Kristen Stewart deserved to be proud that in 2008 Twilight became an international box office hit, making over $356 million dollars worldwide. Based on the 1st book in the trilogy written by author Stephenie Meyer, Twilight gave fans and Summit Entertainment their money’s worth with an almost $70 million opening weekend, which nearly doubled the $37 million production budget. Numbers aside, Twilight generated mainstream interest in the remainder of the upcoming adaptations - New Moon and Eclipse - with a newly heightened anticipation already swelling amongst fans of the novels and the first film, which launched the beginning of what’s sure to be a lucrative, fan friendly franchise.Moviegoers who went into Twilight without reading the books before seeing the film pushed sales of the original Twilight novel back into the top ten bestsellers list. Since the release of Twilight in November 2008, press and fan-buzz for the sequel New Moon has been mounting since a development deal was confirmed and casting for New Moon began. All the original actors are on tap to star in New Moon, with Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson set to reprise their roles as Bella and Edward respectively.
In the sequel, New Moon brings fresh characters to the story and raises the importance of others already established, namely Jacob Black who was introduced in the first part of the trilogy. However, with New Moon already in production in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Twilight sequel could see a few more already established young actresses in 90210 star AnnaLynne McCord and 15-year old Hollywood veteran Dakota Fanning. Although McCord and Fanning haven’t been officially confirmed for roles in New Moon, only currently "in Talks", it’s been reported that Dakota Fanning is circling the part of Jane, a new character introduced in the second novel.
With a new director in Golden Compass helmer Chris Weitz, who replaces Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke, New Moon will indeed be "new" to fans in several ways, including the continuation of an increasingly intricate story. And when it comes to the online buzz surrounding the Twilight sequel, there’s no shortage of speculation as to how New Moon will shape up.
Although Twilight didn’t strike quite a favorable nerve with critics and it left some hardliners of the novel feeling like the film had not done the book justice, the stakes are definitely higher for the sequel.
Wait and see...
