Melissa Rosenberg, screenwriter of 'Twilight,' 'New Moon,' 'Eclipse,' describes adaptation process

Melissa Rosenberg, screenwriter of Twilight and The Twilight Saga: New Moon, and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, gave an interview recently on MakingOf.com where she talked about her creative process in adapting the scripts from the popular series of novels by Stephenie Meyer. Starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, the second film has just wrapped and the third is in pre-production.

The films have kept Ms. Rosenberg busy. She describes her week as writing five days on the television series, Dexter, and two days on the Twilight scripts, and she's been working without a vacation for many months now. Not that she's complaining. Working for 17 years in the movie and television industry, she knows she has an opportunity that does not come around very often.

In the beginning, writing Twilight, she was protective of her creative process and consulted with Meyer only as needed. As Meyer likewise saw what Rosenberg did with Twilight, the collaboration between the two writers opened up more, until by the third novel, Eclipse, Rosenberg was showing Meyer her outline even as she began the adaptation.

Meyer has shared more of her notes with Rosenberg as well about the mythology of the world she created. This has been helpful, Rosenberg says, because of the books so far, Eclipse has proven to be the most challenging to adapt. Filmmakers plan to open the perspective a bit from the novel so that audiences do not always see the scenes purely from Bella's point-of-view. Having more details about the fantasy world Meyer created that are not even in the books gives filmmakers more authentic material to use in their adaptation.

Ms. Rosenberg says, "Working on the Twilight Saga has been one of the great experiences of my career."

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Peter Facinelli talks New Moon, Eclipse, Nurse Jackie, and Eclipse

Though recovering from a bit of a cold, this self-proclaimed Twilight fan and film enthusiast was earnest and open about his work.

After a couple of weeks of constant Twittering, and the widely known win in a bet with Rob DeFranco, Facinelli is still working out the details on how to handle the prize. He is still "just trying to figure out what to do for the day [June 30th] because I want to try and do some kind of charity event. I thought it might be a fun way to actually make it into something meaningful."

While the day might already include the very charitable donation of Facinelli's own actor's chair to one lucky Twilight fan/Twitter follower, Rob DeFranco's Hollywood Boulevard jig might not be all Twilight fans will see on June 30th, it seems.

I asked Facinelli if he was surprised at how much the bet took off after his initial few Twitters. Said he, "Yeah, I mean, Rob came over to my house and he saw the back of my chair and was like 'Can I have that?' And I said, 'No,' but he knows I like a good bet, so he said, 'I'll bet you for it.' We kind of came up with this bet. It's not like we sat around and planned some crazy thing, and then all of a sudden we threw it on the internet, and it kind of exploded. I know a lot of people had fun with it, and I was happy that people were. It was a very entertaining week."

Also fun this week was the third episode of Facinelli's newest show Nurse Jackie on Showtime - whose pilot broke Showtime's own records and led to an immediate announcement of a second season. Said Facinelli about this news, he's "pretty excited. I love working with Edie Falco. She's an amazing actress, and a really sweet person. I mean, whenever you get to do more of what you love to do, it's always great. When we did Twilight, I think our main goal was to hopefully be able to do more and we are."

Indeed, they are. Having just wrapped The Twilight Saga: New Moon with director Chris Weitz, Facinelli is to be back on the Twilight set once again - this time with David Slade for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. I asked Facinelli whether he was surprised at all that his work in Twilight has potentially led to a four-part film series.

"Well," he said, "when we first shot it, you know, I think no one really knew that it was going to be this big. I think we were just hoping to satisfy the fans of the books, and we knew there was this underground following. Again, no one really knew it was going to snowball into this huge thing... kind of like my Twitter bet... No one knew it was going to snowball into that huge thing either."

Facinelli also enjoyed his work on Nurse Jackie with director Steve Buscemi. "I've been a fan of Steve Buscemi's for the longest time, so to be able to be directed by him was a real treat. I almost worked on a movie with him ... and I was up for the lead role, and I ended up not being able to do it. And to work with him years later was pretty cool .. It was called Animal Factory." He didn't end up on the picture, he says, because "[Buscemi] went younger with the role. It was between me and Edward Furlong, and he went with Eddie ... So, I was kind of bummed, but later on I got to work with him on Nurse Jackie, and we were excited to work together."

