The New Director Of The ‘Twilight’ Movies Speaks To Fans
In an effort to put fears at ease and allay any initial concern, Chris Weitz (the man who directed the big screen adaptation of The Golden Compass and who has just been named as the new director of the Twilight sequel New Moon) has posted a letter written directly to “fans of Twilight, New Moon, Bella, Edward and Jacob” on the official website of Stephanie Meyer, the author of the Twilight Saga books. Here is a message left to fans by Meyer herself that prefaces this letter from Chris Weitz and then the actual letter written and attributed to Weitz as was posted online this weekend as well as :
Hey guys,
There’s been a lot of worry and speculation on the boards lately, and I want to let you know what’s going on. First of all, like you, I’m sad that Catherine is not continuing on with us for New Moon. I’m going to miss her, not just as a brilliant director, but also as a friend. She has such a distinct, authentic voice that did amazing things for Twilight. I’m looking forward to every movie she does in the future. And she didn’t leave us empty handed. We still get the benefits of her amazing casting and the beautiful visual world she created. This foundation puts us in a good place for New Moon. Summit Films is moving forward with a new director for New Moon. They’ve asked Chris Weitz, director of American Pie, About a Boy, and The Golden Compass, to join us, and I am very pleased to announce that he’s agreed to be a part of our Twilight world. I’ve had the chance to talk to Chris, and I can tell you that he is excited by the story and eager to keep the movie as close to the book as possible. He is also very aware of you, the fans, and wants to keep you all extremely happy. (Torches and pitchforks are not going to be necessary.) I’m excited to work with Chris and I think he brings a lot to the table, not the least of which for me is that he wrote the screenplay for and directed one of my favorite movies of all time, About a Boy. I’m really looking forward to seeing his vision for New Moon. Below is a letter from Chris to you. I think you’ll get a glimpse in this note of how cool it’s going to be having Chris as part of our community.
HMMM. On the one hand, I am very happy to see that Chris either decided or was encouraged to write a letter directly to fans. I think this shows a bit of commitment to making sure he is going to at least try to make the best film he can because he genuinely cares for the fans (or at least sounds like he cares). I am concerned to read that the letter implies that Weitz has just now read the Twilight Saga books. The first line makes it pretty evident that he has no real experience with the stories … and is supposedly to start preproduction on New Moon this coming week. That’s not to say he can’t handle the job, in fact I suspect many directors aren’t fully versed in the stories they direct before they get down to the work of movie making but … still …
As much as Stephanie Meyer says that we can put our “torches and pitchforks” away, I think there is cause for concern. The Golden Compass movie was by pretty much all accounts a failure and it was based on one of the most amazingly inventive and beloved books. It is possible the same could happen with New Moon. I’m never one to prejudge scenarios like this … but I think it’s OK to be concerned. I guess we’ll have to wait and see … at least we won’t have to wait long, New Moon is slated for a November 2009 release in theaters. Alls I know is that Weitz better do right by Jacob … the next movie is Jacob’s time to shine … he best not let any of us down. What do y’all think … worried?
[Source, thanks Jessica]
Tags: 'New Moon', 'Twilight', Chris Weitz
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December 14th, 2008 at 9:59 am
He better not recast Jacob. That will be his fist big mistake
December 14th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Trent do u think they should recast Jacob? I don’t :(
December 14th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Twilight was a disappointment IMO. Then again very few good books look good on big screen. I think they should stop making anymore while they are at it. Only reason they made so much money because of the big hype. Personally I will just stick with the books.
December 14th, 2008 at 10:36 am
I don’t see why his having just read the books should be a concern. Neither Pattinson nor Stewart had read the books before they were cast. It doesn’t take long to understand the story and, moreover, the feelings within this saga. The cast are very in tune with their characters and the emotions, and have said so when they disagreed with something in the script. Hardwicke did a good job, but I am sure everyone can pick out at least one scene or moment that was ackward. I found several, unfortunately. I’m not saying I could have done any better, so don’t yell at me. I’m not a director or screenwriter, but I know there’s a lot of good ones out there. I think its a waste of time to “worry” about this.
December 14th, 2008 at 10:58 am
My only concern is that they do a better job than Twilight, and please dont make Bella & Jacob relationship more than what it was it seems thats the way they are heading, I hope not or I will be a very PO fan.
December 14th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I’m happy with this news, IMO The Golden Compass was a way better adaptation than Twilight. Twilight was overly cheesy, trite and all around awful to watch if you hadn’t read the book. I knew it wasn’t going to be a cinematic masterpiece but still, it could have been a lot better. At least 4 couples/groups that I noticed got up and walked out of the theatre when I saw it. I think a new director may be able to bring a new way of looking at bringing the story to life on the big screen and hopefully win over fans like me who after seeing the first movie didn’t think they would bother to see any of the others.
