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Variety posted this article today and I find it to be a pretty good analysis of what is going on...
Summit's 'Twilight' dilemma
Splitting last novel into two films means expensive talks
By MICHAEL FLEMING
The two-week $481 million worldwide gross of "New Moon" has vaulted Summit Entertainment into the big leagues, but it also has created a high-class challenge for toppers Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger.
They will likely have to cut a few big checks if they decided, as rumored, to split Stephenie Meyer's final "Twilight" novel, "Breaking Dawn," into two pictures. Sources said Summit has set Melissa Rosenberg -- who wrote the first three films -- to finish the series, but Summit has to clear several hurdles before Rosenberg learns how many more scripts she'll write.
One of those hurdles is figuring out whether "New Moon" director Chris Weitz will respond favorably to overtures from the film company and the cast to shoot two more films, back to back.
Summit execs would not comment, but multiple sources said the company wants to go the two-film route, which means reopening negotiations and securing approval from the author. It also means making new deals with a principal cast that is only locked up for four films. If "Breaking Dawn" becomes two pictures, all of the key cast members will get fat raises, and the three principals -- Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner -- could land paydays in the eight-figure range.
That's what happened with key cast members when Warner Bros. extended its blockbuster "Harry Potter" franchise by turning J.K. Rowling's last book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," into two films that will be released in November 2010 and July 2011. The global success of the franchise made the paydays worthwhile.
While the solution to most of Summit's challenges will be determined by its willingness to open its wallet, the prospect of a Weitz return is more complicated.
After feeling violated by New Line's altering of his pic "The Golden Compass," Weitz said he felt redeemed and reinvigorated by the success of "New Moon." Yet, just before the film's release, Weitz was steadfast that he would next direct "The Gardener," a comparatively tiny film scripted by Eric Eason, with Paul Witt and Christian McLaughlin producing. At the time, he said Summit was in discussions to fund that film.
Summit hasn't closed a deal for "The Gardener," probably because the film company wants Weitz to postpone it and work on "Breaking Dawn" instead. Can Weitz resist the chance to finish a global franchise he helped build, even though it will mean more time away from his family for a long shoot? That's the question the helmer and his reps will weigh shortly. Though Summit hasn't officially made Weitz an offer, sources said the job is his if he wants it. After bringing in "New Moon" at around $50 million and keeping the cast happy, he's the logical choice.
David Slade directed the next installment in the "Twilight" series, "Eclipse," which bows June 20.
Mandy's Mind -
I have heard chatter of Chris Weitz' return for Breaking Dawn and I would suspect that this article is fairly accurate in assessing the hurdles Summit is currently dealing with. Let's hope they announce Breaking Dawn in Vancouver in 2010 as 2 movies with Chris Weitz directing... in the meantime distractions are likely to bombard us... maybe some new Eclipse news? Anything to stop us from prying at the truth - it's so political isn't it? Just tell us about our freakin' movie!
Thoughts?
[Source]
4 comments:
i hate not knowing!! how long is Summit going to torture us here? lol
Eclipse is June 20? or June 30?
I think this is fairly accurate as well, and telling of the challenges to bring this franchise to its final bow. With how well New Moon has done at the Box Ofc, I say give everyone a hefty pay raise and create a budget for each BD up to $80 mil. If the actors don't agree to a fourth film, they will have to settle for one and I would say cut out a lot of the Jacob storyline. The beginning and end are where the strength of the story lies; Bella and Edward pursuing their happily ever after. When it comes down to it, a lot of descriptive narrative can be translated visually be the director. As for the director, I think Chris could do a great job with BD, he simply has to agree. If there's issue with family, it can be challenging to uproot family for a long period of time, but I say bring them to location; especially if it would make more sense to shoot both films at the same time or back to back (that would resolve any scheduling confilcts, actor aging issues, and continuity of the final installment). I vote for Chris without seeing Eclipse for several reasons, but primarily because I feel he has such a strong sense of integrity, commitment to do his best and not what others expect his best should be, and he seems to have developed a powerfully creative and collaborative relationship with the cast. Also, Slade's 30 Days of Night just wasn't good. I didn't buy the vamps in that; they just looked like actors who made themselves up for a cheap Halloween party. He might bring gore to Eclipse, but BD is all about the love of E&B and keeping Renesmee alive. Finally, Chris Weitz's intentions as an artist are made quite clear by some of his comments in his recent EW interview, and that sells me. Now Stephenie M. needs to green-light BD as a one or two-film deal so pre-production can begin!
i think they will do 2 movies, and i think it will be in vancouver...
but i don't really care if chris weitz directs. i wasn't really that impressed with his work.
it was definitely far far better than cathrine's twilight... but let's face it, the bar was set pretty low.
i'd like to see eclipse and see what david slade does with the franchise before i throw my support behind one particular director.
and really, it wouldn't surprise me if they use a 4th, different director. that was always my assumption... harry potter style. every movie with a different director to keep the pay low for the director from summit. as a returning director could negotiate a bigger payday. a smaller director new to the franchise will just be happy to be on board.
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