Chris Weitz Reveals 5 Secrets About 'New Moon'

In honor of the disc's release on March 20, director Chris Weitz sat down with MTV News to reveal five things you probably didn't know about "New Moon." Here's what we learned.

Going for the Gold: In "Twilight," RPattz and the rest of his vegetarian vampire cohorts have gold-colored eyes as a result of abstaining from consuming human blood. For "New Moon," the vamps' eyes were clearly more golden. Why'd Weitz have his actors switch to brighter contact lenses?
"It's a more noticeable gold," Weitz said. "I thought that in the first film they hadn't popped quite enough and I wanted to have that sense of otherworldliness carry through more."


The Silent Vampire: Actress Rachelle Lefevre was notoriously replaced in her role as the vampire Victoria following "New Moon," with Bryce Dallas Howard taking over the part for "Eclipse." In "New Moon," Lefevre is seen but does not speak. Is there a connection between her lack of lines and what happened with the casting decision?


"It wasn't so much that," Weitz said. "There was a dialogue scene with her, and eventually that will show up whenever they release deleted scenes. It was one of those scenes that, when you look back at it, it's kind of a surplus to the whole storytelling requirement of the movie. So there was no ill intent there. I wrote Rachelle and explained why that scene didn't end up in the film, and in terms of filmmaking I can't regret it, although I do regret it very much if it hurt Rachelle's feelings."


Why So Torn Up, Edward?: At one point in the film, Pattinson's Edward Cullen appears in a ripped T-shirt, but we never learn why. So ... what the heck happened?

"What it's supposed to be is that he's essentially been wearing the same clothes for several months, and that eventually they've just worn out because, as you I'm sure know, his body is like stone. So he must've rubbed up against something and it ripped," Weitz said.

Our Lord?: In its Italian-set portions, "New Moon" features a significant amount of religious iconography, and Edward certainly suffers a great deal. Is he supposed to be a Christ figure?

"I think that he is in a sense he's doomed to suffer eternally," Weitz said. "He actually thinks of himself as a damned figure, but he's wrong about that. So in some senses, yeah, he is a martyr figure."

Black Eyes: In Stephenie Meyer's book, Edward's eyes go black in Italy. Why don't his eyes turn in the film?

"It's because I screwed up!" Weitz admitted. Really? He just forgot? "Well, yeah, I kinda did," he said. "Well, there are two reasons. One is that I messed up. The other reason is that I actually thought that onscreen it would be quite bizarre to see his eyes go completely black, and that it would be more satisfying and less jarring to have that moment of reunion be a reunion with revivified Edward. But probably, the long and the short of it, there are many details that I did not drop the ball on, and there are some that I did."

Interesting! I love learning things like that!

MTV via New Moon Movie

Chris Weitz Will NOT be Back For 'Breaking Dawn' {and I am sad}

According to the ever reliable Gossip Cop, my hope that the Weitzmeister would be back for 'Breaking Dawn' is not going to happen:

For months on end there has been speculation about “Breaking Dawn,” and who would direct the final chapter of the saga.

Gossip Cop has received official confirmation from Chris Weitz’s rep that he will not be directing the film(s).

Fans had hoped for some time Weitz, who directed “New Moon” (and “The Golden Compass” and “About A Boy” before that), would helm “Breaking Dawn,” but it’s a no go.

Weitz is next slated to direct a personal project about an undocumented Mexican laborer that he himself is partially funding. That film begins next month.

So loved was Weitz there was even a rumor – albeit false – that stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner had written a joint endorsement, urging Summit Entertainment to lock down the director for the final installment.

Ultimately, it was Weitz’s decision.

As Gossip Cop reported last month, though officially no decision has been made about whether to split “Breaking Dawn” into two films, a well-place source said dividing the final book into two movies is “the direction that it’s going in.”

We’re also told Summit is currently looking at top-tier directors to helm the final “Twilight” film(s).

Now I am sad spice... :(

Chris Weitz says 'Eclipse' Tent Scene Will Be "Steamy"

Team Jacob, hold on to your sleeping bags.

