DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD: SUMMIT PICKS BAYONA TO DIRECT TWILIGHT THREEQUEL ‘ECLIPSE’
March 11th, 2009
Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily is breaking the story that the director has finally been chosen for “Eclipse”:
I can confirm that Summit Entertainment is telling Hollywood privately that Juan Antonio Bayona will direct Eclipse. It’s a very out-of-the-box choice for the 3rd movie in the “Twilight Saga” series of Stephenie Meyer vampire novels being hurried to the big screen by the start-up studio. (I guess it doesn’t matter that other sources tell me Bayona hasn’t yet met Stephenie, huh?) Known as a horror wunderkjind and Guillermo Del Toro protege, the age 33 Bayona screened his Spanish language Gothic mystery El Orfanato (The Orphanage) to a 10-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. Eclipse is his English language debut. Chris Weitz has already replaced Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke on the sequel New Moon due in November. Eclipse is set for release June 30, 2010, and features battles between werewolves and vampires. Now the question is whether the Twilight fans and Stephenie Meyer will say “Olé”.
This is huge news! All we’ve heard is rumors about the ‘Eclipse’ director for weeks and weeks. I’m so excited to hear something. Like always though this is not a confirmation by Summit yet. Nothing is official until Summit confirms. However in the past, Deadline Hollywood Daily has brought us stories like the news of Catherine Harwicke’s departure and the announcement that “Eclipse” would be made into a movie.
What do you think of this news? Do you think Juan Antonio Bayona is a good choice?
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I actually think he is a good choice. He’s probably going to be the next Guillermo Del Toro, I think He will do a very good job with Eclipse.
i like the orphanage, it’s epic.
congrats to juan and i hope he could bring eclipse much much more better…
He’s intriguing! I think he’s a promising choice, especially if what it says about his being a Guillermo del Toro protege is true. Anyone here ever seen del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth? Fantastic, wonderful movie, a thoroughly elemental and disturbing fairy tale. And I’ve often thought the Twilight movies ought to have an edge like that, especially Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. If Bayona brings that sort of thing on board, then wonderful! If he pulls it off successfully for Eclipse, I hope everyone considers his staying on for BD.
paul weitz is my first choice, but i wouldn’t mind it at all if an accomplished director such as bayona were to direct eclipse
I am so excited to hear that Juan Antonio Bayona is possibly slated to direct Eclipse….The Orphanage was a GREAT movie that was done incredibly well. That is great news! While I love Drew Barrymore as an actress, if she was chosen to direct Eclipse I don’t have much faith that she would have translated the book to movie properly.
Wow. I’d like to hear what Stephenie Meyer has to say about this. I mean, from what it looks like, he’s only done some short films and only a total of 4 films overall. He might do well with the scary parts of Eclipse, but I wonder about the language barrier and capturing the essence of the love story that is the Twilight Saga! I was really kind of hoping it would stay with the Weitz brothers. I’m interested to hear other opinions about this selection, which I’m sure we’ll hear plenty of…but mainly Stephenie’s. I do trust Summit knows what they’re doing though, so I’m sure it will all work out.
who is this person? is he any good? i dont se ewhy they ahve to switch directors already.
Well, I knew his name was in the mix but I have to say that this is a surprise. I haven’t seen any of his other work so I can’t comment on that. M my concern is going to be on how extensive his knowledge of the books is and if he’s willing to create a film that is true to Stephanie’s vision and not his own. Plus, he’s got us to keep in mind as well. Let’s face it, any Director willing to take on one of these projects needs to approach the work with the understanding that we, the fans are more than just your run-of-the-mill movie audience.
This is all just a rumor still,so,we shall see…
I’M ALL FOR BAYONA, I’M GLAD THEY DIDN’T CHOOSE BARRYMORE. I SAW THE TRAILER FOR “THE ORPHANAGE” AND IT WAS REALLY CREEPY. I’M SURE HE WILL DO GREAT WITH ECLIPSE.
Well I am glad to hear that it won’t be Drew Barrymore. Can’t wait to see what this director has to bring to the table.
I actually enjoy seeing the different kinds of things different directors bring to movies in the same genre or even series (like Harry Potter). I don’t know anything about the guy so who knows? He could do a completely amazing job, and I hope he does.
Well, better him than drew barrymore. My only concern would be his ability to portray the love triangle well. I am sure he will handle the horror element well but I just hope he doesn’t make it all horror and gore and we get none of the love story that’s the heart of twilight.
Pure relief! It’s NOT Drew!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If Summit confirms this information, I will be more than happy! If we cannot have Guillermo del Toro, we at least have his protégé! I am sure he will do his great job and bring the perfect eye to Eclipse. Can’t wait! I loved “The Orphanage”…
While I was hoping the Barrymore rumors were not true, I can’t say I’m entirely comforted with a lock on Bayona instead. His “English language DEBUT?!?!” Not very reassuring. I admit, I have not seen any of his work, but it sounds like they were all foreign horror films (so I doubt I would have been interested). Not sure how that led him to be tapped for Eclipse. I will feel better when Stephenie meets him and gives her blessing. In the interim, I will try to keep an open mind, and hope people’s faith in him is justified.
Summit must have heard us that we didn’t want Drew Barrymore! I’m very happy with the pick and I have the vote of confidence in him! Eclipse is a dark time for Twilight saga and that is totally up his alley. I’m excited to see what he have to offer Twilight fans!
I think that Bayona is a pretty interesting choice - The Orphanage was pretty good and since that clearly was a darker type of film, Eclipse would be a good fit for Bayona. I’m just glad that it isn’t Drew Barrymore. No offense, I like Drew - just not at the wheel of the Twilight Saga…
so excited about this choice. i loved the orphanage and i think he’ll make for a very interesting choice!
so well have our fight with the newborns but what about thbe proposal, will bellas head get ripped off? can this man direct anything but horror cause its not all gore
I have only seen The Orphanage that Bayona has directed but in no way was the movie gory at all, it just had a dark creepiness to it. So even though it is technically placed in the horror movie genre I would tend to say it’s more of a thriller type of movie. And as far as capturing the love story, I’m confident that Bayona will do it well. He was able to capture the intense love between a mother and her young son in The Orphanage extremely well so hopefully he will have no problem pulling off this type of love relationship too:-)
Love Drew, but she would have been horrible as the director for Eclipse. Dont know much about Bayona, but he seems to have artistic integrity (and that’s always good).
The more I read about him, the more excited I am that they chose him! He could make Eclipse Oscar-worthy - wouldn’t that be cool? It could be a great stroke of luck for the actors to be able to work with him and learn from him.
Just keep the awesome romance, Juan!!!
The Orphanage was awesome…here’s to an awesome transition to the big screen, Eclipse!