EW.com's 15 New Faces in 'New Moon'

Please see the link below to view picture and profiles of 15 exciting new additions to the cast of New Moon.

EW.com's 15 New Faces in New Moon

Some you've already heard about. But this is a tidy compilation of who's who so far. I am very please by the list. I'm more excited about the movie now than before! I know you will be too. I believe a few things are going on here.

1. Chris Weitz must have some connections and fine reputation in Hollywood to score some of the names he has for New Moon.

2. The powerful success of Twilight has paved the way for New Moon in that the saga has drawn the attention of especially talented actors.

3. There were smart decisions on the part of director and casting agent as the La Push gang and other Quileute characters are comprised of mostly unknown Native American and First Nation actors. Majorly cool.

The mixture of respected, known actors and relatively unknown talent will make for a kick ass movie going experience. The motley crew that comprises the Volturi couldn't be more impressive.

I'm just jazzed about the whole thing, if you can't tell. Additions that I am most eagerly awaiting are:

1. Michael Sheen as Aros. Michael in day to day life is a regular looking sort. But he has that special 'Gary Oldman' quality. He is a chameleon. He is able to morph himself both physically and inherently into whatever character he's portraying. He's very intuitive as an actor, and that makes him stunning to watch. You'll love him, I promise.


2. Graham Greene as Quileute tribal leader Harry Clearwater. He's perfect! Who doesn't love this guy? He's got the most expressive face. He looks introspective, wise and kind. Remember him as Kicking Bird in Dances With Wolves? I loved him in that. He was also in Die Hard: With A Vengeance. ...I loved him in that too. He's always a great choice. If for no other reason, I'd watch this movie to see him!


3. Cameron Bright signed on to play Jane's twin Alec. You may not recognize his name immediately but you'll recognize his face. He usually plays characters that are disturbing (Birth), scary (Godsend) or other-worldly (Ultraviolet). He has an ethereal quality, especially for someone so young. I think he'll do wonderful as Alec. He has all the right stuff.


4. Tinsel Korey as Emily, beautiful but scarred fiancee of Sam Uley. Emily is definitely one of the more intriguing non-central characters of New Moon. I admit I've never heard of Tinsel Korey before but that is okay, it's good to see new faces in movies. It's like meeting the character for the first time and not being distracted because you know the actor from previous works. Also, Tinsel Korey is just plain beautiful. She is exactly as I imagined Emily. She's perfect.


I am pleased by the cast over all. I just wanted to point out a few actors that I'm ecstatic over and that got me looking forward to New Moon more than I could have ever hoped to.

New Moon is going to rock our socks.

Michael Sheen Joins the New Moon Cast

Gah! Oh Man!! I'm really on board now. One of my favorite actors Michael Sheen, recently starred as Lucian in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, has been chosen to play Aros, one of the Volturri leaders. Yay!

I can't wait!!

Pictured: Michael Sheen as Lucian in Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Link to story

Wolf Pack Photo

Here's a look at the updated wolf pack in New Moon:

Paul (Alex Meraz), Sam and Embry (Kiowa Gordon) of New Moon.

New Moon Set Photo of Rob

Just a quick note to tell you to go google New Moon set photos. I just did and I can tell you already that Edward is going to break twice as many hearts this time around as he did in Twilight. One major contributor to that fact is the completely different (and subtle) direction the vampire make up has taken.

One thing that irked me about Twilight was the pan make-up, crusty fake look of the vampires faces. Instead of looking simply pale, the Cullens looked dead, or ready for Broadway. I never understood why, since other vampire movies don't seem to have the trouble making their stars have a believable undead pallor.

I'm liking Chris Weitz more every day. He's at least perfected the vamp look. And it makes Edward look so much more genuine and lovely.

Sigh, like I needed any more reason to yearn for him...

Stephen King on Stephenie Meyer!

