‘Twilight’ Director Catherine Hardwicke FIRED!
Bummer news for fans of the Twilight movie (possibly) … Catherine Hardwicke, the woman who directed the film (which made $70+ million at the box office on opening weekend) and was on track to direct the movie’s sequel New Moon (and possibly the rest of the franchise), has been fired by the movie studio! Clearly this was a big shock to Hardwicke who, just a few days ago, was giving interviews where she was already talking about her plans for directing the next movie (ie. she was planning to begin filming New Moon around March of ‘09 with a 2010 release for the film). I understand that Hardwicke is currently still on the road promoting Twilight as news of her firing is making the rounds. No word yet on who has been chosen to replace her but one thing’s for sure … Catherine Hardwicke will not be making any more films for the Twilight saga:
So the rumors are true. I’ve confirmed that Summit Entertainment is taking Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke off the sequel in this big new franchise. No doubt my news will speed up the studio’s announcement, and Summit will surely scramble to spin this as all going down amicably along the lines that she “couldn’t fit the film into her time frame”. But this terrible news for Hardwicke comes just as she and the Twilight cast are on their European press tour. No doubt, tomorrow’s interviews in France will now focus entirely on what, if anything, Catherine did to deserve this treatment. This also could blow up into a scandal for Summit if it chooses a male director over Hardwicke, whose Twilight easily beat Mimi Leder’s 1998 Deep Impact box office gross as the biggest opener for a female director. That was a record embraced by Hollywood feminists as a sign of growing gal power. Now Hardwicke’s career will surely be damaged by this very public firing because, even though the pic was skewered by critics, it is already a $160M low-cost blockbuster. Summit has started preparing the sequel New Moon, based on Meyer’s second book in the series, and, to contain costs, the studio is considering making third book Eclipse back to back). The word from inside Summit is that Hardwicke, the acclaimed Thirteen director, “was ‘difficult’ and ‘irrational’ during the making of Twilight,” one insider explains to me. “That doesn’t mean anything when you’re talking about a filmmaker because they all are, but still…” (Indeed, Joe Roth and Sony kept saying those things about Julie Taymor on Across The Universe. Yet she made a cult classic and is now directing Marvel/Sony’s Spider-Man for Broadway.) From another of my sources, “Summit didn’t like her. They’re saying the DP [director of photography] Elliot Davis is the one responsible for the film’s sumptuous visual look, that the editor Nancy Richardson had to save the film in post-production, and Summit thought Hardwicke’s [CAA] agent Beth Swofford was alternately ineffectual and hysterical [when it came to controlling her client].” In fact, I’m told that the studio has even had quiet talks with other CAA directors for the last week. “And Swofford never told Hardwicke about that and that she was about to get kicked to the gutter,” an insider tells me. “To add insult to injury, Hardwicke can now look forward to being grilled by the press for days on end, in front of the cast, about why she’s getting shit-canned.”
Damn, that really does suck. Here is a report from MTV just a few days ago where Hardwicke was talking about her plans to begin filming the next movie:
“Well, right now we’re trying to figure out if the studio people, and me, and everyone’s on the same page,” the “Twilight” director explained exclusively to MTV News, addressing the fans who’ve already begun debating where — and with whom — the franchise should go from here. “I want to do ['New Moon'] better than we did ‘Twilight,’ and do it really cool. I definitely don’t want to do it as something just tossed off, like a ‘Saw II’ or something like that. We want to be sure that it’s really going to be great and that everyone’s on the same page. “I would say that the film could be finished by the end of 2009, if not the beginning of 2010; cameras could be rolling in about five months,” Hardwicke said of her March/April timetable, should she return to helm the pic. “We spent about a year and three months getting ['Twilight'] ready, between writing the script and casting. We could probably do things a little bit faster this time, but who knows? It depends. And sometimes you can do things really fast. You can get two editors on, and you can just zip through.”
