Image Credit: Amanda Edwards/WireImage.com It’s the worst-kept secret in Hollywood, but at least now we finally know it’s true. Dreamgirls director Bill Condon has signed on to direct Breaking Dawn, the final chapter in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series. Summit Entertainment made the announcement today, though they declined to reveal whether or not the final book will be broken into one or two films. Said the press release, “Bringing Stephenie Meyer’s Breaking Dawn to the screen requires a graceful and intelligent hand and we believe Bill Condon is exactly the right steward, having shown equal and abundant talents of immense creativity and subtle sensitivity,” said Erik Feig, President of Production and Acquisitions, for Summit Entertainment.
Sources tell EW.com that it will most likely be two movies, though none of the lead actors’ deals are complete, and the extra cash they want for the fifth movie may still be an issue. Also up in the air: will Breaking Dawn be in 3-D? It’s clear the studio wants this massive moneymaker in theaters as quickly as possible. While the 3-D would add to the cost of the productions, more crucially it would add to the time needed to finish the films. It’s also likely that Breaking Dawn will begin shooting this fall in Vancouver, and, assuming the actors’ deals can be made for a fifth film, both movies will be shot at the same time.
Condon, who has spent the most recent part of his career writing and directing prestige pictures such as the musical Dreamgirls, Kinsey, and Gods and Monsters, first toiled in the world of thrillers and horror flicks. His directorial debut was the Southern Gothic mystery Sister, Sister, followed by the Candyman sequel, Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh. But with Gods and Monsters, Condon abandoned the lower-rent genre, receiving an Academy Award for the film’s best adapted screenplay. He was nominated for the prize again for his adaptation of Chicago. Most recently Condon produced the 2009 Academy Awards telecast along with Laurence Mark.
Said Condon in the release, “I’m very excited to get the chance to bring the climax of this saga to life on-screen. As fans of the series know, this is a one-of-a-kind book – and we’re hoping to create an equally unique cinematic experience.”
For more on Bill Condon’s Breaking Dawn:
Summit looking at Academy Award-nominated directors for Breaking Dawn
I swear to God I thought this title said Bill Clinton. Haha.
Anyways, good choice, movie will probably still suck though.
is it so difficult for you haters to go away. two movies from twilight came out and you say it still sucks then stop watching it stop commenting on anything related to twilight .stop making announces geez there are so many articles in ew why out of everything you decide to choose something that sucks sometimes you guys amuse me i swear calling twilight fans obbessed but you haters are the most obssesed people.shame on you all shame.
I like the Twilight books(SM signed one of my books), I saw the last two movies and came up with two words, It.Sucked.
I am allowed to have my own opinion. I could elaborate, but I didn’t feel that necessary.
Learn to use proper grammar, please. It’s painful reading your post.
And where did I call Twilight fans anything? Digging too deep there, kid.
God, I cannot believe I replied to that. Worse, I cannot believe I clicked on this article again.
She has every right to express her opinion, even if it conflicts with yours. This forum is not made for only those who support Twilight, it is there for ANYONE to express their opinion. Steph clicked on the article because she probably enjoyed the books, and was wondering if there was a chance the next movies would be worth watching.
They didn’t suck, in my opinion, but I can see why some might think so. Things are twisted around and omitted in the movies. Some things in the movies never happened in the books and much content from the books is absent in the movies, though that’s understandable and to be expected. They absolutely do not compare with the books, but I enjoy them anyway!
I’m with Steph. Fan of the books. Last two movies: B-O-R-I-N-G! Will still watch the future movies, though, with the hopes that they will improve to be the romantic deep-fried cheese, covered in gooey caramel, that they are meant to be.
Grow the eff up. Some hate this crap and have every right to their opinions. SHAME on you for thinking otherwise.
Why are you guys arguing about this for the millionth time? Let’s move on please.
I’m with Heather. Can anything new really be said by either side of this debate?
I liked the twilight series until the last book. Eclipse was easily my favorite. The movies were entertaining, but not masterpieces by any stretch. I’m actually looking forward to seeing Eclipse.