Calm down Twilighters, it's not as dirty as it sounds. But it is pretty bad. During a recent interview, epic popular writer Stephen King was asked his opinion of current chart topping writers, in particular J. K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer. In Stephen King's eloquent style, he surmised that "Stephenie Meyer can’t write worth a darn. She’s not very good.”

Now Steve, you are breaking my heart. I only hope that if I am ever lucky enough to have anything published that my style either appeals to you or you never read it. I can only imagine what Stephenie thinks of your comments. Although, I doubt she puts as much weight on your meandering talky-talk as I do. For I've grown up loving and respecting your work, and have been inspired by it. However, I will tell you, dear Mr. King, that I have never once read one of your books that I felt I couldn't put down (Although Cell came close). As is the case with Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga. And not one book in particular, take your pick; Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse or Breaking Dawn. I had to have more, couldn't stop! Her writing is so addictive that as I neared the end of the saga, I (like a LOT of Twilighters) become melancholy at the thought of having no more of Stephenie's wonderful words to consume.

I am surprised that Steven King would be so hasty to write off Meyer's writing ability with such finality. Especially since he was considered a hack by many critics for a long time before finally gaining the respect he deserves. I would think he'd show some empathy for new writers, having been denied it himself.

Why is he saying that Stephenie's not a very good writer? I have my suspicions. I wonder if in his old age he's become a snobby elitist who sets high atop his mountain of money and picks apart the efforts of others writers. Maybe when he says she's not a good writer, he's referring to technical aspects of her writing. You know, the stuff that no one cares about except other elitist writers. For example, he may be saying that there are grammatical errors. Or he may be focusing on sentence structure - Meyer's does have an annoying habit of incessantly using em dashes throughout her prose - or maybe even the meandering uncohesiveness of plot development.

What King is overlooking is that 17 million (and counting) readers can't all be wrong. Meyer's writing has merit if so many people get enjoyment from it time and time again. Her writing evokes such loyalty that her fans are somewhat, um, fanatical. And we're not just talking about 'the girls' Stephen mentioned. There are boys, Twilight Moms, twenty somethings, thirty somethings; heck there's 40, 50, 60+ somethings out there pining over Edward, Jacob and the world of Forks, WA.

So, in summation, I have to ask: Is Stephen King saying that all of us who love the prose of a writer he thinks "can’t write worth a darn" are literary cretins? That's kind of how I feel; like my love is baseless in his eyes.

Not cool, Steve, not cool.

Jackson Rathbone on Criminal Minds 'Conflicted'

Hi Twilighters! I was watching the Criminal Minds episode entitled 'Conflicted' Wednesday and boy was I surprised when I saw Jackson Rathbone! Criminal Minds is an excellent show that portrays a group of highly intelligent FBI agents who use profiling to identify serial killer 'unsubs' and catch them.

Jackson gave a stellar performance as Adam Jackson. He truly was excellent. I'm not just saying that as a biased Twilight fan. I was impressed and my first thought was that he really should have had more lines in Twilight (like in the book, hello). His character in CM, Adam Jackson, is a worker in a hotel in Fort Lauderdale during spring break 2009. Someone starts killing off hunky college dudes in the hotel where Adam works. The team travels south to figure it out.

Here's a link to the full episode in case you missed it!! Criminal Minds: Conflicted

Here's an interview with Jackson on the set of Criminal Minds. He talks about how he got the part, why he likes the show and other interesting tidbits. But invariably, the conversation gets turned toward talk of Twilight :)

Just Some Thoughts

As I read Twilight some more, I realized how much I liked the Cullen house, and how very different the movie house was. I remember thinking that the movie house was very cold feeling and sort of corporate like. I didn't love it at all. Some houses have such character that they become a staple of what makes a movie work. I love the old colonial feel of the house in the book. If you want to see an example of what I mean, watch the movie Just Like Heaven (one of my all time faves!). Reese Witherspoon's character's apartment building in that film was one of my favorite things about the flick.

