Summit Considering ‘Breaking Dawn’ Split

Published by Jeff Leins on: December 1st, 2009

The Twilight Saga: New Moon is dominating theaters and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is in post-production for next summer, which means its time for Summit Entertainment to sit down and have serious discussions about the fourth and final novel in the Stephenie Meyer series, Breaking Dawn.

There was some early talk in April of putting together the last installment by spring 2010, but saga screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg shot down the rumors at the time.

The studio purchased the rights to the entire saga from Meyer before moving ahead with sequels and we know they’ve retained the services of Rosenberg for the inevitable fourth.  Robert Pattinson, who plays male lead Edward Cullen, even gave a tentative shooting start date of fall 2010.

If Pattinson’s word wasn’t enough, producer Wyck Godfrey promised “there’s every intention” The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn will get made.  Of course it will, let’s move on.

What about the rumors the franchise will go the way of Harry Potter and split the last book into two movies?  According to the BFDealMemo, that dream is still alive in the boardrooms of Summit Entertainment.  From a financial standpoint, everyone there knows they stand to make a lot more money with an extra movie, but logistically it’s a bit of a nightmare.

Stephenie Meyer and the actors would all need to renegotiate agreements for another film, since they only signed to make four movies.  That means raises for the stars, especially Kristen Stewart and Pattinson who are already making a reported $12 million a movie.

Summit also needs to find a suitable director, and the return of New Moon’s Chris Weitz is still a definite possibility.  Despite the fact that he feigned retirement last month and his movie was mind-numbingly boring, Weitz is still the number one candidate for his attention to budget and familiarity with the cast.

The concerns with bringing it to the screen are the same as they’ve always been.  How will Summit adapt such a “racy” departure from the rest of the chaste series?

Breaking Dawn spoilers: The teen romance novels got a bit more steamy in Breaking Dawn when Edward and Bella consummated their nuptials with a few wild honeymoon romps that leaves her pregnant with a half-human and half-vampire fetus.  (I still never figured out how an undead vampire has live swimmers.)  There’s also an abortion discussion, a C-section with teeth, numerous telepathic conversations, and Jacob imprints (falls in love) with the infant.

Rosenberg, Meyer, and the producers will need to hash out a few changes that seem slightly less ludicrous without alienating the hardcore fan base.  While they are at it, why not fix the anti-climatic ending too?