December 14th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I don’t think they should recast Jacob either, Taylor Laughtner was great in ‘Twilight’
December 14th, 2008 at 11:11 am
I don’t think they should recast Jacob either, Taylor was great in ‘Twilight’
December 14th, 2008 at 11:41 am
The thing everyone forgets to mention is that he adapted About a Boy and did a brilliant job! Sure, it’s not the same type of book as Twilight, but it’s an adaptation nonetheless. He did do a strange job with The Golden Compass, but personally, I didn’t hate it (I was just angry that he cut off the book’s ending to be more sequel friendly). Have faith guys! At least he knows how to deal with a bigger budget and CGI, which was probably the reason Hardwicke needed so much time to prepare (her inexperience in such areas).
December 14th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I’m a little worried that they will rush it and it won’t be true to the book. I don’t they should recast Jacob either, Taylor fit the character perfectly & was what I pictured while reading. I have my fingers crossed that “New Moon” comes out well. It sounds like Stephenie Meyer will be involved in the whole process which should help.
December 14th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Totally not worried :) And I have to say that I think one of the reason Golden Compass failed was because of all the negative hype, and boycotting, not because he did a bad job. I personally loved the movie, although I despise Philip Pullman….
December 14th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
And I disagree Trent… Taylor has got to go! His acting had me reaching for a doggie bag. barf.
December 14th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Taylor = Jacob. His acting was fine.
December 14th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I am a little nervous!!!!!
December 14th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
In my opinion, the only reason why “The Golden Compass” was a failure (at least in the US) is because closed-minded religious fanatics in this country succeeded in their efforts to misguide the public about the books and therefore the film. And because the books are written for older and very sophisticated, intelligent children it could not fight off the bad press the way the Harry Potter books did. (I LOVE the HP books by the way–I’m just saying that they are not as “young adult” in their ideas and writing style as Pullman’s books.) I thought GC was a superb adaptation that only improves upon subsequent viewings.
December 14th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
He’s read the books, yes? I don’t think it really matters when. That sort of thinking only creates fans who think they’re superior to everyone else simply because they’ve been following a band/reading a book for longer. It doesn’t make a difference.
Also, we’re not talking about Tolkien here. They’re not complex books. An average director could do a perfectly adequate job. And Chris Weitz is definitely above average.
December 14th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
This was def a good move on his part to write a letter to the fans, and it sounds like he is taking the right approach to this movie. He really stressed that he wanted to create a faithful adaptation, which is key since the second biggest concern (the first being about the casting of jacob) is that Edward not be forced into appearances in the movie where he’s absent in the books. While I see Trent’s point about Chris only just reading the books — and it does seem he has only just read them — I am not all that concerned. It’s clear Chris realizes he has a HUGE responsibility here and alot of fan expectations to live up to, and is taking that seriously. That’s a good sign that he’ll be doing his homework over the next few weeks. And I’m def glad they brought on someone with more effects experience
December 14th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
alright. kudos to him for actually caring about the fans. i think i can breathe a liiiittle bit easier now about this movie.
but they still better not recast jacob.
December 14th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I hope he does a good job adapting the story. I was a little terrified when I heard there would be a new director because I was thinking the style it’s shot in would be different. Every director has a different vision. If he recasts Jacob, I will throw the biggest fit anyone has ever seen. It will be such a mistake. Taylor Lautner can go on a crash exercise junket, and do just fine. And honestly, I think that the fact he’s just now reading the story is fantastic. You know that the first time you read each book, the scenes in your mind were vastly more vivid. Let’s just pray to our respective gods that things work out.
December 14th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
I wouldn’t like for him to recast Jacob, I thought Taylor was perfect as him, but I’m wondering how he couldn’t recast him. Taylor is kind of a short kid and in the book Jacob goes from this young man to this 6 foot something giant, which is not Taylor. I honestly think they’re going to have to recast him or else use some really good special effects to make him look huge.
December 14th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
First of all, Taylor is only 15 years old. He has a lot growing up to do. But, with weight training and the right stylist he can carry out to be Jacob in New Moon. They can do all kinds of tricks like make him stand on a box or things like that… it’ll be fine.