I was also reading where Edward explains Carlisle's early life after becoming a vampire. About how he never fed on humans and he is so pure of heart that it took Edward 10 years to decide to go against him and try hunting humans. I got to thinking, I'd really like to read a story about Carlisle 'falling off the wagon'. I'd really just like to see him get nasty, take out a few humans. Then deal with the aftermath and his remorse and so on.. Would be interesting I believe.

I'd also like to see a story about Alice and Jasper. To me, next to Bella and Edward, these two are the most interesting. I love Jasper, it's no secret and I love Alice too (albeit for different reasons). Jasper is one hot Southern gent of a vamp and I'd like all the gory details of their relationship and how they came together the first time when Alice was waiting on him. Also, maybe Alice's history behind being turned could be expounded upon. One thing's for sure, I'd rather read about anyone other than that freaky relationship brewing between Jacob and Renesmee. I don't care to go there ever. I couldn't care less to ever hear that tale. It's creepy to me. I love Jacob dearly and I'd like to see him with someone else. Maybe he meets a lady a little older than him, like late twenties.. I'll have to give it some thought to figure out what kind of woman would be suitable for my Jacob.

That's all for now, I'll yak at you later my fellow Twilighters!!

Caius Role Has Been Cast

Just read that the role of Caius will be played by an English actor named Jamie Campbell-Bower. I confess I've never heard of him but as soon as I saw his picture, I liked him. He's got very alluring eyes, impish looking. But he really reminds me of Jackson Rathbone (Jasper Hale). But maybe I just need to see more pictures of him to get a feel for how he really looks.

One thing that bothers me a little is that he's only 20 years old. I've always felt the Volturri ring leaders were more mature than that. I know in vamp years they are way old but I just thought they lived to be quite a bit older in human years. Maybe I read it wrong. Or maybe they are sticking to casting super young actors to keep the youngsters interested. Either way, I'm okay with this choice. Keep up the good work!!

It was a Rainy Day in Forks Cambridge

Okay, so I'm treating this reading of Twilight like a new lover, taking it slow and easy. Enjoying every moment, feeling every sensation. I headed out to my car for lunch today and read a few pages of one of my favorite parts; the drive home from Port Angeles. When I got outside to my surprise it was raining, instead of the crappy snow that was predicted.

I am a lover of rain. I mean like, think of the person you know who really likes the rain. I'm ten times as bad as that guy (unless you know me, of course). Blame it on my Scottish roots, or my 'sunny' disposition :) or my preoccupation with all things goth. Any way you slice it, a storm cloud on the horizon will always bring a smile to my face.

I've always felt like when it's raining, there is a electric charge in the air. I feel like it's easier to breath. I just feel more alive and ...content. I have different feelings associated with different types of rainstorms. But more than anything I like a straight down, soaking, drenching, non-stop all day rain. Today's rain wasn't quite that good, but as seldom as we've been getting it lately, I'll take anything I can get (yet, another parallel to my sex life. Hardy har har.)

So I get out to the car and dive into my book. Here I am literarily and literally submerged in a rainy world. It makes it that much easier to live the story, to put myself in Bella's shoes. The temperature in the car was kind of on the cool side and that was a constant reminder of Edward's beautiful, frigid skin. The comparison coaxingly elicited thrilling shivers from me.

Needless to say, that half hour went by WAY to quickly. Call it a mini mental holiday. A moment in time immortalized in my mind as one perfect Twilight reading experience.

Nice Jacket

First New Moon Poster a Fake? Who Cares, it's Rob!

Don't know if this is real or not, but some sources are saying this is a preliminary poster put out by Summit Entertainment for New Moon. People who think it's a fake are saying that Edward would never go bare chested like in this poster. But I say he would (and does) when he very nearly walks into the center square to reveal himself in Italy.

This poster looks to me like it would be a scene from that part of the story, when Rob is in a shadowed alley in Volterra waiting to step out into the sunlight at 'high noon'.

