CHICAGO – Vanessa Hudgens [1], the star of the massively successful “High School Musical [2]” franchise, has reportedly auditioned for a key role in “New Moon [3],” the upcoming sequel to “Twilight [4]”.
 Photo credit: Dave Bjerke/NBC |
Ashley Greene [5], a cast member from “Twilight” who will also appear in “New Moon,” revealed to MTV on Monday that Vanessa Hudgens has tried out for the role of werewolf Leah Clearwater, a major character from Stephenie Meyer’s second book in her insanely popular book franchise.
Greene was speaking to the music network after the 66th-annual Golden Globe Awards [6] in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Sunday night and revealed that the singing superstar auditioned for the role, even noting, “I think she’d be great.”
“New Moon” is slated for release on Nov. 20, 2009 from Summit Entertainment even though it hasn’t started filming or, clearly, even casting yet. The “Twilight” sequel will be directed by Chris Weitz [7] and star Robert Pattinson [8], Kristen Stewart [9], Taylor Lautner [10], and, maybe, Vanessa Hudgens.
This is the second piece of “New Moon” casting news in just the last week, as rumors of Lautner not reprising his role as Jacob Black [11] caused quite a stir, especially on our slideshow for Summit’s 2009 release slate [12].
Director Chris Weitz revealed on Stephenie Meyer [13]’s web site last week that Lautner would reprise the role, saying, “The characters in Stephenie’s books go through extraordinary changes of circumstance and also appearance; so it is not surprising that there has been speculation about whether the same actor would portray a character who changes in so many surprising ways throughout the series.
But it was my first instinct that Taylor was, is, and should be Jacob, and that the books would be best served by the actor who is emotionally right for the part. I think that fans of ‘Twilight’ the book and the movie will be surprised by the Jacob Black that Taylor will bring to the screen in ‘New Moon;’ and I’m looking forward to working with him and the rest of the cast in realizing the film.”
Vanessa Hudgens
Photo credit: John Bramley ©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
The 20-year-old Hudgens has appeared in all three “High School Musical” movies, “Thunderbirds,” and episodes of “Drake & Josh” and “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody”. She’ll next be seen in “Bandslam” later this year. Ironically, Vanessa Hudgens made her debut in “Thirteen,” directed by Catherine Hardwicke, the woman behind the helm for “Twilight” but not returning for “New Moon”.
“Twilight”, starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner, from director Catherine Hardwicke, has grossed $178 million domestically, putting the sequel, “New Moon,” into production immediately. Other books in the Stephenie Meyer series include “Eclipse” and “Breaking Dawn”.
8:52 p.m. update on Jan. 13, 2009: This report has been officially denied by Summit Entertainment. Read this news update here. [14]
Read our Robert Pattinson story on “Parts Per Billion” and “New Moon”. [15]See our 2009 Summit release slideshow with “New Moon”. [16]See our high-quality, 28-image “Twilight” slideshow. [17]Read our “Twilight” opening-weekend box-office story. [18]Read our “Twilight” sequel story prior to opening weekend. [19]Read our story about Taylor Lautner’s casting in “New Moon”. [20] [21] | By BRIAN TALLERICO [22] |