December 14th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I think it’s much easier to appreciate the movie as “inspired” by the books. You build up too much hype and expectations for something like this and it will never have a chance. I think it’s important also that people understand that Edward MUST go away. It’s integral to the story and in the end it solidifies Bella and Edwards relationship as more than just a high school fling. She is given Jacob, her opportunity to have as normal a life as possible, but she chooses Edward. The people who can’t fathem this because of their crushes on Edward, aren’t fully understanding the story for what it is, a TRUE love story.
If the director can accept these things and capture the true reason behind Stephenie’s writing, the movie will be great. Jacob didn’t have very much in the first film, to develop his relationship with Bella, because the first book is about letting Bella and Edward fall in love. Taylor did a good job for someone with his experience levels and age and if they were smart, they would keep him on because of his seemingly natural conection with Jacob’s character.
I look forward to how this turns out regardless, and hopefully people will let go of their worries and misconceptions and put a little faith in it.
December 14th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Re-cast Jasper. That guy gave me a major case of the willies.
December 15th, 2008 at 1:04 am
i think taylor was great and if he recasts him he will loose a lot of fans
December 15th, 2008 at 5:29 am
I think they should keep Jacob because everytime they do movies and change the actors for the same characters, it ruins the movie completely. Its not the same feel, not the same emotional rollercoaster ride you had before. As for Chris Weitz, I suspect he will be working extra hard not to get trampled on by all these fans but at the same time, you can’t blame him if his end result isnt the best. Not everyone is perfect, give the guy a shot.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:40 am
the golden compass was great – I havent seen Twilight yet but I am thinking Chris will do a great job with its sequel.
December 15th, 2008 at 10:41 am
I wasn’t nervous about him until I heard the rumours about replacing Taylor Lautner for someone who looks older. Thats a quick way to upset the majority of twilighters. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that it turns out alright.
December 15th, 2008 at 10:59 am
I think Chris Weitz will at the very least do an adequate job, and on the other end, he might do a fantasic job! He’s got the backing of the author (who is all about control of her work, rightfully so); he was nominated for an Academy Award for his with work in adapting About a Boy; and even though The Golden Compass didn’t do as well as it could have domestically, he has had big commerical success with American Pie. He made the effort to reach out to the fans, something the different directors of the Harry Potter franchise didn’t even do. I think he’s at least a promising choice…
As for Taylor Laughtner, he definitely did a good job in Twilight…and maybe this is my lack of knowledge with movie special effects here talking…but in the books, Jacob grows ALOT. Im not saying they should absolutely recast and put someone NBA player-sized in there, but I am curious as to how they are going to stay faithful to the books if they do keep Taylor on?
December 15th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Ooh, I know the feeling. I got worried when they mentioned this was the director who adapted the Golden Compass. But I think that mistake was centered on the weirdos protesting it and the watered down version we got because of it. About a boy was really good though. So its some hope that he will be able to do emotional, sweet, funny films and then add some great effects to it- you have to admit the polar bears fighting was badass in GC- and hopefully they will really bring out the best parts of Jacob in this film.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
I haven’t seen Twilight, as I am no fan, but I might as well before I pass judgment on the director and Taylor Lautner. For now, though, I think the only problem would be for Taylor’s lack of muscle and beef-cakeness. So he’ll have to work crazy by the release of the next movie. (Nov 09? Crazy! HP does every other year, at least.)
December 15th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
I really hope there is no recasting. Nothing is more annoying than seeing different actors play the same character in a movie series. And I do think that Taylor Lautner did a good job in the first movie, there are enough special effects (when used properly) to give him that giant werewolf-look. That being said the only thing I’m worried about is having to sit through half a movie of Bella being depressed and Jacob trying to get her to fall in love with him. 300 pages of that was too much the first time around. I get that she ends up loving him and that it’s important that she sees the difference between her love for Jacob and her love for Edward, but my God the book was depressing enough, hopefully the movie won’t be!
December 16th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I for one am looking forward to Chris creating his magic for upcoming New Moon, seeing his American Pie and Golden Compass, I have no doubt he will do a great job. As for replacing Taylor, Steven Strait is perfect, he looks like older Jacob which he supposed to be older and taller!
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Lautner = Jacob
I should know, I am a vampire.
December 31st, 2008 at 9:56 am
I think that while Twilight wasn’t as great as the book, it was still a good effort and whatever the film lacks in CGI and all these extra things, the chemistry of the actors made up for it. Let’s just hope that it’ll be the same for New Moon. The Golden Compass was actually a visually pleasing film and if they could translate that to New Moon, it’d do wonders for the show. But I do agree, Taylor Lautner’s got to go, he and kristen stewart hardly have the chemistry that will make the audience believe they have a ‘profound connection’. Yikes.