******

Also read that Kristen Stewart stated in a recent interview that Summit Entertainment is planning to go ahead with film Breaking Dawn, as long as interest in the franchise remains.

Seems like a given.

A Little TWILIGHT Experiment...

Hiya! I've decided to conduct a little experiment. I haven't read any of the Twilight books since before Twilight the movie opened. And here lately I've genuinely been missing it; the words, the details of Forks, nuances of Edwards looks explained, all the stuff not included in the movie.

I got Twilight out last night, right before I went to bed. Understand, I have a cold right now and the pinnacle of feeling crappy was around 9 PM last night. So, I get Twilight out, and I read the prologue, planning to start the book the next day..

Then I go ahead and read the first page. I felt miserable but I just couldn't tear myself away from those alluring words. Before I knew it, I was 60 pages in. I barely was able to set it aside and finally succumb to the rest I needed.

So I guess that no matter how many times you read the books, the words and phrases so artfully strung together by Mrs. Meyer will always have an intoxicating pull on the readers.

I am glad it's been so long since I've read them though because the details are unfamiliar to me again. Oh sure I remember the story and my favorite parts, but all the details are new again. I love that, even though I'll never be able to experience it like the first time I read it.

I've noticed something after having seen Twilight the movie so many times. Now when I read anything in the book that is in the movie too, I keep picturing the scene in the movie. It's somewhat annoying to me! I loved how my imagination filled in the blanks and built all the minute substances and situations. I am trying hard to push those images out of my head. Because although I love the movie, it's Catherine Hardwicke's vision of Forks and how it all went down there, not mine. I want my details back.

I'll keep posting on things I notice. I'm curious to see if I'm so heatedly drawn back into Edward's world with wild abandon, totally forsaking my real life to stick my nose in a book. The fact that there is a (very real) chance that that may happen is a little bit scary. But honestly, it's more exciting than anything and I'm looking forward to it!

Bring on the achy yearning for that glittering vampire manboy!

Forgot one!

Imagine rolling over to this:
GOOD MORNING!!!!!!!

Don't you believe it, Twilighters!

What a sadistically cruel April Fool's joke! It's been circulating around the Internet on blogs and other sources that RPattz won't return to New Moon as Edward, instead to be replaced by (steady there, gag reflex) Zac Efron. I will spare you the rant on why I really can't stand this Zac Efron character.. (Focus, self) Okay. You may have read this, or varying stories about Rob doing a Houdini, but don't you believe it.

Rob isn't crazy enough to abandon his sweet gig and we love him for it. No matter what revolving door policy Summit Entertainment has for directors, or budget stinginess they may display, they ain't gonna mess with the smartest decision they've made in regards to bringing the saga to the screen. And that is the magic of casting Robert Pattinson as Edward. That right there is the cash cow. Any way you slice it, he's the draw. Tell me your heart didn't beat a little faster the first time his angelic visage graced the screen.

Sure I can't wait to see how Taylor Lautner looks after pumping iron like a maniac for 8 months and I especially wanna see what the Volturri turn out like but one thing is certain: I mostly cannot wait to get a glimpse of Edward again. There are lines uttered by Edward in the book that I've dreamed to hear spoken aloud. Sigh...

Now for you're pleasure (and mine), have a gander of RPattz in the April issue of GQ:

(Click on images for larger)

Okay, very nice...

Mmm, oh my!!


















Oh dear Lord, is it getting warm in here?!















Holy Schnikeys! I can't take this!




















Gah!!! I'm dead. I've died of sheer eye candy pleasure. RIP me.

The Welcome Mat For You

Hi all, was surfin' and found this. It made me think of you all!

Twilight, all mine!

Hi Twilighters. Did you all go out like good little obsessive fans and get your copy of the Twilight DVD? Me too!

I was really really lucky though. Because I have a friend (Peggy) who owns a school building. And in that school building is a projector and surround sound.