Chris Weitz, who directed New Moon, the second installment in the Twilight series, says he has read the script for this summer's third installment, Eclipse – and that one scene in particular is a scorcher.

"I'm looking forward to the sleeping bag scene, I gotta say," Weitz tells PEOPLE. "That's going to be very steamy."

In Eclipse's fan-favorite "tent scene," – spoiler alert! – a freezing Bella, who is on the run from evil vamp Victoria, gets a warm-up from werewolf Jacob when he squeezes into her sleeping bag – while a jealous Edward looks on. The movie will open June 30.

Weitz also says he is eager to see Edward's vampire "parents," played by Elizabeth Reaser and Peter Facinelli, sink their teeth into Eclipse's more intense action.

"I have a special interest in seeing Peter and Elizabeth tear people's heads off," he says with a laugh. "Knowing them, and how kind of kooky and delightful they are, I'm going to find seeing them being ultra-violent very interesting indeed."

Weitz, who is not helming Eclipse – director David Slade is taking over – says he is showing his Twilight pride on Oscar Sunday by voting for Anna Kendrick, who plays Bella's pal Jessica in the series. (She is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role opposite George Clooney in Up in the Air.)

"I voted for her of course, because she's my homie," says Weitz, adding that New Moon – which is being released on DVD and Blu-Ray March 20 – would have been up for more awards if the Academy had a different voting body.

"If only the Academy were composed of teenage girls, I might be looking at a Best Picture nom," he joked. "It's a scandal that there are not more teenage girls in the Academy."

LOL I heart Chris! He is so funny! *chants: Chris for Breaking Dawn*

Source: People

Chris Weitz Shares 5 Things You May Have Missed in 'New Moon'

I totally love this kind of stuff! And this is just one more reason to love C-Dub!! :)

via Twifans

'New Moon' Italy Pics: Chris Weitz Gives Fans A Look Inside His Personal Photo Album

From his own personal photo book, director Chris Weitz presents a very special inside look for fans into one of the key scenes from THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON. The images below were taken during Chris' first scouting trip to Italy, before Montepulciano was selected for the shoot. Enjoy!

Montepulciano Set

We will be using the town of Montepulciano to serve as Volterra. We scouted about ten Italian hilltowns, and Montepulciano offered the best combination of beauty, age, change in height (you can see rolling fields below from the alleys running up to the main square, etc.) and symmetry that satisfied my obsessive qualities. Why not finish off this roundup with a little Italian scenery:

This is the clock tower of the main square of Montepulciano. Directly underneath is where Edward intends to reveal himself to the crowd (I prefer that to an alley way – that would be too blah and ordinary). The cafe on the very right of the shot was THE hangout for Twi-fans who went to Montepulciano -- people would sit up there and order coffees for the whole day to get a close look at filming! This is what Bella sees as she finishes her run upwards and arrives at the square:

In other words, she sort of ascends through a series of alley ways and streets to the square itself. Here is a shot from the top of the clock tower itself, showing the square from above which, like the throng of visitors to the festival, also happens to be red –

To the upper right, you can see the corner that Bella turns as per the previous photo; and past that, green hills below…

This treat is part of the Thank you from @Twilight for getting them to 200K followers!

Source

Chris Weitz & Death Cab For Cutie's Artist on Artist Interview

Artist on Artist with Chris Weitz and Death Cab for Cutie

I have not seen this before, sorry if it is old...but I heart Chris Weitz! :)

Breaking Dawn Dilemma: What will it take for 2 films?

There has been nothing confirmed by Summit yet about 'Breaking Dawn', but Variety sheds some light on what may be the hold up on the go ahead:

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.

I think it is obvious that I want 2 films, who doesn't? Anyone? No? Ok. I mean Summit has already made a shit load of money off this franchise...so they better shell out the dough for two films! Just sayin'...

Oh, and Chris, if you are reading this...PLEASE come back for Breaking Dawn!!!

via @larry411
Fan made Breaking Dawn poster found here

Choose Your EW Cover: Team Edward, Jacob or Bella!

This December 4th Issue of Entertainment Weekly comes out this Friday and you have your choice of covers!

