The Hunt for Breaking Dawn Directors

According to Entertainemnt Weekly Summit is currently scouting for someone to direct Break Dawn.

“Sources tell EW that the studio has reached out to at least three top-notch directors, including Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation), Gus Van Sant (Milk), and Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) to gauge their interest in what is likely to be two movies. (Van Sant’s reps confirmed that he’s been approached, but Coppola and Condon’s people didn’t return phone calls by press time. Summit declined to comment.)”

See more at EW.

Anna Kendrick on Breaking Dawn

Anna Kendrick was interviewed yesterday at the red carpet of the Oscars by MTV where she shared her thoughts about filming Breaking Dawn in 3D.

jediyoda

No deals yet for Breaking Dawn

Two days ago, we have posted news that Breaking Dawn will be split into two films. According to Nikki Finke, studio bosses have reached that decision and that filming would begin in mid-October. This was later overturned by Summit, saying that no decision was made yet although the movie will be made.

In a new report by The Hollywood Reporter, no deals were made with the actors either. The three principal leads, Rob, Kristen and Taylor, were all signed for three movies only and will be negotiating for Breaking Dawn.

But if the studio is planning to move forward with that plan, its lawyers should get busy locking in that cast first.

We’ve learned that no talent deals are in place with the principal actors to return for a fifth movie. And they’re not even close, we’re told. That means neither Kristen Stewart nor Robert Pattinson nor Taylor Lautner has yet signed on to a (possibly 3D?) supersized “Breaking Dawn.”

That doesn’t mean it won’t happen, of course. After lengthy negotiations once “Twilight” became an international sensation, the stars are currently locked for the third movie (already finished and set for release in June) and a fourth to be filmed in the fall. But if Summit wants to extend the production schedule on “Breaking Dawn” and split it in two that will require a new deal for each of the actors. (The studio wouldn’t dare claim the bifurcated “Breaking Dawn” is just one long movie that happens to be released as two. The final “Harry Potter” book is being divided into two movies, and we’re told the talent deals were revised to pay the actors separately for both films.)

jediyoda

Breaking Dawn will be made into two movies (Updated)

According to Nikki Finke, its already been decided that Breaking Dawn will be made into two movies.

The producers have already made a decision and the movies will be filmed back-to-back. They are looking to start filming by mid -October of this year and are looking at “high-end” directors to helm the project.

I have this from several sources, and it’s definitive. Filming on the back-to-back movies would begin in mid-October, and Summit Entertainment is looking at “high-end” directors. Breaking Dawn is the longest in Stephenie Meyer’s 4-book series lengthwise and it’s the most graphic – presenting birth, attempted murder, death, and of course vampire bites.

Breaking Dawn is the longest of all the Twilight books and will be the most graphic yet.

jediyoda

Update:According to MTV, news of the split is not yet final. In short statement released by Summit, they have reiterated that bringing the book to life is still the priority.

“No decision has been made,” a representative for Summit Entertainment told MTV News after the Deadline Hollywood story ran. “As we have said all along, we are continuing to work with Stephenie Meyer to bring ‘Breaking Dawn’ to the big screen.”

jediyoda

Breaking Dawn may go into production this fall (Updated)

In a new interview with The LA Times, Twilight producer Wyck Godfrey has confirmed that they are set to go with the production of the last Twilight book, Breaking Dawn. However, they are still wondering how they would adapt the book and how they would handle the character of Renesmee, the child vampire of Edward and Bella.

“It’s a work in process,” Godfrey said in an interview Friday. “The issue [of whether there will be one or two movies] is not going to be resolved until we get the full treatment and see whether it’s organic. If it’s not organic, I don’t think it will be done, and if it is, it will be. It really has to do with how much level of detail from the books there is, with all of these new vampires that appear in ‘Breaking Dawn,’ the whole section about Jacob… It’s a very long single movie if it does become a single movie.”

“I keep having visions of ‘[The Curious Case of] Benjamin Button’ in my head,” Godfrey said, referring to David Fincher’s Oscar-nominated 2008 fantasy about a man who becomes physically younger as he ages. “It’s certainly going to be visual effects in some capacity along with an actor. I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up being a full CG creation, but it also may be a human shot on a soundstage that then is used to shrink down. I don’t know. We need a director. When we get a director, that director will need to come with a point of view of how they want to tackle it.”

Godfrey also confirmed that its three lead stars are signed for the movie and if everything goes right, the production will start this fall.  He also spoke about the possible return of New Moon director Chris Weitz for the fourth movie but hasnt downplayed the chances of a new director for the franchise.

