Top 5 Twilight Questions Surrounding New Moon by Larson Hill
The
Twilight sequel, New Moon, is now three weeks
into production and it won't be long before the
second movie in the Stephenie Meyer based Twilight
Saga is in the can and ready for post. But with
so many New Moon headlines hitting the web at
breakneck speed, there's still a lot to ponder
about the various layers of the Twilight sequel
as director Chris Weitz and crew work like vampires
in the night to bring New Moon to life. Although
there's been a lot of speculation surrounding
New Moon stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart,
Taylor Lautner and Nikki Reed, at this point in
time in the evolution of New Moon there are a
few nagging questions we've been rolling over
in recent days.
With New Moon three weeks into production swing in Vancouver, here are the Top 5 Twilight questions surrounding New Moon that we've been wondering about:
So what's the Twilight deal on New Moon in Italy?
First let's start with what appeared in Variety back in February, that stated New Moon "will shoot in the ancient Tuscan city of Volterra in May for two weeks. In Stephenie Meyer's bestselling New Moon tome, Volterra is the town where the powerful Volturi vampire coven reside." A month later, a blog report hit the web from Italian film journalist Piera Detassis that strongly indicated that New Moon would be shot in the Italian town of Montepulciano instead of Volterra. Weeks later, reports surfaced that suggested New Moon would be filming in Montepulciano for only five days from May 25 to May 30, which Italian Twilight distributors denied. Still, headlines then appeared that pointed out how the denial didn't flat-out rule out Montepulciano as a location. Keep in mind, however, a month earlier in March, Italian Twilight distributors issued a statement that revealed no location was found for New Moon. And from start to finish, we still have Volterra and Montepulciano in play with shooting anywhere from two weeks to five days.
So what's the Twilight deal on New Moon in Italy? Aside from all of the confirmations, "will," "will not," denials, and daily retractions, nothing yet. The Italian location for New Moon hasn't officially been confirmed. Hopefully Chris Weitz and Summit can use a bit of both towns since Volterra is making a plea to not be cut out of the Twilight mix and Montepulciano isn't that far away.
After all of the hype about New Moon in Italy, what would be ironically bizarre is if the tower clock was actually filmed on a soundstage Vancouver.
Why do the New Moon stars HAVE to be in love with each other?
So, let's see if we can rake out the alleged, reported, supposed, and apparent romantic leaves on the set on New Moon in Vancouver. Now that the Twilight sequel New Moon is underway, with actor Robert Pattinson putting a quick end to the rumors that he's dating Kristen Stewart, headlines have it that Pattinson is allegedly dating New Moon actress Nikki Reed while co-star Kristen Stewart is supposedly getting closer to actor Taylor Lautner who plays Jacob Black in the Stephenie Meyer based Twilight sequel.
In the last couple of weeks we've seen images appear online of the New Moon stars out on the town in Vancouver at various restaurants or simply walking together and hanging out. Does any of it mean that the New Moon stars are going out with each other? Well, it may depend on whether you believe that simply being outside is proof that you're having an affair with the 10 strangers standing next to you at the intersection. Who knows? Are photos, unnamed sources, and eye witness accounts romantic fantasy or romanticized reality?
What can we expect from the New Moon teaser trailer?
So the first teaser trailer for New Moon will be included on the upcoming May 5 Amazon release of Twilight Blu-Ray Ultimate Collector's Set. Now that Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and the rest of the New Moon cast is currently on-set in Vancouver, just three weeks into New Moon, what can we expect from the first teaser? Well, I could be wrong on this (and if so, c'est la vie), but I'm guessing not a lot. I remember being let down big time by Jurassic Park III when the first teaser simply featured a dino-roar and claw marks on the screen. I mean, think back to Wolverine's three "sniktity" claw marks as the first teaser for X3, later X-Men: The Last Stand. Both of those were clear examples of a "teaser." Although anything is possible in the world of New Moon magic, a month and a half doesn't feel like enough time to cut anything meaningful other than cobbled together raw footage set to music. How about a montage of a few ambiguous stills that fade into the already released New Moon logo? Maybe. Maybe it will be imagery for the first official poster. My guy feeling is that something more generic has already been put together with room to include something new before the Blu-Ray release. I don't know.
But ...
The BD Live feature on the Blu-Ray allows for the trailer to be uploaded to the disc, which certainly bypasses the traditional deadline based method of including teaser trailers in the first press process of DVDs. If the teaser hasn't already been made - ie: it wouldn't be hard to have voice over and narration set to a black screen and the New Moon logo fade in - the BD Live buys the production more time to work on something more substantial between now and the first week of May. Either way, I'm curious to see if it lives up to the hype and the New Moon teaser proves me wrong.