From EW:

NEW YORK – Hot off the tail of the New Moon pre­miere, this week’s Enter­tain­ment Weekly explores the phe­nom­e­non that is the Twi­light series.Chris Weitz opens the door to his beach house look­ing like a wilted rose. He’s unshaven, pale and wear­ing clothes he appears to have found wadded in a ball on his bed­room floor. It’s exactly the way you’d expect to find the direc­tor the morn­ing after his movie The Twi­light Saga: The New Moon opened around the world to num­bers no one thought pos­si­ble. But Weitz isn’t recov­er­ing from a long night of rev­elry. He’s just exhausted. In the last ten days, he’s been in more time zones than the sun, on the last stretch of pro­mo­tional duties for his movie. “I’m at the point of phys­i­cal col­lapse,” says Weitz, 40. “Hope­fully I will now lapse into obscu­rity. That’s my plan.”

We can think of 140 mil­lion rea­sons that’s not going to hap­pen – all of them dol­lars. On open­ing week­end, New Moon made the kind of money usu­ally reserved for comic-book heroes and boy wiz­ards, break­ing records for mid­night screen­ings and Fri­day box office. More sig­nif­i­cantly, Weitz has made the high­est gross­ing female-oriented movie since James Cameron opened Titanic in 1997. And, with San­dra Bul­lock scor­ing a career best open­ing with $34.5 mil­lion for The Blind Side, he’s taken part in one of the most female-driven week­ends in history–one that should wake up what­ever Hol­ly­wood exec­u­tives still under­es­ti­mate the spend­ing power of the purse. Still, Weitz won’t make any grand claims for him­self. “The degree of credit I can take is lim­ited,” he says. “I’m just the glo­ri­fied conductor.”

Read the rest @ EW!

Enter­tain­ment Weekly also show­cases the Break­out Beau­ties & Beasts of New Moon that have grow­ing fan-bases of their own. The newly anointed stars include Alex Meraz, Dakota Fan­ning, Ash­ley Greene, Chaske Spencer, Michael Sheen, Anna Kendrick, and Char­lie Bewley.



via ROBsessed

Chris Weitz Talks About New Moon; Says it was "Made for the Fans"

EW's Pop Watch chatted with New Moon Director, Chris Weitz about New Moon, his favorite cast moments & more:

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What was your biggest fear going into [opening] weekend?

CHRIS WEITZ: I didn’t have any particular fears. The tracking numbers were enough to indicate that I wouldn’t be letting the studio down. But if one could imagine their biggest fears, it would be complete rejection of the movie, by the fans. What I’ve realized over the last week is I won’t necessarily get good reviews for this movie. Having swallowed that, this was made for the fans, and if you don’t get it, then you don’t get it. [My Twilife: LOVE that answer Chris, you are so right!]

Did the negative reviews surprise you?

Nothing surprises me in terms of reviews. Having been a reviewer myself, there are only two ways to spin this story. You can either be the one guy who says this is a great movie, or more likely, take a more jaundiced view of the whole thing. And given the media blitz that has accompanied New Moon, it’s rather unsurprising. I do wish there was more appreciation for cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe. I think he’s a genius and I think he made something beautiful.

It’s interesting then that you went forward with another book adaptation with another studio, considering how badly it went the last time.

I really liked the actors. I saw the first movie and I thought there was something special about Kristen [Stewart] , Rob [Pattinson], and Taylor. I liked the emotional tones to the book. It was stuff I knew how to do. I had this theory that if you stay true to the book, you would win. You would not only win with the fans, but other people will get what the fans care about. If the box office tells us anything, then it’s a win. It’s made more in its first day then the entire domestic run of Golden Compass. It’s extraordinary. [My Twilife: It is really extraordinary and I love how Chris really cares about us as fans!]

What were the highest and lowest points of making New Moon?

The lows had to be shooting at 5 a.m. in a forest and struggling to get certain shots so a sequence would string together properly. It was a very cold forest in British Columbia, and we knew we’d have another night shoot just like it the next day. The highs were the moments of real identification with the actors. With Taylor, the moments early on when he realized he was going to do it. That was very gratifying to me.

