The owners of theaters playing “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and stores carrying merchandising from the PG-13 sequel are overjoyed these days.
No wonder. They’re being flooded with cash due to the gothic teen romance series.
In just two weeks, the Associated Press reported, “New Moon” generated a global gross of $473.7 million and is still going strong.
Two other groups – bookstore managers and newsstand operators – also are overjoyed by the success of “New Moon,” starring Kristen Stewart, 19, as the human Bella Swan, Robert Pattinson, 23, as the vampire Edward Cullen, and Taylor Lautner, 17, as the werewolf Jacob Black.
Publishers are flooding bookstores and newsstands with slick magazines. they abound with images of the stars in particular and the cast in general and some offer interviews with Stewart, Pattinson and Lautner.
Here are some of the quotes from the three stars:
(1) “It’s a severely emotional movie,” Stewart says of “New Moon.” “That’s the one big difference. This movie’s not about discovery or falling in love. She’s like a manic depressive, basically.” (Source: Teen Sensations Presents: “Twilight”)
(2) “Jodie Foster is my acting role model, because she’s not just an actress. She’s a director, she’s a producer, she’s a writer. She’s conquered the business. you don’t see her much in the press. She’s very, very well-respected, very professional. She’s awesome.” (Source: Fantasy Films: “New Moon”)
(1) “There’s a mystery about Edward Cullen – a sense of danger. He’s someone who’s in a lot of ways willing to throw everything away all the time. I think that’s always attractive.” (Source: Vampires: “New Moon” Insider Special)
(2) The British actor, who fronted a rap trio at age 14, was influenced by the musical artist Van Morrison, whose hits include “Moondance” and “Brown Eyed Girl.” “I’d love to play Van Morrison (in a film).” (Source: Up Close Life story: Robert Pattinson)
(1) “I started hitting the gym and did all I needed to do,” Lautner says of his effort to put on 30 pounds and exercise to achieve abs of steel for the film. (Source: Teen Dream “New Moon” Secrets)
(2) “I thought they did a pretty good job with the wolf transformation,” says Lautner, who also described the sequel as “the beginning of a love triangle.” “I’m excited that there are werewolves involved now because the werewolves definitely step up the action in the movie. There’s twice as much action in this movie (‘New Moon’) than there was before.” (Source: Teen Sensations Presents: “Twilight”)
He’s creating scary fun
Gifted filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”) has created Disney Double dare you for Walt Disney Studios.
The label will present animated movies filled with safe scares for children of all ages. Del Toro originated the concept and design and, despite his busy schedule, will direct some titles.
Del Toro is preparing to direct a two-part version of “The Hobbit.” The highly awaited production is being produced by Peter Jackson, the New Zealand filmmaker behind the fabulously successful “Lord of the Rings” franchise.
?????????????????? Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush, who appeared together in “Shakespeare in love,” will co-star in “The King’s Speech.”
The fact-based tale follows the man who would become King George VI, the father of the current Queen, Elizabeth II. The monarch is plagued by a nervous stammer and considered by some unfit to be the king.
Rush will portray the unorthodox speech therapist whose techniques help the monarch to find his voice and keep the throne. Tom Hooper (HBO’s “John Adams”) will direct “The King’s Speech.”
? Zach Galifianakis, who became an overnight favorite thanks to his scene-stealing role in “The Hangover,” will join Steve Carell and Paul Rudd in “Dinner for Schmucks.”
According to Film Journal International, Jay Roach (the “Austin Powers” franchise) will direct the comedy about snobby friends who each invites the most pathetic person he or she knows to a dinner party so the group can ridicule the individual.
Set for release next July, “Dinner for Schmucks” is based on the French comedy “The Dinner Game.”
? Screen favorite Nicolas Cage will star in “Kick-Ass,” an adaptation of the graphic novel that’s controversial due to the bloody violence carried out by tweens.
British filmmaker Matthew Vaughn (“Layer Cage”) directed and co-wrote the offbeat picture. Christopher Mintz-Plasse (“Superbad”) and Chloe Moretz (“The Eye”) co-star.