Add this page to:

Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Newsvine Reddit Google Yahoo Delicious Stumbleupon

Known for:	About a Boy, Antz, American Pie
Birthday:	1970, New York, New York, USA

'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' director Chris Weitz sits down with "The Insider" to tell all about his experience making the film, and also shed light on a bond between Kristen Stewart and Rob Pattinson. He tells "The Insider" that after Stewart and Pattinson's fame exploded following 2008's 'Twilight,' they perhaps understand each other. "I think that they're the only two who know what it's like to go through what they're going through as people right now, to be at the receiving end of that much attention," he says, continuing, "And their characters in the movie are the only two who know what's going on, the rest of the world is kind of unaware of this forbidden romance between human and a vampire, so I suppose there's kind of an analogy there, where there's a conspiracy, you know, going on." Weitz was brought in to direct 'New Moon' after Catherine Hardwicke had directed 'Twilight,' the first film in the franchise, and tells "The Insider" about how he first approached the established cast. "I had to do it with a bit of humility," he says, "Because you know, I hadn't assembled them, they were already there, and so my sort of first job was to listen to them, see how they felt about their characters, how they felt about the book, and to kind of get into a dialogue with them." He continues, "So I never see it as, you know ordering people around, or telling them how to do things. I just sort of trust that these guys know their characters better than I do and just try to give them the space to do their thing." While Weitz didn't cast the characters for the first 'Twilight' film, he was able to cast several for 'New Moon' who will continue in the franchise, including Dakota Fanning, who plays an evil vampire. "I think she is an extraordinary actor and if anyone was going to infuse it with tremendous amount of life, it was gonna be her," he explains. "And it was, I think, fun for her because she's always playing very sweet characters and this is the most evil, sadistic, powerful character in the movie in a way." 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' premieres Friday, November 20.

[Read full story on The Insider]
There's good news for 'Twilight' fans wanting up-to-the minute news about their favorite franchise. The filmmakers from Summit Entertainment have launched a 'Twilight Saga' Twitter page featuring tweets from 'New Moon' director Chris Weitz. Today, a tweet revealed that 'New Moon,' which hits theaters on November 20, will be two hours and ten minutes long. The first tweet from the account read, "From Chris Weitz -- Hi! Welcome to the official New Moon twitter account. This is my first ever tweet so be gentle with me." The Twitter page, which includes press photos featuring Rob Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, also revealed, "Next week, look out for the first official scene on Entertainment Tonight & iTunes!"

[Read full story on The Insider]
The first single for 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' soundtrack has officially been confirmed, according to 'Twilight' author Stephenie Meyer's blog. Indie band Death Cab for Cutie -- fronted by Ben Gibbard, fiancee to actress Zooey Deschanel -- has written a song exclusively for the vampire sequel titled "Meet Me On the Equinox" and will debut their single live at the MTV VMA Awards on September 13, music Web site Pitchfork.com reports. Meyer's posted a statement from the Seattle based band on her blog describing the single: "We are very excited to be a part of this amazing series of novels set in our own backyard. It just seemed a perfect synergy that a band from the Northwest would create a song for a series of novels set in the Northwest. We wrote 'Meet Me On the Equinox' to reflect the celestial themes and motifs that run throughout the 'Twilight' series and we wanted to capture that desperate feeling of endings and beginnings that so strongly affect the main characters. This song marks the first attempt that Death Cab for Cutie has ever made at contributing new, unreleased material for a film and we are proud to be a part of the 'Twilight' legacy." According to Pitchfork, 'New Moon' director Chris Weitz has said Thom Yorke of Radiohead and Bon Iver have also written songs for the film's soundtrack. 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' is scheduled to hit theaters November 20.

[Read full story on The Insider]
As the countdown continues toward the premiere of the 'Twilight' sequel 'New Moon' in November, new photos from the highly anticipated film have been released. In one photo, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and hunky vamp Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) move in for a passionate kiss. Another still shows Bella with Laurent (Edi Gathegi), a former cohort of evil vampire James (Cam Gigandet). Plus, check out an image behind the scenes of the Chris Weitz-directed film, due out in theaters on November 20.

