Originally I heard from a very excited friend, who also happens to be a diehard Twilight addict, that director Catherine Hardwicke had been cut from directing the next films in the series. I was personally not a fan of Hardwicke’s directing style. I think she took a potentially over-the-top, melo-dramatic script and made it even more ridiculous with her grandiose style. Plus, the way she directed the actors was just down-right bad. They had no emotions, and the beauty of Stephanie Meyer’s novels and her characters is that although these people are in extraordinary circumstances, they are still people, with feelings, and humor, and lively-ness. I don’t know, Hardwicke’s style seemed to suck all the life from the book.
I do think at times the book gets a little full of itself; I mean, come on, what’s so spectacular about Bella that every guy in town wants to carry her school books and carve their initials on the lush flora surrounding Forks, WA? However, if I were going to direct the movie of “Twilight,” I would have made everything more mundane, to contrast the weird goings-on. All I get from the film is drama, drama, drama, running up trees. Boring!
So apparently Hardwicke, the innovative indie director who likes to throw tantrums, was a little too emotiional and artistic for the Summit company to handle. She wanted to take her sweet time in nurturing the next film, while Summit had a Thanksgiving release in mind. What’s really interesting is the discrepancy in the story. I found numerous articles stating the decision to can Hardwicke was all Summit’s idea. They needed a product, she was in their way, so they dealt with her. However, I also happened to find a little piece from MTV giving Hardwicke her side of the story, saying that despite the ENORMOUS sum of money she was offered to take on “New Moon,” her artistic sensibilities just would not allow it.
Poor Catherine. Well, I’d feel bad for her losing all that money, if I didn’t think that her strong belief set could keep her fed and warm through the harsh winter ahead. To Summit I say, you better find somebody that can actually make Kristin Stewart smile, or this is one Stephanie Meyer fan that will not be giving you a second chance.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_picture/2008/12/why-twilight-di.html