The report goes on HERE and talks about her vision for the way she was planning to handle the logistics of bringing Jacob’s character to live in New Moon (read on if you dare but beware of spoilers) but it looks like, at this point, all of her comments are moot. Personally, I think Hardwicke did a great job adapting the book into movie. I agree that it would look very suspicious if the movie studio decides to hand the director’s chair over to a male director. It seems to me that the woman responsible for setting the new box office record for the biggest opening weekend gross by a female director should be allowed to direct the next movie in the franchise. I suspect fans that weren’t happy with the way the movie was adapted might be pleased by this news. I dunno … it seems very wrong to me. What do y’all think? Should Catherine Hardwicke be replaced?
[Photo credit: Bauer-Griffin; Source, Source]
Tags: 'Twilight', Catherine Hardwicke
RSS
Feedburner
December 8th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Ouch…seems fishy to me.
December 8th, 2008 at 7:56 am
I felt alot of my disappointment in the movie was the result of poor directing, so I’m not upset to see Catherine go (most of the other blame going on the sript) I’ve heard reports Summit felt they didn’t need to give New Moon any bigger (or at least not much bigger) a budget then they gave Twilight. If this is true, it is probably one of the biggest points of contention between Catherine and the studio since she has repeatedly said she wanted a bigger effects budget for New Moon and she wished she’d had a bigger effects budget for Twilight (and in fact Edward’s sparkling, jumping, and tree-limb throwing abilities have all been the most consistently criticized points of the film). New Moon will definitely need more effects money for Jacob and his pack. I think this taken together with the supposed “personality” clashes and Summit’s desire to equate change with improvement are to blame for her ousting. And to an extent this is a step in the right direction. I feel it was needed, and I think it would be great if they could get a female director to continue the series (I’ve seen Katherine Bigelow’s name getting thrown around on message boards) I don’t think it is a neccessity (except maybe PR wise). To me, this isn’t about the director’s sex, but rather their skill so I would hope if there is a male director named it wouldn’t cause a huge negative backlash (especially since I’ve seen a lot of clamoring for Alfonso Cuaron who I think would be great for it). I’m just worried they sincerely think they can continue using bad effects…Twilight did well b/c people love the books and girls loved Rob, so they were inclined to see if 2, 3, even 4 times even though they disliked it the first time around. A big change like this is neccessary to renew people’s hope for New Moon to received more positive intial reactions from the fans.
December 8th, 2008 at 8:03 am
I didn’t like how the movie was directed and ended and stuff. So yep. I guess she should go. It may be wrong in the eyes of some, but it’s just the right thing to do.
December 8th, 2008 at 8:07 am
yeah she should go and it doesn’t matter whether they hire a man or a woman – hire someone skilled! The movie did great because it’s a great story with a lot of fans, not b/c of her “skill”
December 8th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Why does everything have to come back to sex, race, religion, etc??? She did a crappy job. The casting was great, but the movie didn’t do any justice to the book. If she’s replaced by a man then it’s because he’s more qualified for the job, not because he’s a man. The more we recognize differences, the more we set ourselves back.
December 8th, 2008 at 8:16 am
First thing I said when I walked out of the theater was “They need to fire the director if they plan on making a sequel” I don’t care if they director is male or female (I’m female), I care if the movie is good. I loved the books and I was disappointed with Twilight.
December 8th, 2008 at 8:23 am
As much as I love her, she is better with indies. This is supposed to be a big blockbuster, and it’s not her style.
December 8th, 2008 at 8:38 am
i thought the same thing as ana.. when i heard they were making new moon i was thinking ‘ i really hope they find a new director and a bigger budget for the next movie’.. i mean, although i liked the movie, twilight was the most important book of the series and it could have been made sooo much better than it was and i think the main reason is because of the directing and the budget.. and i agree, who CARES if the new director is a woman or not, its all about the end result and who is better for the job
December 8th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Trent, you liked how she directed the film?! I read the book. However, after disregarding the horrible adaptation, as a movie itself, it sucked! It was horribly directed! The cuts were choppy, the transitions weren’t smooth, the acting was terribly directed. These are not opinions, they are facts. The proof is in the film. What movie were you watching?
December 8th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Ok…soo she didn’t get FIRED. News says that there were scheduling conflicts because they have decided to shoot NEW MOON and ECLIPSE back-to-back starting in March.