What do you think is Taylor’s best scene?

When he jumps into Bella’s room. There is so much pathos there even though it’s melodrama, there’s something touching about it. Or maybe the last moment he has, just when he says Bella’s name. You sort of understand just how crushed he is at that moment. There are a few times where he’s absolutely that guy and it’s really lovely. He’s that guy for the fans and that’s what I always thought he could do.

Do you think Kristen evolved as an actor in this movie?

I’m not sure she evolved as much as she had room to run. She’s a thoroughbred as far as actors go. To me, she can do know wrong. The experience of working with her and the caliber of work she was doing was pretty extraordinary. Let’s put aside girl in love with a vampire, her ability to manifest these emotions below the surface, above the surface just to get things right. She’s extraordinarily exacting of herself and in those moments where I was able to give her the room to do that are things I’m very proud of. That’s a high point.

Do you think you’re going to get some boys into the theater for New Moon?

I think so. I just hope it’s not just guys who were dragged there. And if they were dragged there, I hope some part of them is enjoying it. And I hope they can admit it if that’s the case. But if not, I hope they have a nice night with their girlfriend. I had an imaginary ad campaign saying “Will your girlfriend go in thinking of Edward, Jacob, or you.” I thought that would force men to go. [My Twilife: LMAO That is too funny....true, and very funny!]

Read the full inter­view here.

Chris Weitz Reveals New Moon DVD Deets!

From MTV:

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

After this weekend's record-shattering opening, "New Moon" is now officially the biggest film of 2009. In a few months, it will inevitably become one of the biggest DVD releases of 2010.

So what can we expect from the "New Moon" DVD? Recently, we caught up with director Chris Weitz and got the scoop on the disc you'll soon want sitting next to "Twilight" on your shelf.

"There will be a commentary track," Weitz revealed, saying that he'll soon head into the recording booth with his three big stars, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner. "It'll just be us riffing off each other in our intimate way," he grinned. "We kind of like each other, so that should be fun."

In addition, fans can look forward to picking up a copy of "Twilight in Forks," the independently made documentary that teased fans with brief glimpses of its exploration into the real-life town that inspired Stephenie Meyer, only to be snatched up by Summit in September. An insider told MTV recently that the film will not be re-edited but will hit DVD alongside "New Moon" with all-new packaging and artwork.

Judging by the insatiable appetite of Twilighters, they'll be filling DVD stores in the first quarter of 2010, eager to glimpse the deleted scenes Weitz plans to unveil for the first time.

"There will be probably about 20 minutes of deleted material," he explained, promising some meaty footage. "It really is good stuff and a bonus for the fans."

Among this bonus footage could be several moments MTV knows was shot but did not make the final "New Moon" cut, including:

» A scene with Rachelle Lefevre as Victoria driving to Forks in a car, snacking on a dead human. It was one of the final moments the actress filmed as the nomadic vampire.

» A scene with the human characters eating Burger King.

» Another scene with the humans, this time with Justin Chon and Michael Welch expressing jealousy over Edward's car.

» More scenes with the Volturi in Italy.

» An extended cut of the scene where Mike Newton quotes Shakespeare to Bella in the Forks High parking lot; in it, he does a Marlon Brando impersonation.

» Scenes alluding to the ongoing breakup between Newton and Anna Kendrick's Jessica.

"When I made the film, I wanted it to arrive at a certain kind of flow and cadence," Weitz said of why he had to leave so many scenes on the cutting-room floor but hopes to restore many for the DVD. "[They would have affected] how the movie worked, and they didn't completely fit. But there'll be some groovy stuff in [the DVD]."