“I think everyone would be happy and excited if he came back, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

but right now,” Godfrey said, “we’re just focused on the treatment and getting that right. At that point, we’re going to see who’s available and who’s appropriate. It’s such a complicated book because you have the emotions and the intensity of the love story — so you need somebody who’s just a wonderful director of actors — and yet it’s really complicated from an action and visual effects standpoint. They’ve got to have both tools in their kit.”

jediyoda

Update: There were also rumors that Twilight author Stephenie Meyer was putting her foot down regarding the splitting of the book into two movies. Stephenie updated her site, mentioning that whether Breaking Dawn will be split into two movies or not, she would be happy either way.

Just a quick note on the subject of the Breaking Dawn film: there is no drama over whether the book should be one movie or two. My personal feeling is that it would be very difficult to cram the whole story into one movie (as I’ve said in many interviews previous to this), but if a great way of doing that surfaces, I’m all for it. Two or one, whichever way fits the story best is fine by me, and everyone I’ve spoken with at Summit seems to feel the same way. We’re all excited to move forward on this, and we are slowly and surely getting there. I know people are anxious for news, and so sometimes gossip gets fabricated to stir things up, but there’s no basis to this particular story.

jediyoda

Peter Facinelli on Breaking Dawn

During the Z100 Jingle Ball in New York, MTV caught up with Peter Facinelli where he dished about Breaking Dawn and how he would like to see director Chris Weitz come back to the franchise.

jediyoda

Breaking Dawn: Who should direct it?

In the advent of Breaking Dawn’s inevitable release, Moviefone asks, “Who Should Direct it?” They have listed 5 possible directors who could tackle the enormous last book of the Twilight Saga.

Tim Burton: Burton has a known fondness for Gothic love tales (see: ‘Corpse Bride,’ ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Sweeney Todd’), and his imagination expands far beyond most minds. Even ‘Twilight’ cast members Jamie Campbell Bower and Ashley Greene are crossing their fingers in the hopes that he’ll sign onto the project. Maybe they’re hoping he’ll bring along his male muse, Johnny Depp.

Catherine Hardwicke: She brought the first movie to life and set the stage for other directors, so it might seem fitting and nice that she tie it all together in the end and reunite with the original cast as the curtain closes. However, her lack of experience in special effects — and the general sense that the first ‘Twilight’ film didn’t meet expectations — makes her a long shot.

Peter Jackson: Best known for bringing ‘The Lord of the Rings’ novels to life on the big screen, he is a master behind the lens. His ability to turn a simple conversation between characters into a highly detailed scene could take ‘Breaking Dawn’ to the next level. Jackson’s background in the fantasy genre would be a perfect fit for the Bella transformation plot of the final novel. Just imagine the power of ‘Twilight’ and ‘LOTR’ fans united.

Quentin Tarantino: His signature style mixes gore with humor, captivating the minds of audiences all over the world. His quirky take and sarcastic edge would be a great asset in bringing out Jacob’s snarky behavior in the final book. Tarantino is one of the more off-the-wall directors, but perhaps that’s what ‘Breaking Dawn’ needs. It might not hurt to have his input on the screenwriting process as well. But could he put out a PG-rated film? Umm … we’ll get back to you on that one.

Len Wiseman: He’s certainly no stranger to the vampire vs. werewolf story line (the ‘Underworld’ films), and his affinity for the comic-book world could come in handy. He may have to tone down his darker side for the ‘Twilight Saga’ tween audience, but he’s directed ‘New Moon’ star Michael Sheen before (and lived through his own romantic triangle, with Sheen and now wife Kate Beckinsale — guess that makes him Team Edward).

jediyoda

Wyck Godfrey on the Breaking Dawn timeline

With the buzz surrounding whether Breaking Dawn will be greenlit, Twilight producer Wyck Godfrey talked about the possibility of making it and if negotiations pushed through he said that filming will take place next year.

jediyoda

Reelz Channel interviews Ashley Greene

Reelz Channel interviews Ashley Greene and also recaps all the Breaking Dawn News.

jediyoda

What the cast want for Breaking Dawn

In an interview with MTV, the Twilight cast talk about what they want for Breaking Dawn – which is still unconfirmed for production by Summit Entertainment. From their favorite directors for the job to the scenes they want to shoot, they share the things they want to happen in Breaking Dawn.

jediyoda