December 8th, 2008 at 8:58 am
i love all 4 of the twilight books and i was VERY disappointed with the movie so i am not upset by this at all. to go along with what Peter said, they also used a lot of Stock film, film that wasn’t exactly shot for the twilight movie. Man, woman, i dont care, just get someone in there who will do New Moon and the rest of the series some justice!!!
December 8th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I agree with pretty much everyone else on here. I liked the movie, but it could’ve been much, much better if there were better effects and a lot less cheesiness factor. I know the books are a little cheesy, but what made the movie cheesy was definitely the horrible effects and directing of the actors. I really could care less if a director is a male or female, they just need to be skilled. I’m going to throw Guillermo del Toro’s name out there (Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy). He does amazing effects and is a great storyteller. Who knows if he would direct New Moon, but here’s hoping!!
December 8th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Also, Guillermo del Toro is a screenwriter for The Hobbit movies. So he definitely has experience adapting books to movies.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:26 am
yes…agreed. We need someone who can handle the effects needed for the shapeshifting and the Italy scene. Twilight was a little choppy…maybe someone else can make it flow a little more. Anyone heard anything about Taylor Lautner? I heard there was an issue about how Jacob transforms in NEW MOON (i.e. getting taller/bigger) and worries about him filling the part?
December 8th, 2008 at 9:27 am
I found the movie painful – this pretty good (not great) book could have been adapted into a wicked film, but it ended up flat – pleny of eye candy, but I found myself getting bored. Also, the leaping and piggy-backing was just embarrasing. That could have been done much more effectively, and hopefully a new director will bring a great new persepctive. I remember how much better Harry Potter 3 (Azkhaban) was thean #2 – the change in director made a huge difference.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Thank the baby Jesus!
That film was horrible. Any change will be a good one, for sure.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Bevin ….I haven’t heard anything other then a few unsubstantiated rumors that they’d recast. I do recall reading an interview where Summit hinted at a new director and new casting. Taylor’s been quoted as being really excited for it and working hard on bulking up and putting on the neccessary muscle. In terms of height, they could get a few inches out of lifts but thats about it.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Can they get rid of the screenwriter, too?
The dialogue sucked.
Could have just used the dialogue from the book verbatim….
December 8th, 2008 at 9:52 am
I don’t think it was the directing that was the problem, i think it was the script. Some of the key lines were either butchered or cut out and I think Catherine was a good director in the sense that she really paid attention to the fans and also had as much passion for the book as we did. She also is what they consider “an actor’s director” because she’s very hands-on with them on set….or so I hear from Kristen Stewart. I’ll miss her. She did a great job as far as I’m concerned.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Well I wasn’t completely happy with the movie but I don’t know if the directing was terrible or if it was the adaptation. I thought the last half of the movie was great but the first part was awful. If the directing was to blame than I’m not sad to see her go.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:58 am
I don’t think the movie was that bad. It was a blockbuster movie made on a small budget. That combination is very hard to work out. The special effects were terrible, and the directing definitely could have been improved. I don’t know if she should have been let go, but I do understand why.
What needed to be improved was the script, it seemed so cheesy and forced, and it was not because of the acting.
In the end I really think what brought the movie down was the script. They should have used the dialogue from the books.
And the bullshit for a woman director! Get the best PERSON for the job, man or woman!!!!!!
December 8th, 2008 at 10:01 am
I’m glad she is being replaced. Twilight was a good movie, but not what it should have been.
December 8th, 2008 at 10:02 am
whew, i’m actually glad to hear this. the direction was NOT GOOD in twilight. i hope new moon has bigger and better things coming up. and as a female and a filmmaker myself, saying the film was bad definitely has nothing to do with catherine hardwicke being a woman; she just didn’t do a good job. i know an adaptation has to cut up the original text, but the story of the movie just didn’t set up the saga properly!
December 8th, 2008 at 10:28 am
It was a good decision. Catherine Hardwicke’s directing style is way to indie for the Twilight series. As for the screenwriter, maybe now that Hardwicke is out of the picture, she can write an even better script. I mean, Melissa Rosenberg is an executive producer/writer on Dexter and produced/wrote for the O.C. The problem with Twilight (the film) was not in the script, it was in the hokey direction.