[Read full story on The Insider]
We're giving you a look at a just-released photo of the wolf pack in 'New Moon'! USA Today first posted the photo on their web site, along with an article that went into detail on the casting of the wolf pack. According to USA Today, 'New Moon' director Chris Weitz insisted on the actors' Native American ancestry. "They had to have papers that proved their heritage," he said. Weitz also insisted that the actors be in good shape, and be ok with filming almost in the buff in the chilly outdoors of Vancouver. "It's not pleasant for the actors," Weitz told USA Today. "But they have all been good-natured. They show up on location in drenching, cold rain, and I say, 'OK, off with the robes.' " Chaske Spencer, Bronson Pelletier, Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon and Tyson Houseman will join Taylor Lautner in the film's Quileute nation wolf pack. All of the new castmembers are of Native American or First Nations descent, hailing from the Lakota (Sioux), Cree-Metis, Purepecha (Tarasco), Hualapai and Cree nations respectively. The young men were cast by Rene Haynes who cast such films as 'Dances with Wolves' and 'Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.' In 'New Moon,' Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is faced with a separation from her one and only, vamp Edward Cullen (Rob Pattinson), and embarks on a new friendship with Jacob Black (Lautner), spending time with him on the La Push reservation, where she encounters his friends in the "wolf pack."

[Read full story on The Insider]
Another British actor has been cast in the 'Twilight' sequel 'New Moon' and "The Insider" has the details! 'New Moon' director Chris Weitz confirms to "The Insider" that Michael Sheen -- who recently played David Frost in 'Frost/Nixon' -- has joined the 'Twilight' series. British actor Jamie Campbell Bower, 20, revealed to BBC News last month that he too had been cast in the vampire sequel. "I doubt I'll get the same sort of adulation as Robert [Pattinson] -- but it's always nice when people recognize you for your work," he said of the opportunity. Aside from 'Frost/Nixon,' Sheen is best known for his role as British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the movie 'The Queen' starring Helen Mirren. He also starred alongside Kate Beckinsale in another vampire/werewolf series, 'Underworld.'

[Read full story on The Insider]
Ever wonder how the magical story behind Bella Swan and Edward Cullen's love came together for the big screen in 'Twilight'? You can have the juicy details soon!   Reuters reports that 'Twilight' director Catherine Hardwicke is set to release Twilight: Director's Notebook on March 17, a book that details how the hit vampire romance film was made. Fans can learn the scoop behind 'Twilight''s casting process, various shooting locations, wardrobe details, and see behind the scenes photos from the set, says Reuters. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers will reportedly release the book, which hits book stores days before the March 21 DVD release of 'Twilight.' Hardwicke will not direct 'Twilight''s highly-anticipated sequel, 'New Moon,' which will be helmed by Chris Weitz. 'New Moon' will hit theaters November 20.

[Read full story on The Insider]
A new report has the latest on Vanessa Hudgens and rumors that she will join the cast of 'Twilight' for the highly anticipated sequel, 'New Moon.' "I'm not sure about [final] casting but I had heard Vanessa Hudgens was going up for the part of Leah [Clearwater, a werewolf]," screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg told People at the 61st Annual Directors Guild of America Awards. "But at the moment, the part of Leah doesn't happen until the third movie." Melissa offered some other casting info, saying, Taylor Lautner will be back as Jacob Black. I can tell you the original cast will all be coming back. They're on set right now, in Vancouver! They're all up there prepping the movie to start shooting very soon." She's also thrilled with new director Chris Weitz, saying 'The Golden Compass' "was a beautiful-looking film ... I think it's wonderful we have someone who has worked with CGI animals ... that will be a big part of New Moon. I'm delighted we have someone who's so expert at that."

