TOP TEN TUESDAYS – THE TOP TEN ‘TWILIGHT’ RELATED NEWS ITEMS OF 2009

We’re at the beginning of 2010 and there will inevitably be a whole new group of Twilight-related news stories and announcements (*crossing fingers for a Breaking Dawn green light*). Well, before we jump into the new year and look forward to all of the new stories that are sure to come, we want to take one last look back at 2009 and the top news stories that caught our eyes. For each story below, you’ll find a brief description of each story and a date for each. Click on the date to read the full article for each news item.

10. (May 11th) – In May, a woman happened to come across a script for New Moon and another film in a rubbish bin. The woman handed the scripts over to Summit Entertainment and in return was invited her to the premieres to both films.

9. (December 19th) – At the end of 2009, Amazon compiled a list of the Top 10 Best-Selling Authors and Books of the Decade List. Stephenie Meyer came second on the Authors list, one behind J.K. Rowling and the 4 books of the ‘Twilight’ series came 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th.

8. (December 14th) – At the end of 2009, the ‘New Moon’ trailer was named #1 most watched video of 2009. Beating Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladie’s’ video and Lady Gaga’s ‘Poker Face’ to the top spot.

7. (June 3rd) – In June ‘Twilight’ author Stephenie Meyer was named #26 on Forbes’ Most Powerful Celebrity, just behind Simon Cowell.

6. (November 22nd) – ‘New Moon’ became the third-largest film debut in the US with$140.7 million on the first weekend.

5.(February 23rd/August 1st) – In February the third instalment of the ‘Twilight’ saga, ‘Eclipse’ was announced with a release date for North America. And in August the worldwide release dates for ‘New Moon’ were announce via the official ‘New Moon’ website.

4. (August 4th/December 3rd) In August 2009 it was reported that Stephenie Meyer was facing a plagiarism suit for her last book in the ‘Twilight’ series ‘Breaking Dawn’. But in December 2009 the plagiarism suit against Stephenie Meyer was dismissed, with the Judge stating “that the two works have little in common and that the ‘characters in the two works are vastly different.”

3. (July 29th/July 31st) – In the summer while Jamie Campbell Bower was out promoting ‘New Moon’ to MTV he made a comment about a nude scene where Aro, Cauis and Marcus of the Volturi would be nude in a bathhouse. But a few days later director Chris Weitz’s made a statement that there wound not be a nude scene in ‘New Moon’.

2. (January 7th) – At the end of 2008 there was much speculation that Taylor Lautner wouldn’t be reprising his role as Jacob Black, but in January it was announced by Summit Entertainment that Taylor would be back as Jacob Black for ‘New Moon’

1. (April 15th) -This past year the cast of the ‘Twilight’ Saga has become increasingly bigger. With Twilighters welcoming a few new faces and a few of Hollywood’s greats. For New Moon we welcomed:

Alex Meraz (Paul), Bronson Pelletier (Jared), Kiowa Gordon (Embry Call), Chaske Spencer (Sam Uley), Christopher Heyerdahl (Marcus), Charlie Bewley (Demetri), Daniel Cudmore (Felix), Dakota Fanning (Jane), Michael Sheen (Aro), Graham Greene (Harry Clearwater), Tinsel Korey (Emily Young), Noot Seear (Heidi), Tyson Houseman (Quil Ateara), Cameron Bright (Alec), Justine Wachsberger (Gianna) and Jamie Campbell-Bower (Caius).

And for Eclipse we welcomed:

(August 18th) – Xavier Samuel (Riley Biers), Bryce Dallas Howard (Victoria), Jodelle Ferland (Bree), Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria), Jack Huston (Royce King II), Julia Jones (Leah Clearwater), Boo Boo Stewart (Seth Clearwater), Kirsten Prout (Lucy) and Alex Rice (Sue Clearwater).