‘Breaking Dawn’ Production Schedule Confirmed

18 Aug 2010

Over the past few days, rumors about Breaking Dawn’s production have picked up as filming on the final installment of The Twilight Saga nears.

While some speculation about casting — and alleged “delays” — is far from true, a reported timetable for work on the films is accurate.

A source close to the production confirms to Gossip Cop that filming will begin in November (as we reported last week) and extend until roughly March 15.

Although the expansive nature of Bill Condon’s two-parter (and size of his cast) means there could be minor schedule tweaks, the timetable is set.

Video: Melissa Rosenberg Talks About Breaking Dawn Scenes

19 Jul 2010

Twilight News: Breaking Dawn Officially Split in Two!

11 Jun 2010

The least confidential deal in Hollywood has finally gone public.

Summit Entertainment announced Friday that yes, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn will be split into two separate films, with part one slated for a Nov. 18, 2011, release.

And good news: Whoever doesn't die in Eclipse is coming back for Breaking Dawn, even those hard-to-pin-down Cullens, Ashley Greene and Kellan Lutz.

Saga scribe Melissa Rosenberg is currently hard at work converting the 756-page conclusion of Stephenie Meyer's four-novel magnum opus into two screenplays, both of which will be directed by Bill Condon, who signed on for one knowing he'd most likely end up doing two.

In the meantime, even though Eclipse has been all over the Internet in bits and pieces, the whole thing from start to finish finally barrels into theaters on June 30.

Credit: E! Online

Confirmed: 'Breaking Dawn' Will Be Released On Nov. 18, 2011

05 May 2010

HitFix has reported that it is officially confirmed that 'Breaking Dawn' will be released to the nation on November 18, 2011:

A Summit Entertainment spokesperson has confirmed to HitFix that "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn" will open nationwide on Nov. 18, 2011. It's still officially unknown if "Dawn" will be broken up into one or, as rumored, two films. Stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner are all expected to return.

Directed by Oscar-winner Bill Condon, the fourth book in Stephenie Meyer's popular series chronicles Bella's most advanced initiation into the vampire world to date, but is also seen by many as the most difficult to adapt of all the best-selling novels. Melissa Rosenberg, who adapted the first two novels, would continue in that role for "Dawn."

"Breaking Dawn" will face off against "Happy Feet 2" and the Hugh Jackman Sci-Fi thriller "Real Steel." Even with the lucrative Thanksgiving weekend the following week, expect at least one of these films to move their release date to avoid going head-to-head with the "Twilight" franchise.

The third movie in the series, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," will debut in theaters on June 30 nationwide and in IMAX.

A Note To Fans From Bill Condon

02 May 2010

On the Facebook page for The Twilight Saga, a note has been posted that Bill Condon wrote, assuring fans of his direction for 'Breaking Dawn':

Greetings Twihards, Twifans, Twilight Moms, Team Edward, Team Jacob and Team Switzerland,

I just want to say hello to all of you and let you know that I'm stoked to be getting underway on the adventure of making BREAKING DAWN. As you've probably heard, I've been given a very warm welcome by Stephenie and Team Summit - who are super-focused, as you know, on getting these movies right.

I'm pretty busy bringing myself up to speed on what you already know by heart: I've read BREAKING DAWN twice, rewatched Catherine's and Chris's movies 2-3 times each, have all four CDs playing in my car, and have Catherine's notebook, Mark Cotta Vaz's companion books, and even Volume 1 of the graphic novel here on my desk - a corner of my office is starting to look like Hot Topic. I realize that this barely qualifies me for "newborn" status in the universe you've been living inside for a few years now, but a guy's gotta start somewhere.

Like many of you, I've always been slightly obsessed with vampires, dating back to the prime-time series DARK SHADOWS, which I followed avidly as a kid. But that alone hadn't been enough to get me interested in making a vampire movie, even though my early screenwriting and directing efforts grew out of a great love for horror movies and thrillers. Since making GODS AND MONSTERS thirteen years ago, however, I've been yearning for a return to a story with Gothic overtones.

The wonderful world that Stephenie has created has obviously struck a chord with you, and I don't think it's difficult to see why. For me, her characters are simultaneously timeless, yet very modern. Rooted in a beautiful, real landscape with a great sense of place, Bella, Edward, Jacob, and the rest of the Forks/La Push menagerie, experience emotions that are primal, and universal: desire, despair, jealousy - and it all comes to fruition in BREAKING DAWN. This is a final chapter in the best sense; not just wide in scope and scale, but emotionally charged and intense throughout.

I'm a huge admirer of the already-iconic Kristen, Robert, and Taylor, and wanted to be the one to work with them as they face the challenges of bringing your beloved characters to the end of their journeys. Really, what could be more fun than that?

Please feel free to ask questions in the comments section below, and I'll do my best to answer them. I hope that this will be the first of many occasions I'll get to check in with you as we set to work bringing BREAKING DAWN to the screen. I am excited and grateful to have all of you alongside me for my TWILIGHT journey.

All best,

Bill Condon

P.S. Answer #1: No, there won't be any musical numbers

What kind of 'Breaking Dawn' will Bill Condon make?

30 Apr 2010

Summit confirmed this morning that, as the rumor mill in Hollywood has been churning for weeks, "Dreamgirls" director Bill Condon will come on to direct the fourth installment in the "Twilight" franchise, no doubt prompting an unlikely spike in "Gods & Monsters" DVD sales among teenage girls. (Condon's name was first reported as a "Breaking Dawn" candidate back in March by Entertainment Weekly.)

Condon has generally been thought of as the more logical choice, at least compared to some of the other directors under consideration, like Sofia Coppola and Stephen Daldry.

In making the choice, Summit, which has gone for a different type of director for each film in the franchise, clearly wanted someone with more Oscar chops (Condon's won one and been nominated for a second). That's both because the "Breaking Dawn" material is a little more complicated than the previous books and because with the franchise already an unstoppable juggernaut, they can afford to take a risk, at least a small one.

Credit: Los Angeles Times

Confirmed: Oscar-winner Bill Condon directing 'The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn'

28 Apr 2010

As reported earlier, Summit Entertainment has found its next "Twilight" filmmaker and now formally locked up Oscar-winner Bill Condon to direct "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn." While none of the stars have signed deals yet, the entire cast including Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner are expected to return. This is possibly one reason the studio has not confirmed whether, as rumored, there will be one or two "Breaking Dawn" films.

“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," said Bill Condon.

The fourth book in Stephenie Meyer's popular series chronicles Bella's most advanced initiation into the vampire world to date, but is also seen by many as the most difficult to adapt of all the best-selling novels. Melissa Rosenberg, who adapted the first two novels, would continue in that role for "Dawn." Stephenie Meyer has already met with Condon to discuss the project. She noted in the release, "I'm so thrilled that Bill wants to work with us. I think he's going to be a great fit, and I'm excited to see what he does with the material."

Credit: HitFix