Steve Buscemi and Edie Falco aren't the only long-timer HBO/Showtime series alums, and this fact might be one that intimidates some, but Facinelli has a different perspective. "I've worked with a lot of great actors, so I don't get intimidated by [them.] I get excited to work with great actors."

When asked if there were any particular actors that he'd like to work with, Facinelli admitted "that's a long list." "I always wished I worked with Paul," Facinelli said, "Paul Newman, but I never got the chance. Robert Redford would be my second. You know, I love Al Pacino and [Robert] DeNiro... they're great. I think my favorite would be ... if I had to pick ... Sean Penn. I'd love to work with Sean Penn. Either way. As a director (with him directing me) or acting alongside him. I'm a huge fan of his and the work he's done."

Nurse Jackie, since being pitted for a second season reprisal, will begin filming this fall. Also filming this fall is The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, but Peter Facinelli is confident that both can be done harmoniously. According to him, "They're starting in October some time, and I think we're starting Eclipse in August, so if everything stays according to plan it'll be close, but we'll be able to squeeze both. The good news is that I'm not in every scene in Eclipse and I'm not in every scene in Nurse Jackie, so I'm sure I'll be able to do both."

Speaking of Eclipse, I asked Facinelli if there was anything about director David Slade that he looked forward to working with him for. Said he, "I've heard he's very intense, and I heard he's a great actor's director, so I'm excited to work with him."

The changed directorial hands, too, seems to be exciting to Facinelli. "Whenever I've done television (Six Feet Under, or Damages, or Nurse Jackie) we worked with different directors each episode," Facinelli said, "so, it makes it interesting because they come in and it's the same material, but you get a different perspective on it. And that's how it's been on this one too. Chris Weitz has brought his vision; Catherine Hardwicke had hers. And, now, we get to see what David Slade's going to bring ... It's exciting."

Though only contracted for Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse, Facinelli also intends to reprise his role as Dr. Carlisle Cullen in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, if it comes to fruition. Says he, "I'm a big fan of the series. I wish there were more!"

In our discussions here, I told him, we've bounced around the idea of a post-Breaking Dawn television series, and the witty Facinelli is on board for that as well, he says, "as long as it's called the Carlisle Chronicles." If only, huh?

Other projects in the works for Facinelli include, potentially, Thicker, which Facinelli tells us is based on a "short movie" of the same name. "I'm hoping they can get the money and shoot that because it's a fun little short ... Leslie Zemeckis (who is Robert Zemeckis' wife) co-stars and is producing it. And Christopher Lloyd."

Also in the works is one of Facinelli's own near and dear projects called Loosies. About the film, Facinelli says, "it's about a pick-pocket in New York, who lives this carefree lifestyle, kind of like the Steve McQueen type, and he ends up getting this girl pregnant, and his whole life gets thrown upside-down. He has to grow up and take some responsibility for his life, basically." The script, he says, was his own penmanship, and he "was supposed to try and squeeze [it] in this summer, but the window got too small between going back to work on Eclipse, so I'm going to have to push that 'til next year."

While another project may also be in the works for Facinelli, he says that if not, he will plan to attend Comic Con this year. Says he, "it sounds like fun. I didn't go last year..."

Twilight zone

Cue the hyperventilating, we have breaking Twilight news: "Rob's not pregnant!"

This with a laugh from Montreal actress Rachelle Lefevre, well aware of the absurdity -- and intensity -- of the rumours surrounding the vampire book-to-film franchise and its breakout star, Robert Pattinson, the angular heartthrob with the bed-head and British accent.

Lefevre, who plays vicious blood-sucker Victoria in the adaptations of Stephenie Meyer's bestsellers, is in Toronto shooting a movie opposite Kevin Spacey and prepping to present at Sunday's MuchMusic Video Awards.

