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NO SEX, NO VIOLENCE, NO STARS, NO. 1: 'Twilight' Takes Biggest $32.7M Bite Out Of Box Office Friday; Bond #2, 'Bolt' #3

SATURDAY EARLY AM: First numbers show that Summit Entertainment's low cost blockbuster Twilight opened huge as expected because of heavy pre-sales with $32.7M Friday from 3,419 theaters, including $7M worth of Thursday midnight shows, for what should be $65M for its first North American weekend in release. (One rival studio bigwig thinks it made as much as a "jaw dropping" $35M, telling me: "Even figuring a big drop tomorrow, it has to be a mid-$70sM weekend.") Fangirls -- or should I say fang-girls -- were buying 5 Twilight tickets per second as of early Friday morning, making Twilight online ticket-seller Fandango's fastest-selling film since The Dark Knight last July. Then the tween and teen females in store bought or homemade Twilight clothes (and even Twilight tattoos) flocked to the first Big Screen version of Stephenie Meyer's bestselling series of Romeo & Juliet-style vampire romance books. Yet the movie adaptation was made by start-up studio Summit for only $37M.

This will be the start of a big new franchise since a sequel is already in the works. The first box office record has already been broken by Twilight's girl power: this is the biggest opening for a female director. Catherine Hardwicke is easily beating Mimi Leder's $41.1M for 1998's Deep Impact. (But with an asterisk since these figures aren't adjusted for inflation, ticket prices, etc.) If Friday's figure holds, then Twilight will have the 2nd best opening day for a November release behind Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire, and the 16th highest opening day gross ever, beating the first Harry Potter and just behind the 3rd Lord Of The Rings.

Source: http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/

Summit Entertainment announced today that the studio is officially moving forward with the production of New Moon, the second installment of its filmed franchise vampire love story Twilight which took the biggest bite out of this weekend's box office for No. 1. (I first reported this on October 13th, Summit Readying 'Twilight' Sequel.) The follow-up will be based on the second novel in author Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series titled, New Moon. "I don't think any other author has had a more positive experience with the makers of her movie adaptation than I have had with Summit Entertainment," Stephenie Meyer said in the press release. "I'm thrilled to have the chance to work with them again on New Moon." The enormous success of Twilight in theaters this weekend is a defining moment for start-up studio Summit, which had struggled with its early produce. Meanwhile, on Saturday morning, Twilight stars Robert Pattinson and Kristin Stewart issued a former "thank you" to fans for their box office support making it the No. 1 movie this weekend and also announced the sequel as well.

Source: http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/toldja-summit-announces-twilight-sequel-stars-thank-fans/

While Charlie was tugging at the audience's heartstrings, others were desperately trying to lighten the mood. Bella's small circle of friends at Forks High School could've easily faded into the background of this angst-filled drama; instead, they stole every scene they were in. No one who sees the film -- whether they liked it overall or not -- can deny the brilliant performances of Michael Welch (as jokester Mike) and Anna Kendrick (as frenemy Jessica), in particular. They brought levity to the story and subtly reminded the audience of the carefree life Bella would be giving up, should she choose to stay with Edward.

source: http://blog.redbox.com/redblog/2008/11/twilight.html

I certainly did not go into the theater expecting to laugh while watching the film. There are a few laughs in the book, but I thought the movie would be a strict romance and leave no room for embellishment. But Charlie, Jasper, Mike Newton, and Eric Yorkie made everyone in the theater laugh endlessly. Michael Welch was a wonderful actor, and made his character leap right out from the books. I can easily see Catherine Hardwicke¢s influence in keeping the film from being overly serious business, and yet delicately keeping with the plot of the story.

source: http://www.twilightguy.com/2008/11/22/twilight-movie-review/

HisGoldenEyes has posted Parts 2 and 3 of the interview Michael did with Bailey (NoMoreMarbles):

http://www.hisgoldeneyes.com/?subaction=showfull&id=1227303592&archive=

Here are all three parts on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63jH2ZDc1RI (Part 1 -- 10:01)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DShq6RooW1s (Part 2 -- 10:01)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcCEPsiStkE (Part 3 -- 8:26)