Well, the Saturday that Twilight came out on DVD, she invited me over to once again enjoy Twilight on the big screen. It was great! Like a private screening. The only thing that could have been better is if Rob had been there to hold me close during the scary parts. :D

We watch the special features included with the movie. We were in Twi-hard Heaven!

I've just gone out and got my copy of the movie. I know, I'm late. But better late than never. And even though I've seen the movie like, 5 (or is it 6?) times now, I am yet to get into my PJ's, snuggle up in my favorite chair, and devour every detail once again. This time, I'll pause on my favorite images (Edward), rewind my favorite scenes (baseball field, bedroom) and finally just absorb the movie on a level that wasn't possible in the theater. Then, I'll retire it to the shelf where it'll await the arrival of it's counterparts.

We were all anxiously awaiting the DVD release of Twilight, and now that we've gotten that, we can turn our attention to anxiously awaiting the movie release of New Moon and more Edward.

Sorry about the Infrequent Posts

Hi Twilight lovers. I wanted to say 'sorry' for not posting frequently about our favorite town and most beloved characters. I promise to try to keep the posts coming more regularly, but also to ask that if I don't, you will bear with me. I am attempting to write a graphic novel and to do this properly, I'm going to have to put the time into it.

I want to see this through. I have a desire to do this thing. The visions and story are firmly in my mind. All I have to do is work, work, work.

Please wish me well on my literary journey. Believe me when I say, last week I knew pretty much nothing about graphic novels. This week, well let's just say I'm gettin' there.

If you are interested, in the future I may post about my trials and triumphs during my exercise into the realm of professional writing. I will post to my other blog: This is a Blog, if you'd like to stop by and see how it's going. Please drop me a line any time!

The Volturi and Other Thoughts

I admit it, Taylor is going to be a hot Jacob. So there! It's out there! Now, on to other meandering musings...

The New Moon release date is fastly approaching. Before we know it, the day will be upon us! My only concern is that all us die hard Twi-hards are then going to be without a tether of hope and anticipation to hold on to. Right now, just like most of last fall, we have a goal to focus on. We are happily waiting for that day when we will be out in droves to see the next movie adaptation in the saga.

I really hope, that when New Moon opens, we hear that they are immediately rolling right into filming for Eclipse. That way, we can all reset our odometers (so to speak) and again have something to cling to.

Scratch that last paragraph, I just read that the Eclipse start date for shooting will actually overlap New Moon's. Because of this, Chris Weitz will not direct Eclipse as production won't be finished soon enough on New Moon to allow him to direct the next in the saga. So, as in the style of the Harry Potter franchise, we'll see a separate director for each Twilight flick, at least on the 1st three. Who even knows if Breaking Dawn will ever make it to the silver screen. I read a quote by Stephenie Meyer herself that said it would be very difficult to customize Breaking Dawn for the screen, and therefore pretty unlikely that it'll occur at all.

So, one good thing about the rush to get the movies made is that Chris Weitz won't be directing. The down side though is that continuity and the feel of the movies may not jive. You know, with three different directors bringing to life three different visions, it could feel like a patchwork story of sorts.

I really hope Chris Weitz does the book justice. To me, New Moon's movie adaptation is just as important as Twilight's because this contains the definitive description of the werewolves and more importantly, the Volturi. So, how ever Weitz envisions the werewolves look, transitions and behaviors AND the look, feel and ambiance surrounding the Volturri is going to be the blue print for future movies. So, he'd better get that all very right. The next director for Eclipse will basically be forced to stick to Weitz's interpretation or else it will be confusing changing such memorable elements from New Moon. An example of what I mean is that if Weitz were to poorly cast the parts for the Volturi and the next director realizes this and tries to compensate by recasting, that would sorely screw up continuity and certainly annoy fans. Hopefully Weitz will not make such mistakes.