[Read full story on The Insider]
He played Jacob Black in ‘Twilight,’ but is Taylor Lautner returning for the film’s sequel, ‘New Moon’? A decision has been reached! ‘New Moon’ director Chris Weitz has announced on ‘Twilight’ author Stephenie Meyer’s Web site that Lautner will be back as Jacob Black. “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,” Weitz blogs. Meyer adds: “I'm truly thrilled that Taylor was the one who proved to the director, to Summit [Entertainment], and to me that he is the best possible Jacob we could have. And I'm very much looking forward to seeing what he's going to bring to Jacob's character this year.” For his part, Taylor has been bulking up for the role, adding pounds of muscle to his frame in hopes of meeting the physical requirements of the part.

[Read full story on The Insider]
Stephenie Meyer, author of the popular vampire series "Twilight," is doing her best to reassure fans that the sequel 'New Moon,' is in good hands with the film's new director.   The best-selling author addressed worried fans on her website Monday, and urged them to put their faith in 'New Moon' director, Chris Weitz. "I'm excited to work with Chris and I think he brings a lot to the table," Stephanie writes on her website. "I'm really looking forward to seeing his vision for 'New Moon.'" Stephenie also responds to the concern of many fans that under new direction the big screen version of the sequel would not stay true to the novel's story line, and that the second film would be entirely different from the wildly successful 'Twilight.' "He is also very aware of you, the fans, and wants to keep you all extremely happy," she says. "Torches and pitchforks are not going to be necessary." Check out StephenieMeyer.com to from the author and a letter to 'Twilight' fans from 'New Moon' director Chris Weitz.

[Read full story on The Insider]
Moviemaker Chris Weitz has promised to stay true to the original story while shooting the sequel to hit vampire film Twilight - because he doesn't want to enrage loyal fans.


As the fan frenzy continues to surround the vampire romance 'Twilight,' its highly-anticipated sequel 'New Moon' may be hitting theaters sooner than you think! Entertainment Weekly reports that Summit Entertainment has tentatively set Nov. 20, 2009, as the release date for the follow-up film to 'Twilight.' The magazine reports that production begins in mid-March. Earlier this week, "The Insider" confirmed that 'Twilight' director Catherine Hardwicke would not be returning for the sequel. According to Entertainment Weekly, film maker Chris Weitz may be in talks to direct 'New Moon.'

[Read full story on The Insider]
A young girl ventures into a perilous parallel universe to rescue her best friend and fight the forces of darkness in director Chris Weitz's adaptation of the first installment of author Philip Pullman's best-selling fantasy trilogy. Screen newcomer Dakota Blue Richards stars as young heroine Lyra Belacqua, Casino Royale star Daniel Craig appears a... Continue Summary

Pictures / Trailer / More
The director of forthcoming fantasy blockbuster THE GOLDEN COMPASS insists movie audiences are tired of special effects in films.Chris Weitz, who is bringing the first part of the acclaimed His Dark Materials trilogy by author Philip Pullman to the big screen later this year (07), admits movie fans are bored of big screen blockbusters, and
THE GOLDEN COMPASS director CHRIS WEITZ conceded he was preparing for a religious backlash to his movie among American evangelical Christian groups.The film, adapted from author PHILIP PULLMAN’s The Northern Lights, contains much of the writer’s antagonism towards organised religion.But despite fears of its reception in the U.S., Weitz insists he was right to leave

Site: perfectpeople.net ? Site type: multicelebrity site:

Description: Perfect People feature on Chris Weitz that includes pics, pictures, biography, video, related news, vital stats, commentary, and cool facts. » perfectpeople.net: Chris Weitz

Site: tvguide.com ? Site type: multicelebrity site:

Description: Chris Weitz Episodes, TV Listings, News, Photos and More » tvguide.com: Chris Weitz

Site: Imdb.com ? Site type: multicelebrity site:

Description: Celebrity Main Details » imdb.com: Chris Weitz