LOL!
  • no I haven't ...please tell me the opening scene it that they are watching
    the Fonz!!!
  • FL95 (Team Unicorn)
    LMAO!!

    noooo... *blushes* I totally dropped the ball on that, didn't I!?

    damn it!!

    I'll make it up to you in this one... LOL!
  • FL95 (Team Unicorn)
    TSH, just wanted to let you know.... I'm writing ch 5 right now in the
    new FF and I'm dedicating it to you... that's all I'm saying!!! LOL!
  • yay!!!!

    I can't wait!!!!
  • FL95 (Team Unicorn)
    Oh it's cracking me up, and I think I'm gonna make it a thing with the
    guys... you'll see ... having fun!

    later mama!
  • OMG you have to tell me when you update!!!!

    I can't wait to read it!
  • FL95 (Team Unicorn)
    Will do lady, should be in a couple days, I'll ping ya. LOL
  • And by the way also I am Moderator on this site and this seriously isn't going to be considered cool amongst the rest of nmm'ers here. So again I ask you very nicely please please go change your name.

    Thank you!
  • Noneofthosefreaky_Virgos_here
    okay im rly sry... the disqus thing keeps giving me an error everytime i try to change it. please have patience with me?
  • *grabs NOTFVH (we all tend to abbreviate the name) and gives her a huge bear hug*

    Welcome to NMM and hope you have hours of fun like we all do!
  • FL95 (Team Unicorn)
    LMFAO!! Love the name girlie!!!
  • Noneofthosefreaky_Virgos_here
    lol thank you <3 :) i like urs too. unicorns? lol where did that come from?
  • Noneofthosefreaky_Virgos_here
    lol thank you <3 :) i like urs too. unicorns? lol where did that come from?
  • FL95 (Team Unicorn)
    *clears throat*

    It's from a... um.... fan fiction story. Lots and lots of us have read
    it on here, it's freaking brilliant, and funny, and hot and sexy.

    *smiles widely*

    If you think you might wanna read it, and you're over 18 years old, let
    me know what your email addy is and I'll forward you the link. We're
    not allowed to talk about it on here by it's actual name, b/c it's adult
    themed and younguns might read it.

    ;)
  • Noneofthosefreaky_Virgos_here
    lol count me in ;) its babyprincez38@yahoo.com .....lmao dont make fun of me lol, i made my email adress many many years back and its always been more convenient to just stick to it lol
  • Noneofthosefreaky_Virgos_here
    lol thank you <3

    i go on the website all the time but i never commented....i'm not sure why lol

    :) is it weird that im excited now? lol
  • FL95 (Team Unicorn)
    LOL not weird, we're all freaks!

    *calls out*

    Twilight freaks raise your hands!

    *raises hand*
  • Noneofthosefreaky_Virgos_here
    *raises hand proudly

    :)
  • FL95 (Team Unicorn)
    PS, you can set your settings so you get emails when someone responds, and then you can just reply to the email instead of coming on here with your comments, makes it easier sometimes... ;)
  • Noneofthosefreaky_Virgos_here
    lol i have to use my phone to answer now because i got caught at work...lol

    but thanks for the tip, its a lot easier answering from my email :)
  • ItsRobert_Effing_Pattinson
    **looks closely**

    Err...who the heck are you?? Your name says TSH, but the avatar is all wrong.....

    Are you tryin to confuse us around here? I would suggest changing the name, honey. We respect each other on this site enough not to use the same name or avatar. While some new people here tend to be a bit stubborn about accepting that fact, I am hoping that these replied you have received will be enough to get you to change it.

    Although, if you DONT change it, it is gonna be FUN for me to sit back and watch the ORIGINAL TSH jump your sh*t everytime you are here!!

    YAY!

    *grabs popcorn*

    *shouts to original TSH*
    ..Okay, lady, if she doesnt change it, I want a good show, dammit!!

    LOL
  • FL95 (Team Unicorn)
    *covers mouth and giggles*
  • ItsRobert_Effing_Pattinson
    *points to poser*

    *glaring at FL95*

    Do NOT give the newbie any cookies till she changes that name!!

    ...that'll show her!!!


    LMAO
  • FL95 (Team Unicorn)
    eye eye cap'n!!!

    *stands at attention guarding cookies*
  • ♥LoveThemCullenBoys ♥s Edward♥
    Hi!

    You must be new here...Love the avatar but that name has been

    taken by TSH..like the others have mentioned..TSH is a MOD on this

    site and she has that name already..

    We have a thing about avatars and especiallly NAMES on NMM.org..

    there's tons to choose from.. but..

    Welcome to NMM.org!!

    Your gonna like it here I know it..

    =0)
  • Noneofthosefreaky_Virgos_here
    lol thanks, yea i didnt know that the name was already taken and then disqus kept giving me an error.
  • Noneofthosefreaky_Virgos_here
    AHH damn it, i accidentally mispelled Virgos =(
  • ItsRobert_Effing_Pattinson
    YAY!

