Juan Antonio Bayona Will Direct ‘Twilight’ Sequel ‘The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse’

CHICAGO – It was just a rumor yesterday but it was made official last night when Variety announced that Juan Antonio Bayona will direct the upcoming sequel to “Twilight” and “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon,” “The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse”. The third film in the Stephenie Meyer series will star Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and more.

There were rumors last month that Drew Barrymore might be tapped to direct the third film in Stephenie Meyer and Summit Entertainment’s “The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse,” but Variety reported last night that the Spanish director of “The Orphanage,” Juan Antonio Bayona, a protege of Guillermo Del Toro, will be the man to take on the third film in the “Twilight” franchise.

“The Twilight Saga’s New Moon,” the second film based on Stephenie Meyer’s book called just “New Moon,” starts shooting soon and will be wrapping post-production when Summit wants “Eclipse” to go before the cameras for a Summer 2010 release. So, Chris Weitz, the director replacing Catherine Hardwicke on the franchise, will be replaced himself by Bayona making it three directors in the franchise.

Bayona directed the amazing “The Orphanage” and is currently signed on for his English language debut, a thriller called “Hater,” but that will very likely be delayed now that he’s become a part of one of the biggest franchises in the world.

Stephenie Meyer’s Eclipse
Image credit: Summit

“Twilight,” which stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Ashley Greene and Taylor Lautner from director Catherine Hardwicke, has grossed $178 million domestically. This has put the “New Moon” sequel, now called “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon” into production immediately and has spawned a series of casting rumors. Other books in the Stephenie Meyer series include “Eclipse” and “Breaking Dawn”. “New Moon” will open on November 20th, 2009 with “Eclipse” landing in theaters just seven months later on June 30th, 2010.

Read about Dakota Fanning casting in “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”.
Read about DVD release parties for “Twilight”.
Read about Drew Barrymore directing “The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse”.
Win a walk-on part in “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”.
Read about Bronson Pelletier casting in “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”.
Read about the release date of “The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse”.
Read about the new name and logo for “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon”.
Read about why Catherine Hardwicke left the “Twilight” franchise.
Read our story about AnnaLynne McCord auditioning for “New Moon”.
Read our story about Dakota Fanning talking about “New Moon”.
Read our story about the open casting call for “New Moon”.
Read our story about Lucy Hale auditioning for “New Moon”.
See our 2009 Summit release slideshow with “New Moon”.
See our high-quality, 28-image “Twilight” slideshow.

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com