I mentioned that because it is seriously important to me that he get the Volturi right. I never envisioned the perfect actors to cast for the parts. But I do have specific feelings attached to those characters. For instance, when the Volturi first comes onto screen, this should have a profound effect on the audience. It should be both a terrifying and beautiful moment. As a viewer, I want not to be able to tear my eyes away from them but at the same time feel compelled to look away, like at the scene of a crime. It should instantly send chills down my spine. I want the entrance to be so glorious that I don't know where to put my eyes first. There should be thought put into every detail, down to the shoes on there feet, if they are wearing shoes. Clothing wise, Guillermo Del Toro's brand of fantasy/hellish attire comes to mind. The immaculate wardrobe worn by characters in Pans Labyrinth and Hellboy 2: The Golden Army seem right for Aro, Caius and Marcus.

I want to see piping and brocade and ancient, delicate fabrics. I want them to look as though they've been entombed and might fall to ash at any moment. The Volturi's appearance should belie the strength that is hidden by their false frailty. Scary and alluring.

For others vampires in the Volturi camp, I'd like to see a personal style for each character. They shouldn't all match, as a group. The three leaders should share a certain fashion, as they have traveled down through time together. You know how interesting it is to look at a band of gypsies, (in the movies at least, I've never actually seen a real band of gypsies unfortunately) so many shiny baubles and clamouring buttons? That's how I see the Volturi. As other vamps are acquired to serve the Volturi, the look should become a pot pouri of flavors.

If Chris Weitz can do that, then he can pull off the rest of the movie with ease. Now, about those werewolves... Don't get me started...

2009: The Year of the Wolf

Cower in fear or writhe in ecstasy, dear readers. For the year of the wolf is upon us. I can't say what your instinct tells you to do, but I think once you get a load of the furry men of 2009, you'll lean towards writhing in ecstasy.

There are 4 flicks opening this year featuring extra hairy men all of which are fodder of female fantasies.

Once of the dreamiest is Lucian, the lovelorn lycan of Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. Underworld: Rise kicked off our shaggy stud year on the 23rd of this month. It's currently playing and I'd urge you wolf lovers out there to see it. I saw it opening day and I wasn't disappointed. Set aside the fact that Michael Sheen (Lucian) was mouthwatering, the movie itself was great.

Plot, premise, effects, star power (Bill Nighy as Viktor - lead vamp and Rhonda Mitra as Sonja - Lucian's love) were all magnificent. Followers of the Underworld franchise might just call this one the best of the bunch. If the first two Underworld's Selene was a lure for the fanboys then the third Underworld's Lucian is certainly a major lure for the fangirls. Move over Jacob Black! (Note to dear Taylor Lautner: See picture left: Michael Sheen as Lucian. Notice chest hair, beard, expressive lines around eyes and manly stance? These are characteristics of an adult human male. Take note and see me in 15 years).

Next up we have The Wolf Man starring Benicio Del Toro . I'm looking forward to this film. The more werewolf movies, the better. I'm not so excited by the makeup for Del Toro's wolf man. I would rather the visionaries had strayed a little farther away from the original 1941 Wolf Man's hokey appearance. He reminds me of a button nosed puppy.

I think it would have served the movie's mission better to modernize the wolf man's look. That button nosed, furry human face reminds me more of Fajardo Aceves Jesus Manuel, wolf boy of Mexico than it does a mindless, howling savage animal. My Mom's dog Oscar is scarier than the Wolf Man!

If I were confronted by this wolf man, I'd probably giggle hysterically even as he nibbled me to death with his tiny humanoid mouth.

Of course this joshing is all in good fun. I will be right there on The Wolf Man's opening day, ready to be entertained.

Our next guy is not a werewolf perse, but he gains honorary membership into the furry britches club. This year we are treated to a Wolverine extravaganza sans the rest of the X-Men crew in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. I for one will go see it just because of the hotties joining the cast: Ryan Reynolds will star as Wade Wilson 'Deadpool' and Liev Schreiber checks in as Victor Creed 'Sabretooth'. I saw all the other X-Men movies and they were pretty good. I don't have tons of enthusiasm but I feel it's my duty to go see it just to fully experience the year of the wolf!