What other New Moon casting surprises can we expect?
Just over a week ago it was confirmed that British actor, Jamie Campbell-Bower will be playing the Volturi leader, Caius. I'm not going to go on and on into the Twilight night about this, but when Campbell-Bower confirmed to the BBC that he'd be stepping into the New Moon shoes of Caius, Jamie also revealed that he knows "who else" will be in New Moon. Obviously Campbell-Bower wasn't about to give up more New Moon casting secrets in his BBC interview, but does that mean we can expect even more actors to be announced in the near future? And no, not Vin Diesel, as people fell for on April 1 (aka April Fool's). So who would they be? Since the Jamie Campbell-Bower confirmation, this one has been nagging at me every couple of days. Interestingly, and certainly not surprising, Campbell-Bower told the BBC interviewer, "But go online and have a look at the rumors. They're all false."
What do you think? Any thoughts on who he might be referring to in the way of new New Moon cast members?
Will the hype for New Moon eventually hurt the Twilight stars?
I posed this question before, but a lot has happened in the way of headlines in recent weeks. As for the Twilight franchise at large, the hype won't hurt its popularity. Look at Harry Potter and the Star Wars movies for examples of crazy fan and media hype from movie to movie. The actors, however, I'm not so sure.
Given all of the hype for Twilight and New Moon, it's good to see that Robert Pattinson is eyeing a role in the upcoming Summit project, Memoirs, while Kristen Stewart can be seen in Cake Eaters and Adventureland before seemingly loving rock and roll and putting another dime in the jukebox as Joan Jett in Runaways. As well, Nikki Reed will soon be making a bold leap to play a transgender woman in K-11. It's hard to look into the Twilight future and predict how Twilight will affect the careers of its stars. When the hype for the Stephenie Meyer based franchise subsides at some point, who will be the last actor sitting in the Twilight musical chair, only to possibly be known as "that" Twilight guy or gal?
Interestingly enough, Taylor Lautner looks to have a free pass, for now, in terms of a hard Twilight stereotype since his star is currently on the rise and he and Jacob Black weren't heavily featured in Twilight. Strictly in terms of shaking off the dreaded pigeonhole and not letting Twilight, New Moon, and future movies define their careers, the fact that Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Nikki Reed are looking beyond New Moon and the Twilight franchise is smart on all of their parts. Throughout the decades it's happened to many a popular actor. Just ask Davy Jones of the Monkees in the '60s and Mark Hamill of Star Wars in the late '70s and '80s. At the other end of the spectrum, Daniel Radcliffe is the current Litmus test to see if he can shake off Harry Potter as he gets older. Still, these types of opportunities don't come around often for many actors, so it's not necessarily a bad thing to be "that" franchise anyone.
Are you guys going to change the cast members in the third and fouth one?? because if you do... i will NOT see it!!!!! i can promise you that!!!!!
chantelle – australia
April 29, 2009 - 21:28
Subject: rumor found completely true.
Yeah Stephanie Meyer is writing a book in Edward's perspective. I read it in the back of her special edition of twilight (the book) I would type it out but its the whole first chapter and its a few pages long. So if you want to read it go pick up the book. (or just read it in the shop all sneaky like if you cant find it on the web and you don't want to buy the book)
angel07 – Texas
April 29, 2009 - 16:38
Subject: Twighliht spinoff?
I heard a rumor the other day that another book was being written from "Edward's" point of view. And that you can start reading it online. Does anyone know if this is true? If so, where is this websight? I really need my Twighlight fix! I was really depressed when I finished the last book.
Reply to angel07
chantelle – australia
April 29, 2009 - 21:31
Subject: Re: Twighliht spinoff?
i actually didn't know i could reply to you. but yeah its true. check it out in the back of the special edition of twilight. (the book of course)
Reply to angel07
Lori – ohio
April 30, 2009 - 21:08
Subject: Re: Twighliht spinoff?
you can find it on stephenie meyers web site on her list of books
Reply to angel07
Allyson – home LOL
May 02, 2009 - 19:51
Subject: Re: Twighliht spinoff?
yup! lol i am on page 28!!!!
Reply to angel07
matt
May 13, 2009 - 16:36
Subject: Re: Twighliht spinoff?
at this point stefanie has stopped the book which is called midnight sun because a ruff draft was leaked on the internet so at this time she says she has no plan to finish it you can go on her website stephaniemeyers.com and read the 1st 12 chapters
Carolyn – Sioux Falls, SD
April 22, 2009 - 16:16
Subject: The Volturi, etc.