I think it is just implied that I can't wait for the DVD! ;)

MTV Explains The New Volvo Color, The Cliffhanger Ending & More

I know we have all wondered why Edward's Volvo changed colors for New Moon, and I know I had mixed feelings about the ending of New Moon...so here are some explainations from Chris Weitz himself:
Edward's Chameleon-Esque Car

If his lousy parking job distracted you, perhaps you didn't notice that when Edward pulled into Forks High, his famed Volvo was no longer gray, as it was in the novels and the first movie. Hey, Chris Weitz, what gives? "I've taken a real spanking for this, a lot of heat," the director explained. "I'll tell you exactly why: Volvo wanted to give us a new, different car so I didn't want to paint it exactly the same silver color, because then [Twilighters] would be saying, 'Why are they trying to say that it's the same car; it's obviously not.' So, I thought, 'Well, I'll choose a new color!' And I thought I would choose slate black, not a reflective black, because it actually absorbs light and it would reflect the mood and melancholy and depression [of his character]. I know I got it wrong, I apologize for that. But that is my reasoning."

The Final Line

As you now know, "New Moon" ends with a very special proposal. But since it was different in Stephenie Meyer's novels, who decided to move it? "My thought was initially to save that for the next movie, because that movie's all about the triangle and Edward's proposal to Bella and her debate about whether to do it or not," Rosenberg explained, giving the credit to Weitz. "Chris realized — and I think rightly so — that belonged here. And it was a great way to go out of the movie."

Read more about Victoria, Taylor, and Bella's Dream about her Gran at MTV!

Chris Weitz Says He is Ready To Quit Making Movies

New Moon director Chris Weitz says he’s ready to quit the movie business.

“Every time I make a movie I’m pretty much convinced it’s the last time I’m going to be able to do it and that really it’s a rather silly occupation to undertake,” Weitz says in the current issue of MovieMaker magazine.

The director says he wants to make just one more film: an homage to The Bicycle Thief, called The Gardener, which would be made half in Spanish and half in English.

Weitz, also directed American Pie and About A Boy, said he became disillusioned with studio interference in his 2007 adaptation of The Golden Compass, a poorly-received fantasy film with Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. “I wanted that to be my masterpiece,” he said. “Unfortunately, the edit was taken from me and whatever chance I had at that was also taken from me, which is kind of sad.”

Instead of making films, Weitz said he would like to read books, become a better surfer, learn to speak Spanish, travel and learn kung-fu.

“It’s nice to make movies, but it’s also really hard.”

Source

Oh noes!! We want him for Breaking Dawn!! Come on C-Dub....do Breaking Dawn!!

Rob, Kristen, Taylor & Chris @ London Fan Event

Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and New Moon director Chris Weitz on the red carpet in London for the UK Fan Event today.

View a TON more pictures @ Breakingdawn.fr

via NMM

Rob, Kristen, Michael & Chris Talk About Edward & Bella's Romance

Chris Weitz Gives Deets on New Moon DVD Extras!

Collider.com interviewed New Moon director Chris Wetiz and he is already giving us some awesome news about DVD extras! :)

Collider: What can we expect on the New Moon DVD?
Chris Weitz: On the DVD there will be some deleted scenes, there will be a commentary with me and I think Kristen, Rob and Taylor at the same time, and some making of and behind the scenes type stuff.

My big question is how many minutes of deleted scenes?
Weitz: I think it’s around twenty.

Is there really going to be that many minutes?
Weitz: Yeah, but sometimes it’s just showing a whole scene with bits that have been cut out. There is not like twenty minutes of stuff thrown out. It’s like here is the fully expanded scene.

Here’s my question….the Twilight fans are obsessed with seeing stuff they haven’t seen before. So how many minutes do you think of footage that’s not in the theater would be on the DVD/Blu-ray?
Weitz: I’d say a good ten minutes of groovy stuff they haven’t seen.

So why did you cut it?
Weitz: The running time of the film and the cadence of how I wanted the film to play.

AWESOME! I haven't even seen New Moon in Theatres yet, and I am already pumped for the DVD!

via NMM

Cast Pictures From New Moon Press Conference

I Love C-Dub!
She is too darn cute!
Lookin' good TayTay!

Rocking the signature Plaid!
I love this dress, KStew Looks Great here!

See more untagged pics over at KStewartfans!

Interview With Chris Weitz on the Set of New Moon

Chris talks about why he was excited to work on New Moon and what we as fans can expect of New Moon.

via KStewDevotee