Lastly, the culmination of all things wolf of 2009. New Moon is scheduled to open November 21st, exactly one year after the opening of Twilight. Fangirls everywhere are chomping at the bit to devour the next installment in the Twilight saga. Taylor Lautner reprises the role of Jacob Black, this time commanding major screen time as he 'grows' into the role of the studly fur baby. While I'm not happy that the role wasn't relinquished to a bigger, older man who could have realistically portrayed Jacob as the domineering 6'5" (+), 25 - 27 year old (looking) beefcake he became in New Moon, I will concede that Lautner has put forth the effort to fill the shoes. Last I checked, he had put on 29 pounds of pure muscle and was still working on it. I truly believe that if he could bare down real hard and force himself to grow 12 inches, he would do it. Slow down kid, you're going to rupture something.

So an 'A' for effort to Taylor Lautner. I don't dislike him, I just didn't want him in this role. But I'm sure I'll be pleasantly surprised.

There you have it, 4 deliciously devious, handsomely hairy stud puppies to sink your teeth into in 2009. Arooo! Hail the year of the wolf! Now out you go, get out there and start the year right by enjoying the 1st wolfy treat, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans on the silver screen, and mark your calendars for the rest of these nocturnal nibblers.

Lautner Returns as Jacob: CG to Provide Male Enhancement

Well, this is likely to be a pessimistic post. One, because my plans to go see Twilight again in the theater tonight were thwarted by old man winter. Enough already! Bring on spring.

But mainly because it's confirmed that Taylor Lautner will indeed be back as Jacob Black in New Moon. I feel like this was a selfish and stupid decision, in part made by Summit, but also by Chris Weitz. Chris Weitz, in case you don't already know, is the guy who took over the reigns of directing the Twilight saga from Catherine Hardwicke.

This gives me another reason to doubt Summit's ability to make rational decisions. It's like they want future Twilight films to fail. They've repeatedly done stupid things:

1. Fired Catherine Hardwicke
2. Decided to only bump up production moneys for New Moon to $50 million, just barely more than the shoe string budget they allotted for Twilight. Even though New Moon will require extensive CG effects for werewolf transitions, site shoots (in Italy, no less!), cast additions (Volturi, anyone? HELLO.), more spectacular vampire stuff and lastly the freaking cost of digitally turning Taylor Lautner into something he clearly IS NOT; a feasible Jacob Black. Which brings me to the last dumb thing:
3. Brought Taylor Lautner back as Jacob. Fans are familiar with his face already. SO WHAT. If you remember right, A LOT of fans didn't want Robert Pattinson to play Edward. So, fans don't always know best and can be fickle. I mean, the same fans that said Robert had a gargoyle's face are now adoringly sighing his name on message boards.

Since Summit is throwing away most of the budget on uber sizing Taylor to pretend that he has any assemblance with the maturing Jacob Black, they might as well throw some money into making Kristen Stewart's acting believable. Let's face it, it's kind of uncomfortable watching all her twitching, eye rolling and stuttering.

One thing you can bet on, since Summit is being stingy with the cash to make New Moon, somewhere quality is going to suffer. Especially since a goodly amount of money will be allotted to correcting the glaring mismatch of Lautner as Jacob. They plan to resize him in every scene (ala Hagrid in the Harry Potter films). Let's remember just what a big part Jacob plays in New Moon. That's a lot of male enhancement!

One thing that will be in the forefront of my mind while I'm watching New Moon is that Taylor is not real. That he's just a little guy trying to fill the shoes of my big old Jacob. I hate it! I want a real man to step into the role.

Perhaps the crappiest thing of all is that when New Moon doesn't do as well, Summit will blame it on Edward not being present through a large part of the story. When the truth is if they'd went about making the movie smartly New Moon would be even greater than Twilight is.