The novel Breaking Dawn was a steaming pile of crap. I hope that Bill Condon can do something to improve upon the source material. I will watch it when it comes out on video just out of morbid curiousity. Steph is right, its going to suck.
So it’s official—I’ll be skipping Breaking Dawn too. I loved TWILIGHT because of how Catherine Hardwicke directed it. I thought New Moon was awful, the worst movie I’ve ever seen in my life. The trailers for Eclipse are even worse than New Moon, with the silly wigs and ridiculous make-up so I’m passing on Eclipse as well. I read the books because of Hardwicke’s TWILIGHT. Now I’ll just be content with my TWILIGHT DVD, the brilliant Carter Burwell score and the books. Breaking Dawn is a definite pass. The Twilight film Saga begins and ends for me with TWILIGHT. Question: Mr. Condon is a song and dance man, “Gods and Monsters” was about a gay man, so he can relate to a teenage girl and vampires because. . . . . . . . . . ?
If this were a Twilight forum or a website just for Twilight, I’d understand why you would be annoyed with people hating on Twilight. However, this site is for anyone, and so if someone dislikes something, they have every right to be here. And honestly, why should you care? If you love something, you shouldn’t really care if someone hates on it or not.
I know nothing about the book series but just the movies the themselves were mediocre to bad IMO. BAdly paced, badly shot for sure but again I am not the target audience (dude in his 30′s) but even people who loved the books were split on the quality of the film adaptions. Let’s face it, other than LOTR, not many books get translated to the big screen with a high degree of quality.
I have to admit that I was a “hater” I couldn’t even sit through the first movie. The second one was good and the third one was okay. I decided to read the books and I have to say being 27 years old and liking these books I was kind of ashamed but there you have it I absolutely loved them. I was even a True Blood fan and read all those books and after reading the twilight books I was so dissapointed with the “mature” vampire novels. Twighlight books were very well written and the movies don’t dissapoint when it comes to the accuracy of the books. To all you haters out there read the books and come to the dark side.:)
They should have gone with John Waters.
They should have gone with Catherine Hardwicke!!!!!
LOL! I think that made my day!
HAHA…i actually thought it said Bill Compton…as in True Blood. Way to keep the vamp family close-knit!
i love the books.
i wrote them so obviously. Doesn’t matter who loves or hates them i still have crazy devoted fans ;D
I am a devoted fan of the books & enjoy the movies as well. People need to understand the movies would be too long if everything remained. I always am interested how you decide what to keep & what to condense.
What the eff? This poses a very valid question. Which is gayer: Dreamgirls or The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. You decide!
you are just pathetic i guess your mother did not breastfeed you very well great actors were in dreamgirls and it won a lot of prestigous awards if that’s what been gay is all about then good see twiligt at the oscars next year.fool born by fols.
Oh honey no… just no.
Are you kidding me? Grow up. Breastfeeding now determines whether someone has valid opinions now? Wow…just wow… And a bit offensive for mothers out there.
angel5
you are doing the Twilight saga no justice by posting retarded messages with poor grammar and spelling. Shut the hell up!!
The books were amazing… the movies are pretty good. The acting is spot-on when compared to how the character is written. And Im sick of the comments about Breaking Dawn being SOOOOO controversial!! So Bella got pregnant and chose to keep it… big freaking deal. I am pro-choice and have no problem with it!!! Yea, she does seem a little needy and dependent on Edward… IT’S A LOVE STORY!! and it’s FICTION!!!! Team Twilight!!!
Love it or hate it, you are still reading articles about Twilight and are so passionate about it you are compelled to comment…
Neither. It’s “Gods and Monsters.” And “angel5″? Try and develop a sense of humor when you work on those typing and spelling skills.
whatever atleast you got the message.
Twilight…definitely. But WHY is this so funny to me. Seriously, Summit is making a huge profit off these sucky movies and the director for Dreamgirls is the they can do. He’s a talented guy when it comes to a certain genre, but I have a feeling no one else was willing to taint their name by directing that mess. Regardless of what they try to do, Breaking Dawn is going to suck. It’s an absolute fact.
Totally agree, Celia.
I hope they don’t do it in 3D. I personally am not a fan of it.
