‘New Moon’ Lands New Director in Chris Weitz

Dec 12, 2008 at 2:30pm

Summit Entertainment has finally found new blood for New Moon.

After Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke, 53, bailed on/was removed from the instantly-greenlit sequel Moon, Summit was left searching for a helmer under pressure of a rapidly approaching start date for the film’s production.

Today, Entertainment Weekly reports that the studio has smiled on 39-year-old Chris Weitz, director of Nicole Kidman‘s The Golden Compass and co-director of Hugh Grant‘s About a Boy.

“He’s the quality-of-life-choice,” a source tells EW of the decision, citing his agreeability, experience with special effects and his track record wrangling young talent. (Along with his brother, Paul Weitz, Chris also directed American Pie.)

While both Summit and reps for Weitz deny a deal has yet been signed, the magazine insists an agreement is “imminent.”

Twilight has thus far grossed $141 million in the U.S., and made a star of Robert Pattinson (but perhaps not Taylor Lautner).

The report goes on to say that, after an announcement this Sunday, Weitz could immediately ship off to Canada to start work.

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Mercedes Martinez and Chris Weitz | MTV Photo Gallery
Director Chris Weitz | MTV Photo Gallery
Chris Weitz
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