But the topic of The Twilight Saga: New Moon is never far behind.

The Vancouver-shot sequel to last year's hit (worldwide gross: $382 million) opens Nov. 20, complicating the romance between star-crossed sex-abstainers vampire Edward Cullen (Pattinson) and mortal Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) with new characters (Frost/Nixon's Michael Sheen and Dakota Fanning are introduced as members of the Volturi, an ancient vampire coven), a love triangle (created by returning Taylor Lautner as werewolf Jacob) and converging enemies.

At the centre of the pop-culture tsunami are Stewart and Pattinson, magazine cover mainstays whose real-life rapport (romance or no romance?) at times eclipses their fictional one.

"They have fantastic chemistry together on-screen and you know that's the kind of thing that becomes the source of rumours," Lefevre says.

"People want them to be together. People would love to hear that -- that they fell in love on the set and so they read that into everything they see.

"But all I've seen are two people who have beautiful chemistry on-screen and are bonded.

"Kristen, before Twilight, already had a huge resume and had worked with some heavy-hitters, but she had also flown under the radar.

"And Rob, he was in Harry Potter (and the Goblet of Fire), so he had some experience with fame, but it was nothing remotely like this. So when two people go through that experience together -- the fandom and everything -- it's going to bond them."

How is Pattinson adjusting to life under the microscope?

"He's got a really good sense of humour. I've seen him frazzled, but when there were eight paparazzi chasing you and it's just you, it can be scary."

Almost as frightening perhaps as switching directors mid-stream between sequels.

Usually when a film succeeds, a studio clings to its creator.

But in the case of New Moon, Catherine Hardwicke is out, replaced by Chris Weitz (The Golden Compass).

"It could have been bad," Lefevre admits.

"But I think because Harry Potter went through it first to their benefit, we were like, 'The Potter kids went through a director shift and they were okay, so we'll be okay too.'

"And we were. Chris came in with such a clear idea of what the movie was. And he paid respect to what had come before -- so it was kind of seamless."

A third transition will happen later this year in Vancouver when another director, David Slade (30 Days of Night), takes the reins of the next sequel Eclipse.

"It's perfect timing for David because Eclipse is darker than the other two. There's more action.

"It's not a horror movie, but it is darker."

And just as the series evolves, so does Lefevre's role as Victoria seeks to avenge the death of her lover, James.

"In the first movie, because I didn't have as much screen time, I wanted to be very clear.

"I wanted to convey energy and be very present but also very playful. And that's because (Victoria) enjoyed stalking Bella with James.

NOT A GAME

"But when James is killed, it becomes about exacting revenge, which comes from a totally different place. It's not just a game anymore."

Also beefed up -- literally and figuratively -- is Lautner.

The 17-year-old actor, who played Jacob in Twilight, nearly lost the part because producers worried he was too young and skinny to embody the tougher, more mature Jacob of New Moon.

But Lautner "completely won that role," Lefevre says.

"The day Twilight wrapped, even before we knew there was going to be New Moon, Taylor started working out like an animal.

"He put on 30 pounds of muscle ... I saw some of his dailies and he has a presence that, if you were to watch Twilight and New Moon back to back, he looks like he's aged five years."

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David Slade Talks 'Twilight: Eclipse'

David Slade talks with FearNet about Eclipse.


Twilight: New Moon isn’t even in theatres yet, but we are already gearing up for the third film, Twilight: Eclipse. We crashed a David Slade signing at Dark Delicacies in Burbank, California, where he was signing a new line of toys based on 30 Days of Night. “One of the cool things about shooting a movie based on a book is that it is not a film the studio can really change,” he tells us. “Not that the studio would want to change anything, of course!” David promises that they will stick close to the book – there is no sense in changing the story at all.' Hit the jump for more.

What will differ about Slade’s Twilight? “I don’t really know. We haven’t even started shooting yet.” While the director says he has a basic idea of what he wants to do with it, he is more concerned with telling a good story than being “different.” “It is darker, and there is a lot more action than the previous two,” he admits. “The third book is from Bella’s point of view, but the film will be more objective.” And just how will he do that? “We are going to focus on the origin stories of several characters, like Jacob, and show how Bella will decide between Edward and Jacob.”