I do agree about Caius - I had in mind at least Olivier Martinez - Jamie would make a better Alec - I'm afraid the guy they cast is too baby faced, we'll see how menacing he can look. Oh well - they're going to do what they want. Casting so far has been stellar... I hope they continue with that trend and don't put any big names in the mix - it will mess with the dynamics of the series, period. I just keep hoping they'll put more thought into continuity through the movies and have really good directors - as I said before, Mike Newell - Goblet of Fire - whoever did that screenplay and Mike together did a beautiful job of condensing that large, multifaceted book into a beautiful movie - I still think as far as Harry Potter goes, that is the best of the series so far. Half Blood Prince does look extremely promising.... but I hope the actors continue to have their say and yet they stay fairly consistent with the feel and theme of the books - because ultimately what we love is Edward, Bella & Co, their Love, Integrity and Soul. It's something to dream about and strive for in this crazy world - realistic - maybe not - but we can hope.
Carolyn – Sioux Falls, SD
April 22, 2009 - 16:07
Subject: New Moon - Rob, Kristen & Taylor
I hope they put more thought into who directs Eclipse and Breaking Dawn than they did into New Moon. I hope I am pleasantly surprised by the outcome.I get the feeling they think the franchise will make money no matter what so they can have whoever gives them the biggest bang for the buck. This series is a Love/vampire story - got to do both & well. Catherine had plenty of things right - except for the intimacy/build-up/connection between Edward & Bella, that was disjointed and still pulled off well because of Kristen & Rob's talent. I hope very much (along with millions of fans) that they make Breaking Dawn - and I hope they get the right person to direct it (how about Mike Newell??). Rob and Kristen will be forever associated with Twilight anyway - but I believe they have the skills to embrace it and transcend it - just as Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet have - Titanic made them - and Twilight will make Kristen and Rob & Company - it takes real talent to translate books into life - and they did it. They are Bella & Edward - Stephenie's books are the springboard for an epic - some of her dialogue corny, sure... but Twilight managed to interpret that fairly well. You feel somehow, it could be real - Rob & Kristen made it a bit more current. New Moon is the saddest book of the series - but with great Love sometimes there is great pain, and great sacrifice. I believe each movie will get better and better - and grow right along with this cast. Hopefully the media doesn't destroy them before it's over... entirely too much in your face media and coverage - and the newstand rags recycling any little quote from the cast 5 months ago they can misconstrue.... I'm hoping somehow they all survive and we'll be enjoying them for years to come - Rob is the next James Dean, Mel Gibson and Elvis rolled in to one - Kristen is the next Katherine Ross & Diane Keaton - they both will be able to do whatever they want. This is their time, their place - what a ride!
Mary – IL
April 20, 2009 - 15:52
Subject: Caius
I was really disappointed to see such a young guy potray Caius. I pictured him older. He should be older... for goodness sake read the book.
Emiiiii
April 19, 2009 - 14:54
Subject:
guys i think the reason edward can read the packs mind better is because there are like what 16 werewolfs in the end. and he also said that it was different from one persons so its like he can read all of it like aro everything they have ever thought or expirenced. i mean it makes perfect sense. o ya and by the way i absolutly ADORE ROB. he is the bestest person in the world i mean even with the all the fame and stuff hes still humble and down to earth. and kristen too shes really sweet. i llike the fact that her and rob their chemistry just flows. its soo natural. it makes it so much more believable in the end. and that soooo helps the movie cuz like you cant have people who dont have good chemistry try and make falling in love look real. and i soo think that in new moon they should leave it the way the book is becuase you cant have edward in it alot in order to like the whole effect that bella feels like she is going to die if she even thinks of him to much. i mean you cant just have him pop up out of no where. i understand that hes like hott ond all but like in order to make it feel more real you have to only have as much as of him in there as bella can handle . am i right or am i right. i also think that in twilight they should have added the biology scene where they are blood typing and its the first day they start talking again and so they are blood typing in biology and edward skips that class. bella gets sick from the smell of blood and mike has to take her to the nurse. so on their way to the nurse bella asks mike to stop. he does and she lies down on the side walk and edward sees this from his car where he is listening to music.so he comes over all alarmed and is like bella whats wrong and the he scopes her up in his arms and takes her to the nurse but the whole time she is thinking please dont let me puke on this boy. and so they go the nurse and bella feels better so edward takes her home and alice drops off bella truck at her house. but i think they should have added it because its the first time that you see how much edawrd realy cares about bella even though he doesnt really know it yet.
