In an unusual move considering the resounding success of the big-screen adaptation of “Twilight”, Summit Entertainment has not brought director Catherine Hardwicke back to direct the “Twilight” sequel “New Moon”.

Variety is reporting that Summit wants “New Moon”, which will require extensive CGI work, to have a late 2009 or 2010 release date, and Hardwicke wanted more prep time before beginnings shooting on it. “New Moon”, the second book in the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer, deals more with werewolves that the vampiric Cullen clan of the first book, and thus would require more special effects to bring the lycanthropic characters to life on the big screen.

Hardwicke apparently received a script for “New Moon” the weekend “Twilight” hit theaters, and she proposed needing more time. However, Summit announced it was going ahead with “New Moon” on November 22, but with no director attached. Negotiations between them and Hardwick lasted two weeks before she formally passed on the film Saturday.

Hardwicke said “I am sorry that due to timing I will not have the opportunity to direct ‘New Moon,’ […] Directing ‘Twilight’ has been one of the great experiences of my life, and I am grateful to the fans for their passionate support of the film. I wish everyone at Summit the best with the sequel — it is a great story.”

Stay tuned to Shockya.com for more Twilight news.

By Costa Koutsoutis, (Source: Variety)