December 8th, 2008 at 10:40 am
I thought the direction of the film was beautiful… does anyone in the comments agree? Catherine made great use of the small budget and, I think succeeded beyond expectations. I truly feel that Catherine was wanting to take her time so she could plan out what to do with a bigger budget while staying true to Stephenie Meyer’s text (while still elevating it to a higher level, which is needed for the screen). I also think its unfair for the studio to do this to the cast – the majority are very close friends with her as well. This must put them in a difficult situation as, in several interviews, the cast shared how much they loved Catherine. I just hope they don’t replace any of the cast – especially Charlie and the Cullens – or I will lose faith in this burgeoning franchise.
December 8th, 2008 at 10:49 am
I had a hard time figuring out if the actors did a poor job or if it was the directing, so here’s hoping we’ll find out in new moon!
December 8th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I loved the books but was disappointed with the movie (though I have gone to see it three times). I went back to see it again because I LOVE the books and the more money I spend going to see it, the better the next movie will be. (Or at least we hope so).
I think the directing and the adaptation are what ruined the movie for me. There are so many scenes that were butchered, so many things that needed to be included but weren’t. I’m curious to see what the new moon will be like. In any case, I really hope they agree on a bigger budget.
Male director, female director.. doesn’t really matter, as long as they get the job done properly.
December 8th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I think she did a horrible job on Twilight. Hopefully the new director for the rest o the books does a better job, and also, maybe Stephanie can finish Midnight Sun and have in the theaters to make-up for the disappointment in Twilight.
December 8th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I wasn’t personally happy with Twilight so I think that someone new should be brought in to make New Moon better then Twilight. [However with only a lil bit of Edward in New Moon it's not gonna be that good lol]
December 8th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I agree with this decision. The tone of the movie was just bad, maybe this will fix it
December 8th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Very happy with this decision. I don’t think it matters that she was a woman or not. Twilight deserves better. Here’s hoping that happens with the next director!! :)
December 8th, 2008 at 11:21 am
i dont think she was responsible for the movie’s big success..it made that much money because it was much anticipated not because it was good…at all.
December 8th, 2008 at 11:27 am
I’m thrilled, and will actually go see New Moon now. I think a lot of the older Twilight fans, at least my friends, were very disappointed in a movie that seemed to lose all of the book’s charms in translation. I didn’t want to see Edward in crappy bordello wear drinking Bella’s blood in a weird fantasy flashback- I wanted to see him sparkle- and not that crap sparkle we got served in the movie. I wanted to hear Esme’s story, Alice’s connections, etc. Hardwicke did a great job casting, but her directing was crap. I say, Go Summit- get someone who will respect Meyer’s storyline and the characters she so lovingly created (And btw, Stephanie didn’t seem very pleased with C.Hard’s work in a couple of comments).
Completely off topic- did they ever find out who leaked Midnight Dawn?
December 8th, 2008 at 11:36 am
They disagreed on the movie budget. For Twilight, the studio cut the budget at the start and Harwicke had to cut 5 days of filming and skip some CGI stuff (which is so obvious if you see the weak ’sparkle’ effect on Eward in the sun).
For New Moon, she expected the studio to increase the budget so she could do the movie right- including shots of Italy or at least really good CGI to make it seem like Italy. The studio didn’t want to increase the budget. I read an article where they said they believed New Moon could be done for approx. the same low budget as Twilight.
December 8th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I’m reading the comments now and I must say, I don’t think the screenwriter was the problem or the director, I blame the studio for not spending the $$ to make a great movie. Twilight was OK, but if I wasn’t a fan of the books, I don’t think I would have liked it much. The movie studio is a really small one. They don’t have huge budgets like other companies in Hollywood. They didn’t know Twilight would be a huge hit so they were tight with the money during filming. That’s forgivable for the first movie, but now they know the franchise will be huge, they should open up the wallet and spend some more to get a really great movie with awesome sparkly CGI that the fans deserve!
December 8th, 2008 at 11:59 am
PEACE OUT TO HER. I don’t even give a damn. I love Twilight but that movie just kiiiiilllleeeed me.