David didn’t read the books until the studio was interested in bringing him in – then he did his homework. “It was tough for a middle-aged man to get into,” he admits, “since they are written for 15-year-old girls. But once I got past that, I found them to be quite good books, and a great story.” He is especially excited about the great script from Dexter writer/producer Melissa Rosenberg. Right now, they are still in preproduction, with plans to start shooting later in the year.

When asked about his list of genre credits (including 30 Days of Night, Hard Candy, and mind-bending music videos for bands such as Aphex Twin, Stone Temple Pilots, and System of a Down), Slade admits to being a genre fan. “How many other chances do you get to create your own world from scratch?” He also tells us: “When I first got cable, I watched FEARnet constantly. I really loved Midnight Meat Train. I wanted to direct it – the studio sent me the script – but in the end I was a little too late.” While nothing post-Eclipse is written in blood, he is looking at a few other projects, all in the horror/fantasty/sci-fi genre.

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The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Online Open Call Casting

Summit is having an open call casting for Leah and Seth Clearwater. All entries are due by June 30th.

casting for the roles of:

Seth Clearwater :
(Male - Age 15) is a Quileute Indian and the youngest member of the La Push wolf Pack. More...

Leah Clearwater :
(Female - Age 19) is a Quileute Indian and the only female member of the La Push wolf Pack. More...

Auditions are due by June 30, 2009.

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Ashley Greene in Nylon Magazine

Nylon Magazine had a quick talk with Ashley Greene.



On Alice Cullen: "The Happiest, Perkiest, Cutest girl you'd never expect.”

On moving to Los Angeles as a high school senior: "You're 17. There are no adults. It's L.A. And so I went through this stage where I would just go out, not be responsible, not focus on work or class, and my management was like, 'Listen, you could go either way. You could be this person - I won't name names - a reality show actress. Or you could go this way - award-winning actress.' That was a real shock.”

On the Twilight cast: "We get along really well," she says of her co-stars, who are all confirmed through at least a third movie. "And thank God! Can you imagine going back over and over if we didn't?"

On Rob Pattinson’s fame: "Oh God. Poor Rob is already a Beatle. His whole life is documented. If he picks his nose, it's all over the Internet. He's just done for. I think he's kinda freakin' out, like, 'What the fuck is going on?'"

But she gets chased by paparazzi, too: "You don't want to have your picture taken when you're coming out of a club all wasted. It's tough… I get a call from my mom in the morning, and she says, 'So I see you went out again last night.' I might as well have a GPS chip in my skin, but no, I have the Internet.”
--INTERVIEW BY CHRIS WALLACE

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Robert Pattinson on Most Handsome Man Poll

Vanity Fair is having a poll on who you think is the most handsome man in the world, and Robert Pattinson made the list, so go vote for him here.

Eclipse: Casting for Third Twilight Flick Underway

PictureGroup/MTV

Casting for the third Twilight movie has begun.

We got our hands on a casting notice for at least three characters in Eclipse.

Find out just what director David Slade is looking for. However, we must warn you that there are a few spoilers…

Riley "is a handsome, blond, clean-cut college boy who falls victim to Victoria," the notice reads. He's in his early to mid 20s and "plays an integral role in Victoria's attempt to murder Bella Swan."

There are two more members of the Quileute tribe and La Push wolf pack in Eclipse. Like New Moon, they are looking for Native American or First Nations actors to fill the roles.

"Seth Clearwater is a "tall, gangly-limbed boy with a huge, happy grin," the notice reads. "Seth idolizes Jacob."

Seth's big sister is 19-year-old Leah Clearwater and the only female member of La Push: "She is tall and slender with beautiful skin and short cropped black hair. She would be considered gorgeous if not for the perpetual scowl she carries due to a broken heart and her anger issues."

Now that Eclipse is up and running, what about the fourth, Breaking Dawn? As much as everyone in the cast wants it to happen, it still sounds like nothing's official…yet.