Pippa – UK
April 14, 2009 - 06:07
Subject: Twilight Flims /music and books
Having read the comments on this site I would like to affirm that despite trying desperately to abstain (giving my brain/heart a night off from the whole Twilight project films and books ) I've failed miserably and have whole heartedly embraced it and now cannot sleep without having my fix, be it the wonderful DVD of Twilight, the music of the film or reading one of the books and looking up the beautiful and talented Robert Pattinson on a daily basis to see how the filming is going on of New Moon. I now realise that I'm not a sad person who is extremely addicted, I am part of a huge fan base who supports and applauds the hard work of all the actors on this franchise. My heart belong to Robert Pattinson and my husband is a Twilight widower.
Alex
April 14, 2009 - 05:02
Subject:
All this mystery for a film is exaggerated, we are not talking about going where the presidents from around the world.
Diane
April 12, 2009 - 10:31
Subject: The Saga
The Twilight snowball is really gaining momentum. I believe that Twilight will be one of those timeless stories, much like Romeo and Juliet and that many, many years from now people will still be drawn to it.
I can't wait to see New Moon with it's big budget. However, I think its absolutely wonderful that we have the original movie without the huge names (and egos) and a director who really put her heart into the production.
The
Twilight sequel, New Moon, is now three weeks
into production and it won't be long before the
second movie in the Stephenie Meyer based Twilight
Saga is in the can and ready for post. But with
so many New Moon headlines hitting the web at
breakneck speed, there's still a lot to ponder
about the various layers of the Twilight sequel
as director Chris Weitz and crew work like vampires
in the night to bring New Moon to life. Although
there's been a lot of speculation surrounding
New Moon stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart,
Taylor Lautner and Nikki Reed, at this point in
time in the evolution of New Moon there are a
few nagging questions we've been rolling over
in recent days.
So, let's see if we can rake out the alleged, reported, supposed, and apparent romantic leaves on the set on New Moon in Vancouver. Now that the Twilight sequel New Moon is underway, with actor Robert Pattinson putting a quick end to the rumors that he's dating Kristen Stewart, headlines have it that Pattinson is allegedly dating New Moon actress Nikki Reed while co-star Kristen Stewart is supposedly getting closer to actor Taylor Lautner who plays Jacob Black in the Stephenie Meyer based Twilight sequel.
So the first teaser trailer for New Moon will be included on the upcoming May 5 Amazon release of Twilight Blu-Ray Ultimate Collector's Set. Now that Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and the rest of the New Moon cast is currently on-set in Vancouver, just three weeks into New Moon, what can we expect from the first teaser? Well, I could be wrong on this (and if so, c'est la vie), but I'm guessing not a lot. I remember being let down big time by Jurassic Park III when the first teaser simply featured a dino-roar and claw marks on the screen. I mean, think back to Wolverine's three "sniktity" claw marks as the first teaser for X3, later X-Men: The Last Stand. Both of those were clear examples of a "teaser." Although anything is possible in the world of New Moon magic, a month and a half doesn't feel like enough time to cut anything meaningful other than cobbled together raw footage set to music. How about a montage of a few ambiguous stills that fade into the already released New Moon logo? Maybe. Maybe it will be imagery for the first official poster. My guy feeling is that something more generic has already been put together with room to include something new before the Blu-Ray release. I don't know.
Just over a week ago it was confirmed that British actor, Jamie Campbell-Bower will be playing the Volturi leader, Caius. I'm not going to go on and on into the Twilight night about this, but when Campbell-Bower confirmed to the BBC that he'd be stepping into the New Moon shoes of Caius, Jamie also revealed that he knows "who else" will be in New Moon. Obviously Campbell-Bower wasn't about to give up more New Moon casting secrets in his BBC interview, but does that mean we can expect even more actors to be announced in the near future? And no, not Vin Diesel, as people fell for on April 1 (aka April Fool's). So who would they be? Since the Jamie Campbell-Bower confirmation, this one has been nagging at me every couple of days. Interestingly, and certainly not surprising, Campbell-Bower told the BBC interviewer, "But go online and have a look at the rumors. They're all false."
Given all of the hype for Twilight and New Moon, it's good to see that Robert Pattinson is eyeing a role in the upcoming Summit project, Memoirs, while Kristen Stewart can be seen in Cake Eaters and Adventureland before seemingly loving rock and roll and putting another dime in the jukebox as Joan Jett in Runaways. As well, Nikki Reed will soon be making a bold leap to play a transgender woman in K-11. It's hard to look into the Twilight future and predict how Twilight will affect the careers of its stars. When the hype for the Stephenie Meyer based franchise subsides at some point, who will be the last actor sitting in the Twilight musical chair, only to possibly be known as "that" Twilight guy or gal?