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Howl at the Moon
The Twilight Saga: New Moon is the most highly anticipated movie of the year, and director Chris Weitz (The Golden Compass, American Pie) is ready for the challenge, almost.
Being handed the helm of the sequel to a movie that grossed US$360 million at the worldwide box office would make anyone a little worried. "Yes, I'm nervous!" admits director Chris Weitz, talking to FILMINK on the Vancouver set of The Twilight Saga: New Moon, the much anticipated sequel to last year's smash hit vampire flick, Twilight.
If any further pressure was needed, then sitting eagle-eyed behind the monitor is none other than author Stephenie Meyer, the woman responsible for the hugely popular collection of vampire teen romance novels that inspired the film series. In short, it's a bit like having J.K Rowling looking over your shoulder while shooting a Harry Potter film.
Upping the anxiety factor is the multitude of web blogs decrying the fact that Twilight's director, Catherine Hardwicke (who so effectively put her personal imprint on the first film), was not invited back for the sequel. "Catherine did a remarkable job on Twilight, but she was exhausted," says producer Wyck Godfrey. "She was still out on the road doing publicity on the film when it was decided to do a second one. We had to move very fast to ensure a release date for New Moon exactly a year after Twilight. That's not to say that Catherine Hardwicke might not do another film in the franchise," he teases.
Weitz has come to understand his position as being something akin to the Anti-Christ among hardcore Twilight fans, and has little conceit as to why he was chosen for the sequel. "Well, I was available, in the first instance," grins the producer/director/writer, who was Oscar nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for 2002's About A Boy, which he also directed. "I hadn't even read the books when I was first asked, but I caught up very quickly. I sequestered myself for hours on end, literally gobbling the books up."
Despite his credentials, most directors would be fearful about taking on the much loved franchise. "Of course I'm somewhat fearful, but I viewed it as a bonus that the movie was already extraordinarily well cast," Weitz says. "I didn't have to go to the trouble of finding all these amazing actors. It happened on very short notice, but I was more or less ready."
Ensuring that New Moon is entirely his own entity, Weitz has avoided any contact with his directorial predecessor. "I haven't been in touch with Catherine," he explains. "Not for any reasons of either her feeling badly towards me or vice versa. I have to create my own version of this. Obviously, I want some degree of continuity from the first movie because there's a huge fan base. At the same time, I'm not redoing what Catherine has done. I'm bringing my own take to the material."
New Moon opens with Kristen Stewart's Bella recovering from the vampire attack that almost claimed her life in Twilight. Initially heartbroken, she finds damaging comfort in reckless living, as well as an even closer friendship with Taylor Lautner's Jacob Black, who just happens to be a
werewolf. Whilst inheriting Twilight's Stewart, Lautner and Robert Pattinson, Weitz had a hand in casting Dakota Fanning as teenage bloodsucker Jane, and British actor Michael Sheen (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) as Aro, leader of the Italian Volturi vampire clan. After memorably immortalising real life figures Tony Blair and David Frost on the big screen, Weitz has no doubt that Sheen can sink his teeth into the character. "Michael's role is so important because he's the head of all vampires," the director explains.
"He's quite brilliant and conveys an extraordinary intelligence. Aro is, on the surface, a very gracious and friendly host, but beneath that is a tremendous threat which Michael can absolutely convey."
Even though Chris Weitz is confident about his sequel, he still has a few reservations. "In finality, I hope not to be torn to pieces by a hoard of teenage girls!," he laughs.
The Twilight Saga: New Moon will be released in cinemas on November 19.