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]
Re-cast Jasper. That guy gave me a major case of the willies.
i think taylor was great and if he recasts him he will loose a lot of fans
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.
the golden compass was great – I havent seen Twilight yet but I am thinking Chris will do a great job with its sequel.
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.
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?
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.
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.)
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!
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!
Lautner = Jacob
I should know, I am a vampire.
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.