December 8th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
OMG im soo happy to hear they fired her, Yes! Im so glad, I hope they get someone with a lot of experience, because I think she screwed Twilight bad, This is amazing!! I was so disappointed to find out her and the same screen writer were going to do twilight, but now im glad they got rid of her, lets bring in a big time director!! please!!! someone who does more than just indie films!!!! someone with a good sense of quality and pace!!! yes! this totally makes my day. Now if only they’d get a new screen writer….
I do feel bad that she will be pummeled with questions about it, as noone deserves it, please do not take my hapiness as dislike towards her, i just do not think she did well with twilight, but her movie thirteen was great i saw it many years ago, it was really good, but twilight, was down right horrible, and im obsessed with twilight and it really made me mad to see how her and the screen writer destryoed it.
December 8th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Totally agree. The screenwriter definately needs to go as well.
December 8th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
ITA with everyone that said she needed replacing. I was way disappointed with how the movie turned out. I know it’s hard to get the movie to mimick the book but eventhough it was true to the story, it STILL missed the WOW factor. Bring on a good New Moon!
December 8th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Does she remind anyone else of Dot from MadTv? That’s all I think of when I see her. Looks, voice and personality. LOL.
December 8th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
definitely! she ruined the story with her horrible directing. There were so many scenes I was looking forward to, only to be disappointed. Who cares if the next director is male or female, as long as he/she is skilled and does the book justice.
December 8th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Also wanted to add that they should recast Rosalie. She was only hired b/c she was Catherine’s stepdaughter. The role should have been cast because of talent, not who you know. She did a horrible job of Rosalie and was not even a tenth as beautiful as she should have been.
December 8th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
I am a huge fan of the Twilight Book Series but I was utterly disappointed in this movie. If you didn’t read the book I don’t think you would be able to follow this movie…or even feel the intense story line that those who read the book felt. I think there was bad acting, bad screen play, bad special effects and bad directing. I have seen many of these actors in other movies where they did a great job so I don’t think it was that they couldn’t act…I just thing they didn’t have a good script to work with and the director didn’t do a good job. So I am not sorry to see Catherine let go. BUT with that said…I hope that Summit Entertainment stops being cheap and throws more money at this next movie. They made a lot of money on this frist movie because of anticipation…but if they made a second sucky movie they are not going to make as much the second time around. Fans are being forgiving for this first one, but I don’t think they will be as forgiving a second time around. And I don’t care if it is a female director or a male director…as long as whoever directs this film does a good job.
December 8th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
oh, i agree with lizindc : )
the movie didnt put out any of the fuzzy warm feelings i got from the book. the script made me flinch becuase it was so uncomfortable and there was no feeling : (. i wanted the movie to make me swoonnn ♥
December 8th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
the movie was horrible! a new director is a postive thing … now if they woud get a new screenwriter the sequels can actually be good
December 8th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I know the number one problem with Twilight was a lack of money and the reports I have read is that Summit wants to make New Moon for the same amount of money the spent on Twilight a whole 30 mil. This is a terrible terrible thing. I was a bit perplexed throughout the film and was left wanting more. I think that a new director will be fine if not possibly a vast improvement. The one thing they can not change is Robert Pattinson he of course made the movie for me. Even more then his beautiful face was his great portrayal of Edward. I thought he did a wonderful job with what he had to work with. Crossing my fingers for Alfonso Cuaron :)
December 8th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
This is excellent news, yes the film was low budget but that’s not the main reason it was lacking. The directing was horrendous…did anyone else realize that the never explained why edward was missing from school? or why there was no explanation as to why his eyes change colour?…the only people that would understand this is the upset people who read the book. This kind of stuff the director should think about when making a film, she forgot to add some major points in the film that make sense. I agree with some of the others on here too, the editing was really choppy, it felt like you were watching a montage of clips rather than a highly anticipated film. Overall, this is a great move by Summit!
December 8th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I’m glad she’s gone but I’m worried canning her won’t solve all the problems the movie had…fingers crossed New Moon kicks ass. I’ll see it either way though – the studio executives know that and that could be the sequal’s downfall.
