Third Twilight Director Named: Eclipse

The Third Twilight Film in the Saga: Eclipse now has a director. Hard Candy director David Slade has signed up to make the third film in the Twilight series of Vampire movies, due out next summer. American Pie director Chris Weitz recently began filming New Moon - the sequel to Twilight - in Vancouver.

Eclipse is currently scheduled to hit theaters on June 30, 2010, right smack in the middle of summer blockbuster alley. Will this film rule the summer of 2010 and outshine Iron Man 2? Shocking, perhaps, but these look to be the top contenders.

What do you think of Slade directing Eclipse? Good choice? Bad one? Check out the press release below.

Summit Entertainment announced today that David Slade has been hired to direct THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE from a screenplay written by Melissa Rosenberg. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, the third film in the studio's TWILIGHT film franchise based on the Stephenie Meyer's blockbuster book series, will be released theatrically in North America on Wednesday, June 30, 2010. The announcement was made by Erik Feig, Summit's President of Production.

Meyer stated, "I am thrilled that David Slade will be directing ECLIPSE. He's a visionary filmmaker who has so much to offer this franchise. From the beginning, we've been blessed with wonderful directorial talent for the Twilight Saga, and I'm so happy that ECLIPSE will be carrying on with that tradition."

Feig said, "Stephenie Meyer's ECLIPSE is a muscular, rich, vivid book and we at Summit looked long and hard for a director who could do it justice. We believe we have found that talent in David Slade, a director who has been able to create complex, visually arresting worlds. We cannot wait to see the ECLIPSE he brings to life and brings to the fans eagerly awaiting its arrival in summer of 2010."

Filmmaker Slade came to prominence as a director for his work on 2006's engrossing film HARD CANDY starring Academy Award® Nominated actress Ellen Page as well as directing 2007's genre hit 30 DAYS OF NIGHT which opened to number one at the box office its first weekend of release.

In ECLIPSE, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob - knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.

Source: Cinematical.com

New Moon Cast Update: Aro Has Been Cast

Aro has been cast for New Moon. Michael Sheen has been added to the cast of the Twilight sequel New Moon. He'll play Aro, the leader of the Volturi, director Chris Weitz confirms to The Daily Mail. The actor was "aggressively" pursued, Weitz added. "Michael's role is so important because he's the head of all vampires. Aro is, on the surface, a very gracious and friendly vampire, but beneath that he is a tremendous threat." Sheen should be at home in the fantasy realm: He played the Lycan (or werewolf) Lucian in the Underworld films.

'Twilight': Taylor Lautner may get to keep Jacob role for New Moon

After a monster of a casting dilemma, it appears likely that the actor will howl in 'Twilight' sequel ''New Moon''

"Decision on whether he'll get to keep the Jacob role in Twilight sequel New Moon is expected this week"-Chris Polk/FilmMagic

According to sources around Hollywood, things may start looking very hairy for Taylor Lautner. The actor — not to mention legions of Twilight fans — has been desperate to learn whether Summit Entertainment will cast him once more as Jacob Black in the Twilight sequel New Moon.
This week, Summit is expected to announce its decision for the next film based on Stephenie Meyer's wildly successful series of vampire romance novels. Kristen Stewart, 18, is set to return as Bella Swan, the beautiful human who falls for a softhearted bloodsucker. And Robert Pattinson, 22, has a lock on his job too; his turn as Edward Cullen, the hunky, soulful vampire, has made him an overnight superstar with young female moviegoers around the planet. But Lautner, 16, has a more uncertain future.

That's because the character he was so perfectly cast to play in the first Twilight film — a slim, baby-faced teenager — will be greatly expanded in the sequel. And by greatly expanded, we mean into a hulking, snarling, seven-foot Lycan. ''Jacob is a totally different character in New Moon,'' says Melissa Rosenberg, screenwriter of both Twilight films. ''He's a foot taller and huge — and he's supposed to look 25. It's really a question of whether or not the same actor can play the role.'' Rosenberg is quick to add, however, that ''everyone would love to keep him. We all think he's the loveliest person ever.''

Lautner's certainly been doing everything in his mortal power to hang on to the part. Since Twilight, he's gained 19 pounds and is promising to pack on 10 more before shooting starts on New Moon this March. And judging from a widely reprinted red-carpet interview, he's not shy about letting Summit and New Moon's director, Chris Weitz (who joined the fran­chise last month after Twilight's director, Catherine Hardwicke, left over creative differences), know that he has the chops for the gig. ''My job for Twilight was to bring Twilight Jacob to life — the friendly, happy-go-lucky little Jacob,'' he told MTV News. ''My job for New Moon is completely different. I've been looking forward to that. I've been getting ready for it, and I can assure them I will follow through with that.''

Source: Entertainment Weekly Twilight Central