Summit Deliberating Over Breaking Dawn
Tue, December 1, 2009 
In just two weeks, The Twilight Saga: New Moon has chugged out nearly $500 million worldwide. That much coin would make any studio anxious for "another one of those" ASAP. Thankfully for Summit, the third installment Eclipse is nearly complete with a June 10, 2010 release locked and set.
But looking at the 70% (!) drop-off this past weekend, Twilight isn’t the kind of franchise that benefits from two to three year build up between movies. They’re front-loaded as shit. It’s clear the studio realizes this. Hence why there is an eight month release gap between New Moon and Eclipse. Now comes the $64,000 question –what will they do about the final book in the series Breaking Dawn?
Variety reports that Summit is steadily mulling over what to do. They’ve already commissioned Melissa Rosenberg on penning duties for a fourth go-ahead. She’s written all three films in the series. There’s also the bigger issue of whether to split the finale into two films (a la Warner Brothers’ plan with Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows) or leave it at a single film. A director has yet to hired, although damn-near everyone (i.e. studio, cast, fans, etc.) really wants New Moon helmer Christ Weitz to return. What, no love for the filmmaker who made this phenomenon possible Catherine Hardwicke or David Slade behind the forthcoming Eclipse? Ouch.
Another one little (read: big) issue about the contracts of the three leads: Kristin Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. The three young chaps are signed up for four films. If Summit opts for the "Let’s drag this out as much as we can" mind-set, they’ll have to shell out extra dough for Breaking Dawn – Part II.
Of course, they’ll give in to the demands of the actors (and most likely Weitz) because there is simply too much money to be made.
Reader Comments (3)
1. Is there really enough material in that book for two movies? Probably not.
2. Does Summit have anything on the horizon that would make them any profit? Don't think so.
3. Am I going to have to go through an extra month of fanboys cursing upon this franchise? All signs point to ...aw crap.
Nevermind splitting the book, do you think they take an extra step and create an original 5th installment?
^I've been pondering that question Peter.