December 8th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
i know little about the movie making magic and who does what but i know that catherine’s previous films have been indys and low budget (good movies don’t get me wrong i am a huge fan of thirteen) with not alot of special effects and new moon is going to have to show jacob and jared phasing in to werewolves and show all 5 werewolves going after laurent…. sooooo, i think they may want a director with experience in movies with lots more special effects. twilight had some and i thought they were good… i am the minority on that.
i am not that upset about her getting replaced… look what the new directors did for the hp franchise.
December 8th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
To all those little kiddies out there crying in their sorrow and making really pathetic little online petition’s. Get a life. If you had a real idea you would see that this was the best move. So what if Nikki and Kristen are going to be big bitches on set because their weirdo director got the axe, they seriously need to get over themselves. And really who gives a F— if the director is MALE or FEMALE!!!
December 8th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I think there was so much foundation and potential for the movie to be great, and I was very disappointed. I think this is a great move.
December 8th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Did you guys seriously think the movie was going to be exactly like the book?!?! The book was amazing and yes they did change a lot, but you cannot get all of that into an already two hour long movie! Sasha does make some very good points, and I agree that it could’ve been better. I am a Twilight fanatic and I still loved the movie…that’s just my opinion :)
December 8th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I think this will be for the best, the movie did nothing for me…. except drool over edward cullen. I agree that the movie only made so much money because of the story of twilight… not because of who the director is.
December 8th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
I love the books! They were amazing and different, more so than almost anything else out there right now. The movie should have been the same but because of poor directing it wasn’t as amazing as it could have been. I could even live with the effects and script the way they were, but come on that sence when Edward first smells Bella! Crap!!!I just hope that the person (man or woman) that will be doing the next film can keep their own ideas to a minimum and simple make the movie something that resembles the story of New Moon. I’ve given up on ever seeing a movie that does a book justice but I believe they can make an amazing movie with the right person behind the camera.
December 8th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Wow, I agree with so much on here. I enjoyed all 4 books (although the first part of the 4th was a little bit weird for me) but overall it was a good reading experience and I was really excited for the movie. But after seeing it, I was extremely disappointed. Even my husband (who also liked the series) said that it was the worst book adaptation to film ever (I disagree, I think Timeline by Micheal Crichton was the worst….closely tied with Eragon, unfortunately.) At any rate, almost everything in the film felt awkward, the landscape was lovely but the acting was not great. So much stuff went unexplained and I think that if I hadn’t read the books I would be so confused and unsatisfied because my brain wouldn’t have been able to fill in the missing parts with info from the book. Of course it’s not going to be exact, but we know from other movies that have been adapted from books that if you really take the time and make the effort to make it good it will be. And it wasn’t. So I hope they do a better job next time!!! Also, I agree…man, woman, doesn’t matter, just do a good job directing!
December 8th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
wow i didn’t suspect so many people would have complained about how the movie was, but like the rest of you … i thought it severely lacking. it felt too forced to be the book (if that makes any sense).
but shoot, harry potter has different directors and it’s number one opening night.
December 8th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
You know who they should really get rid of?
The screenwriter. She needs to go.
December 8th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I didnt know WHY i hated this movie until i realized this woman directed it. Ive seen almost all of her major movies and despise them ALL!!!
GOOD BYE LADY!
maybe the next one wont feel like im watching a horror original that would’ve premiered on “The N”
December 8th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
this is great. they should really just….not make the movies. period.
the movie was a horrible misrepresentation of the book….i dont understand how anyone who hadnt read it could understand what the hell was going on.
these past few months, i feel like ive been watching edward cullen get raped repeatedly.
no need to ruin such an amazing story three more times…
but im sure they will.
December 8th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I’m completely on the fence when it comes to this announcement. On the one hand I think she did a fairly decent job with what she had to work with. I definitely think the special effects needed a lot of work, I think that there should have been more dialogue from the text (i.e. “do I dazzle you”) and I was highly disappointed with the big “fight” scene. I will say I did like her casting decisions. The Cullen family was basically how I pictured them in my head and my favorite parts of the movie were the scenes with Kristen and Rob because their chemistry just burst out of the freaking screen (I’ve seen the movie more than once and I still think that). That being said I think the best scenes in the movie were the scenes with just Kristen and Rob. I definitely don’t like the beginning I think it’s too choppy and just not done well. Hopefully whomever they hire to replace her will keep the charm of the books and make New Moon flow a little better… ohh and figure out how to not make us watch Jacob fawn over a broken-hearted Bella for more than half the movie… I think most people would agree that 300 pages was enough the first time around!
