David Slade Announced as Director of ‘The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse’

CHICAGO – A director has been announced for the sequel to “Twilight [14]” and “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon [15],” as Summit Entertainment made it official today that “30 Days of Night [16]” helmer David Slade [5] would take the director’s chair on “The Twilight Saga’s Eclipse, [12]” already scheduled for release on June 30th, 2010.

Previous rumors about Juan Antonio Bayona (“The Orphanage”) or even Drew Barrymore [17] directing the third film based on the books in Stephenie Meyer’s series were officially put to rest today with an official Summit release.

Stephenie Meyer herself release a quote, saying, “I am thrilled that David Slade will be directing ECLIPSE. He’s a visionary filmmaker who has so much to offer this franchise. From the beginning, we’ve been blessed with wonderful directorial talent for the Twilight Saga, and I’m so happy that ECLIPSE will be carrying on with that tradition.”

Erik Feig, Summit’s President of Production, said, “Stephenie Meyer’s ECLIPSE is a muscular, rich, vivid book and we at Summit looked long and hard for a director who could do it justice. We believe we have found that talent in David Slade, a director who has been able to create complex, visually arresting worlds. We cannot wait to see the ECLIPSE he brings to life and brings to the fans eagerly awaiting its arrival in summer of 2010.”

David Slade directed “Hard Candy” with Patrick Wilson and Ellen Page and another kind of vampire flick, “30 Days of Night” with Josh Hartnett.

The official synopsis from Summit: “In ECLIPSE, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.”

Stephenie Meyer’s Eclipse
Image credit: Summit

Chris Weitz is currently directing “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon” starring Robert Pattinson [8], Kristen Stewart [7], Taylor Lautner [11], Ashley Greene [18], Dakota Fanning [19], and Michael Sheen [20].

“Twilight,” which stars Kristen Stewart [7], Robert Pattinson [8], Ashley Greene [18] and Taylor Lautner from director Catherine Hardwicke, has grossed $178 million domestically. This has put the “New Moon” and “Eclipse” sequels into production immediately. The fourth book, “Breaking Dawn,” is sure to follow soon.