This series has no business being in 3D. The studios need to get off that bandwagon and keep the 3D for movies that actually lend themselves to the technology. Do we need to see Bella’s baby bump growing right in front of our faces or Edward sparkle on Isle Esmee as though he were right next to us??? I say NOT!
He seems like a good choice. I hope SM allows some changes to BD but I know the lead actors are going to make it very special. I’m looking forward to it.
This is exciting news! I am quite anxious to see what he does with this very difficult material to adapt to screen. I for on think that they should do it 3-d, how else are they going to showcase how Bella sees the world through her new Vampire vision.
Just dont split da movie..and no 3D..plz???
Da rest i can take it
It’s a 760-something page book. What do you suggest they cut out? They need to break it in 2 movies to cover it all.
And the word is THE not DA
Yeah? Why not make in into a super-long movie? LFTR did it and people still went to see it. Two movies? By the time part II comes out, it will be totally irrelevant.
Not if they do it the way they did Kill Bill…volume 1 and 2.
I love the Twilight Saga, but Breaking Dawn was my least favorite book. They could easily make it into one film.
If they want to stay true to the book…HAHAHA…sorry, I couldn’t pull that off. They have never stayed true to the book. Maybe if they cut out the Jacob part of the book. I really don’t care if they put the part in about when he takes the car and goes searching for someone. I honestly wish they left his whole perspective out of the book altogether. But the movie does need to be at the LEAST
Got cut off…
But the movie does need to be at the LEAST 2 1/2 hrs long.
“It’s a 760-something page book.”
You’re confusing “length” with “depth.” It can be 760+ pages. Doesn’t mean much of import actually happens in those pages. It’s long because Meyer goes on and on and her editor fell asleep at the wheel.
It’s 800 pages of nothing. They can definitely cut it down. Les Miserables is a brilliant novel with over 1200 pages and they made it into one 2 and 1/2 hour film. They can definitely cut that twilight mess down to 2 hours. If they do make two films, then it’s all about money.
To start they can reduce the two or three chapters that Bella whines about her upcoming marriage. The sex scene does need to be added instead of fading to black. That’ll take 20 seconds. They can still make it PG-13. The childbirth scene doesn’t need to be retold again from Bella’s POV. They can cut out the fountains of blood that she vomits if they want a PG-13 Rating. The chapter about her burning can be reduced to about 5 seconds. The entire chapter where Bella admires her new vampire body in the mirror can be reduced to a 2 second shot. The endless chapters where the “Vampires of the world” introduce themselves to Renessme can be reduced. Need I go on?
Fernanda is further proof that this garbage only appeals to those who seriously lack a sense of intellect… and brains
No, Fernanda is just proof that even in the 7th richest country in the world with all our advantages, some people slip through the cracks of the educational system.
It’s okay if people like Twilight. You don’t need to be mean.
Um, care to explain why you’re on this page in the first place, then? Just to make a few comments about your superior intellect perhaps? Feeling the need to assert that fact, are we?
No I agree with Turbo, I find it difficult to believe people find this crap interesting, and maybe we are here because this $hit doesnt go away. Its a stupid fad that needs to die. 2 films wow, Summit really is a Warner Bros wannabe.
I’m really nervous. Bill Condon please don’t mess this one up. Breaking Dawn was an awesome book. Yes alot is riding on you, us Twihard fans want to save the best for last. I’d like to go home after Breaking Dawn feeling joyous! Team Edward.
Seriously. These are the “Twilight” books, not celebrated works of literature that will survive the ages.
that book was the worst out of the saga! God can only hope Bill Condon can make it watchable!
Is this going to be “Breaking Dawn: The Musical”?? Seriously, hiring a director known for two big musical movies seems like an odd choice for the Twilight Saga, particularly the last book which is quite dark.
niki1684: You apparently haven’t seen “Candyman II” or “Gods and Monsters.” If you want dark, you aren’t going to get much darker than those two. The question is, how will Condon tackle some of the most ridiculous nonsense in modern fiction, like the creepy “imprinting” stuff that happens between the werewolf and the baby?