"I'm signed for three," Peter Facinelli told me at the MTV Movie Awards. "I'm hoping that they make four. I mean, if New Moon does well, I think they'll make four."

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have said they want to make Breaking Dawn, too.

When asked about four, Ashley Greene said, "I can't even think that far in advance."

Or maybe she can.

"They're just going to have to make a Twilight Five," she cracked. "I will be forever known as a Twilight girl."

Greene and Kellan Lutz said they'll start shooting Eclipse in August.

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The Twilight Scoop on the Casting Saga for Eclipse

On the Twilight heels of the official New Moon trailer that made its debut at the MTV Movie Awards, word comes down the online Twilight Saga pike that indicates the casting process for the third Twilight film, Eclipse, is underway. Well, the initial stages of the casting process as a recent release suggests. Although many Twilight reports have it that casting for Eclipse is actually underway, the details of the casting notice that we saw on the Acting 411 blog indicates that casting directors for Eclipse have indeed been hired but it's "likely" that the official auditions for Eclipse won't begin until early July 2009, with rehearsals getting underway in August and filming in September, well ahead of the June 30, 2010 theatrical release date.

Interestingly, the Twilight casting post goes on to state that the Quileute tribe and La Push wolves from New Moon will be beefed up with additional actors for the third Twilight film following New Moon, revealing that the Eclipse casting directors will only be considering Native American or First Nation only to join Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner.

As for the three Eclipse roles up for Twilight Saga grabs in the casting notice, here's the lowdown:

Leah Clearwater: Female, 19 years of age. Seth's big sister, and the only female member of La Push wolf pack: "She is tall and slender with beautiful skin and short cropped black hair. She would be considered gorgeous if not for the perpetual scowl she carries due to a broken heart and her anger issues."

Seth Clearwater: Male, 15-16 years of age is a "tall, gangly-limbed boy with a huge, happy grin, Seth idolizes Jacob." Black hair, lean muscle type, think swimmer type body.

Riley: Male 19-21. Good looking, blond, clean-cut, muscular college guy who falls victim to Victoria. He's in his early to mid 20s and Riley was a newborn that was created by Victoria to act as the leader of her recently formed newborn army. He accompanies Victoria in her attempt to murder Bella Swan.

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Kristen Stewart Photoshoot

Bauer-Griffin took beautiful pictures of Kristen at the Santa Monica Pier

Fresh on the heels of her spectacular MTV Awards appearance, Kristen Stewart wowed us yet again at a super-sexy photoshoot in Santa Monica today.

The sultry Twilight babe was wearing an ankle brace and some very risque thigh-highs.

Megan Fox, eat your heart out baby...

To view more of Kristen Stewart photo shoots click here.

‘Eclipse’ Movie Casting Has Started

According to my sources, the third installment of the Stephanie Meyer’s Book series,”Twilight Saga” franchise, “Eclipse” is now casting for three new characters which include : vampire Riley and his two siblings, Seth and Leah Clearwater. “Eclipse” is supposed to start filming in August of 2009.

The character, Riley is supposed to be a handsome blonde, clean-cut college boy who falls victim to the vampire named, Victoria.He is in his mid 20s and is supposed to be an integral part in Victoria’s attempt to murder Bella Swan. The producers are looking for Native American or First Nation actors to play the Clearwater siblings Seth and Leah .

The character of Seth is supposed to idolize Jacob Black played by Taylor Lautner. His physical characteristics are that he’s a tall,gangly limbed boy with a huge,happy grin. Then Leah is supposed to be about 19 years old,and is the only female member of the “Wolf Pack”. Her physical description,is that she is tall and slender with beautiful skin and short cropped black hair. She would be considered gorgeous if not for the perpetual scowl she carries due to a broken heart and anger issues.

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart will of course return to play Bella Swan and Edward Cullen in this third installment. David Slade who worked on the movie “30 Days of Night” will be the director for “Eclipse”.

If you’d like to send in your own audition tape,you can send it to yourhere.mtv.com.

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