November 24, 2008

'Twilight' Sequel Confirmed: 'New Moon' To Hit The Big Screen

By Larry Carroll (MTV.com)

It's been talked about, it has a screenwriter, and now it's official: Stephenie Meyer's New Moon will be coming to a theater near you. Summit Entertainment made the official announcement on Saturday (November 22), during a brief respite from counting the massive box-office receipts that Meyer's first film, Twilight, is taking in this weekend.

"I don't think any other author has had a more positive experience with the makers of her movie adaptation than I have had with Summit Entertainment," the best-selling author said in a statement. "I'm thrilled to have the chance to work with them again on New Moon."

The news comes on the heels of the vampire flick selling out theaters nationwide, despite its mixed reviews. The madness began with some impressive advance ticket sales, then the film added to its $7 million midnight-screening take with a staggering $35.7 million on Friday, taking in money at a rate reported to be more than three times that of last week's box-office winner, Quantum of Solace. To put it in perspective, Twilight is now second only to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in terms of biggest opening-day gross for a non-summer release.

Twilight is currently on track to become the highest-grossing film ever made by a female director, the highest-grossing vampire film of all time, and is also threatening several other records heading into Saturday. The film is currently projected to make more than $60 million this weekend, which would put it on track for the $150 million box-office haul that director Catherine Hardwicke has said would automatically green-light sequels.

Hence, the announcement of Robert Pattinson's favorite book being turned into a movie - news that will surely send Taylor Lautner to the gym immediately.