December 9th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Well supposidly the screen writer has found a “device” to include more of Edward in the movie which make sme apprehensive. If they show him offf brooding over bella I’m going to be annoyed because the whole point is that she legitimately thinks he is gone and even though we know he comes back, it still ruins that “zombie” period if you were to throw in random moments of what he is up to. I’m guessing/hopping they’ll just be showing sort of flash backs or her imagining him or something. I think that would work well if they have her “see” him in the crowd at school or when she is out with Charlie or something since she is supposed to almost feel like she is going insane with the heraing him as well (at least we’ll get to hear Rob’s voice throughouth haha). Overall I’m nervous though b/c I didn’t like how Melissa adapted Twilight and in general New Moon is a bit iffy with the whole Bella being insane thing. The good news is even Rob has said he wouldn’t agree with having Edward in the middle of the film because he should just show up beginning and end and remain this unseen force throughout.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:47 am
i thought the twilight movie was bad. the only reason why i didn’t hate it was because i liked the books. although casting and cinematography were ok, everything else was crappy. so yes, harwicke SHOULD be replaced. i understand thirteen was good but maybe commercial blockbusters are not for her. i hope the new director they get improves the quality of the twilight movie franchise.
December 10th, 2008 at 12:08 am
I think Hardwicke should keep on making the twilight series.
I thought the film was great and if someone else is going to make new moon it should be Hardwicke.
HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, HARDWICKE BACK, AND SO ON…
December 10th, 2008 at 6:06 am
I am obsessed with the book and loved the movie. And I agree they might have tried too hard to be the book, but I won’t say that Hardwicke ruined it, I mean, it WAS low budget. But I think that if New Moon doesn’t promise something more and better, there’s no way it can make $70 mil opening night. No way at all. So many people who went to see the highly anticipated Twilight movie won’t bother to go see New Moon. I don’t think sex has anything to do with this… why would it? She did an amazing job, but not good enough for the sequels. I think if New Moon isn’t as good, they should deffinatly call back Catherine.
Britni~
December 10th, 2008 at 8:29 am
I’m glad she’s gone but I’m scared the next director will do worse. The script was all wrong and the music doesn’t fit. Robert’s acting was the only thing I’m fine with (although, he’s definitely NO Edward). Kristen was too stiff….
Most people I know who actually liked it didn’t read the books. I’m surprised they understood anything since so many things are left out. I mean what’s the point of bringing up the eye-colour subject when it’s left unexplained?
I don’t know why Catherine was chosen in the first place anyways. This saga is no indie. It’s not a gender issue. It’s a problem stemming from Summit. Why low budget?
I’d rather have no movie at all and just Midnight Sun…
December 10th, 2008 at 9:34 am
This is a tough one…I think she did a good job in adapting this beloved book to the big screen, and with a very small budget…who is to say she couldn’t have made New Moon amazing with a larger budget and keep the same tone and mood that we all loved about the movie? But at the same time – if Harry Potter could change directors and be successful…maybe this series can too – and take it too even an even higher level. I’m worried – but optimistic now that they are saying it could be Chris Weitz – however will a man be able to pull it off???
December 10th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
# Ashley Says:
December 8th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Also wanted to add that they should recast Rosalie. She was only hired b/c she was Catherine’s stepdaughter. The role should have been cast because of talent, not who you know. She did a horrible job of Rosalie and was not even a tenth as beautiful as she should have been.
COMPLETELY agree with you. bad acting, and SO does not fit the physical description of Rosalie.
thank goodness Catherine is gone. can’t believe she managed to butcher such a good story with so much potential.
and pple should stop turning this into a political thing, it’s not even a gender issue. even if catherine were a guy, this movie would’ve still sucked.
whoever can do the books some justice, just do it.