Brett, I will admit that I have never seen either movie. I actually thought that “Chicago” and “Dreamgirls” were both done well– I’m just saying he seems like a slightly odd choice to direct this project. And “Twilight” might not be a “celebrated” piece of literature, but you cannot deny the fanbase and the impact it has had on pop culture. So I think that it’s a valid concern to hope that it’s done well.
Yeah, impact on pop culture that is called= an annoying fad.
Yes, it’s going to be a musical. Baby Renesmee chews her way out of Bella’s stomach and immediately bursts into song.
Ha, ha, ha! Oh, I hope so! I’m thinking of Spaceballs right now.
Um, hi Ambie. My favorite Twilight book is Breaking Dawn. (wink wink)
Oh, I was already on to you…I was a huge fan of the thing on Sesame street where they have the two silhouettes that mouth word fragments…oh, never mind.
Yay!
Bahahahahahaha. The superhuman teeth baby has a plus after all.
By the way, I would be fine with you taking over the screenwriting duties for BD. It would be like handing a mangled kitten over to Dr. Nick Riviera. He’s not a vet, not even a good doctor, but it could be saved in a hilarious way.
The story has more potential being a gory comedy than anything else.
I would love to rewrite BD! It would focus almost exclusively on Alice’s global travels in search of other vampire clans.
Perfect! I would also like to see that from the air, Esme’s island is shaped like an inappropriate object (your choice)…also, I pictured the maid at the island being like Zoila from Flipping Out…and would like the bruises on KStew to be real. lol
Oh, and did you happen to see New Moon yet?
Not yet. I swear I’m going to… it’s on PPV now, and I keep meaning to watch it.
3D????? ARE THEY CRAZY!!!! THEY BETTER NOT.
I’m laughing just thinking about it. Robet Patterson’s constipated face in 3D. *rofl*
See that idiot edward’s lack of personality (and talent) shine on 3D.. this movie will suck much like the previous ones on 3D or 2D or smell-o-vision… horrible, trashy franchise appealing to the poor simpletons that lack any brain activity
As one of those “poor simpletons”, I suggest you go read some other sophisticated publication since pop culture and EW are probably too lowbrow for your refined tastes.
And why don’t you go to the kitchen and make me a god damn sandwich?!
Waves proud Poor Simpleton flag.
Turbo- will you marry me? Im kidding but I think we share a mind. And no you idiots Im not him/her/it.
finally news on the final chapter… can’t see 3-D working for this story. Very interested in the direction of the Birth of Rennesme,the honeymoon scenes and Jacob’s imprinting.
finally news on the final chapter… can’t see 3-D working for this story. Very interested in the direction of the Birth of Reneesme,the honeymoon scenes and Jacob’s imprinting.
I’ve read all the books so I will see the movie, but I hope it’s not all 3D. Ugh. It’s just so gimmicky…and it gives me headaches.
interesting that the director says he’s excited to “bring the climax of the saga to the screen.” but unfortunately (SPOILER ALERT!!), we all know that there is no climax to the book, nothing happens, they all stand around and talk. that’s it. no fighting or battles of any kind.
it’s almost as if Harry and Lord Voldemort get together and decide that their whole conflict has been a big misunderstanding, and then shake hands and go to Starbucks to have coffee together.
LOL. That’s how I felt about the book, and I was a fan of the other three. I was kind of disappointed that Meyer was not brave enough to (SPOILER)kill off any central characters. Or have a battle. Or a fight. Or an arm wrestle. Anything.
I actually felt that she could’ve ended the book right after the arm wrestling match with Emmett. It’s like she did intend that to be the end and someone said “No, it must be longer than the rest”. I do like how she ended it…and I mean the last 2 pages.
I completely agree w/ u!!! someone in that book needed to die! i personally would have liked her to kill of any of the cullens minus Rosalie and Emmett(they were intertaining!!) but no not even a frickin battle scene!!!!!!!
Marie, that was priceless. Thanks for giving me a good laugh.
I really hope they don’t split the film. If they could get the rest of the books into one film, I’m sure they could do the same with Breaking Dawn. While Jacob’s abs in 3D could be interesting, I think the movie could do without the gimmick.