SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT signs director DAVID SLADE to helm its third TWILIGHT film ECLIPSE

days-of-night Summit Entertainment has announced that is has secured the services of director David Slade to helm the third installment of their Twilight franchise which is titled The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. It’s amazing how fast Summit is moving setting up the third entry in this franchise even though the second installment, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, has just begun filming under the direction of Chris Weitz (American Pie).

It’s become quite apparent that Summit is looking to broaden there overall fan base for the series by hiring a director known for two R-rated films. I think the Slade hiring is a good move as he’s certainly an interesting talent. Besides helming the very involving adult oriented psychological thriller Hard Candy which starred Ellen Page, Slade went on to direct 30 Days of Night, a film that I think is one of the very best vampire films made in the last ten years. Going by that movie there’s no doubt the guy can create terrific atmosphere and deliver a scary brand of vampire. My only question would be: why hire another director for the third installment before you see what Weitz does with the second installment. What if he turns out a great movie? Wouldn’t you want him back! I’ve never seen anything like this. Since the success of Twilight put Summit Entertainment on the map, I would guess they’re being as aggressive as possible to keep interest high while looking to maximize the overall products box-office potential. New Moon is scheduled to hit theaters Nov 20, 2009 and Eclipse June 30, 2010.

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