    *throws confetti*

    Thanks for changing your name!

    We nmm'ers are very happy that you weren't stubborn or crappy about it!!

    I am sure that you will see we meant no harm in our replies to you, we are just very possessive about our avatars and screen names here!

    And, since you are new...

    *gives NOTFVH complimentary mint*

    WELCOME!!!

    LOVE The new SN btw!!

    :)
  • ♥LoveThemCullenBoys ♥s Edward♥
    COOL!!

    Welcome To NMM.org!!!!

    Gives NOTFV Team Jacob ballons!!

    Woo Hoo!!

    lol
  • Noneofthosefreaky_Virgos_here
    lol thank you for the complimentary mint ItsRobert_Effing_Patterson :) and for the balloons LTCB.

    okay so im alittle confused with the Disqus thing. I had to reply to myself for me to comment on ur comments? so ...... do u see my comment? lol

    gah! im such a newb
  • NeGin*
    Can u see the live thing?????????????????????????????????

    please if u can send it again i can't open it pls pls pls
  • nicnixs *need to go again* :)
    I saw the words vision of the volturi....and nearly had a cardiac arrest!!!!!

    Chris i love you......you're the best.....

    But where are the damn pictures already!!!!!!!

    *looks at number of exlamation marks......god this is stressing me out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*
  • agava CW4BD
    I want to seee that vision tooo!!!!!!!!!!

    It's the greed I'm telling you!!!!

    c'mon Chris!!! stop acting greedily!!!!!!!
  • nicnixs *need to go again* :)
    I want it....i want it........

    *bashes head off desk* lol
  • rachaelwsz
    Oh my. I couldn't recognise you for a moment nicnixs...

    lmao. That's one very cute Statue of Liberty. ;)
  • nicnixs *need to go again* :)
    Well....as soon as i open my dirty mouth....you'll be in no doubt!!!

    Now where is my bloody naked Michael Sheen pictu.......er....i mean a
    picture of the volturi please Chris....
  • edwardcullen_luvr
    I like your new avatar!
  • nicnixs *need to go again* :)
    *shakes squirrel butt*

    Why thank you :) LOL
  • NeGin*
    Can u see the live thing?????????????????????????????????

    please if u can send it again i can't open it pls pls pls
  • jenlillian
    nope we aren't getting anything anywhere.. :(
  • cclore ~ Team CW for BD
    CW is brilliant! Enough said!
  • I love CW!!!!!!
  • rachaelwsz
    The CW love would probably get bigger by the time NM is released...

    November...
    Come out, come out, wherever you are....
  • Rob_is_my_Kryptonite
    I love Chris! Hearing him explain how he approached New Moon just makes me EVEN more excited to see it!
  • rachaelwsz
    *checks under the bed*

    Nope.

    November is no where to be found yet... *sighs*
  • just_hyper (JB)
    Chris we trust you with the movie & the Volturi stuff but how bout a little less interviews & more focus on releasing Volturi pics...or the movie...take your pick.
    Thanks that would be GREAT!
  • Noneofthosefreaky_Virgos_here
    i LOVE Chris. based on what i've read in his interviews so far, i want him to direct all of the twilight saga movies =/
  • errr excuse me but are you stealing my name???

    I like the fact that you admire the name so much but I would very much appreciate if you could select another name...

    I am asking you nicely because there is a rule where we don't steal avatars and we definitely DO NOT steal names that are already being used.

    Please would be you nice enough to select a unique name that defines you as you unique nmm'er?

    Thank you so much
    TSH
  • What Obsession?
    If only he actually showed what the Volturi look like then we would understand better ;), LOL!
  • VampTramp (Team Twilight)
    Why the heck can't time go by faster??? What the h#ll is taking so long? How are we going to get through this wait? I'm about to fursplode over here.....and I'm a vamp lover.
  • I<3Edward
    I love Chris!! I am so glad that he chose to use Stephenie Meyer's vision of New Moon and that is how it should be.....................................................................

    I am so sick of directors that think they need to put their own personality in the movie especially when its already based on a book

    *cough* Catherine Hardwicke*cough
  • Kay
    This article was great!
    CW is my favorite person in the world right now...
    Reading his interview makes me even more anxious for november to come.
    AAH!!
    *sigh* 3 months and 27 days more....................
  • me
    Chris is amazing! but hmm...melissa still writes the scripts...I think shes not that good at it ...not in twilight anyways....
  • FL95 (Team Unicorn)
    Hi me... LOL... I just wanted to do that b/c now it sounds like I'm talking to myself, which I kinda am, but not really since me is you and I am am .... me... which is... you.

    *scratches head*

    Who's on first again?
  • I really have got to say that after this iterview i feel like, like i just Love Chris, not in that "oh i love you!!! butterflys and strawberry" kinda way, but in that "i wanna be his best friend" kinda way.
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