Celebrity gossip juicy celebrity rumors Hollywood gossip blog from Perez Hilton

Attention Twilight-ers Posted: 13 Dec 2008 05:48 PM CST Hoping to calm any unrest about the departure of Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke from the film franchise, everybody associated with the vampire tale is speaking up! The person chosen to helm New Moon, director Chris Weitz just wrote the following letter to the fans: Dear fans of Twilight, New Moon, Bella, Edward and Jacob, In the past few days I have been involved in a whirlwind romance with Stephenie Meyers' extraordinary books. And I am very grateful to have received her permission to protect New Moon in its translation from the page to the screen. For fans of the books and of the film of Twilight, this may come as an unexpected twist. So I want to write briefly to try to put you at ease, and to give you reason to hope for and expect the best. For the last decade of my career as a director, I have chosen to make adaptations of complex and involved works of literature. This has always begun with the love of a book and its characters, story, and theme; and it has always involved a respect of and responsiveness to the feelings of other people who loved those books. When I saw the film of Twilight, I was alternately entranced and left hungry for more. I was also struck by the extraordinary passion for the characters, story and theme that was evident in the people sitting in the seats around me. My job is to live up to that devotion. Like many of you, I am a fan of Catherine Hardwicke's work. I can't really say much about why she is not doing New Moon because I wasn't involved in those decisions. But I can say that I will devote myself to making the very best and most faithful version of New Moon that can be brought to the screen. To those who doubt that as a male director I can capture Bella's experience, I can only say that emotion is universal and that my work has often involved working with some of the most talented actresses in the world. For the rest, the proof will have to be in the pudding. But I promise to remain responsive to your hopes and fears. I thank you for this opportunity and for your faith. Very best, Chris Weitz And Summit Entertainment, the film's producers and distributor, is also speaking out. They say: Summit Entertainment announced today that filmmaker Chris Weitz has been hired to direct the second film in the studio's TWILIGHT film franchise. The film, NEW MOON, is based on the second book in author Stephenie Meyer's blockbuster book series. The announcement was made by Erik Feig, Summit's President of Production. Weitz, an Acadamy Award®-nominated writer, director and producer, has a proven track record working with a broad range of material dealing with youth-oriented characters, fantasy and action. As such, he has the potential to bring alive in NEW MOON the dimensions and depth that fans will demand in the next installment. Feig stated, "We love Stephenie Meyer's fantastic TWILIGHT series. Thinking long and hard about how to turn NEW MOON into the amazing movie we know it will be, and working with Stephenie Meyer to find the right candidate, we are thrilled to announce Chris Weitz as director of the film. Chris very much understands the world of NEW MOON and has the skill set required to bring the book to glorious life as a movie. We think he will be an excellent steward of Stephenie Meyer's vision." "I am honored to have been entrusted with shepherding NEW MOON from the page to the screen," said Weitz. "The extraordinary world that Stephenie has created has millions of fans, and it will be my duty to protect on their behalf the characters, themes and story they love. This is not a task to be taken lightly, and I will put every effort into realizing a beautiful film to stand alongside a beautiful book." Weitz previously penned ABOUT A BOY, which led to an Academy Award Nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2002, and adapted and directed THE GOLDEN COMPASS (2007), which was nominated for two Academy Awards and won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Additionally, Weitz co-wrote the 1998 animated film ANTZ and went on to produce the major box office success AMERICAN PIE and executive produced the film's two theatrical sequels. Weitz also produced IN GOOD COMPANY starring Dennis Quaid and Topher Grace and executive produced AMERICAN DREAMZ starring Hugh Grant, Dennis Quaid and Mandy Moore. And, not to be left out…. Twilight author Stephenie Meyer herself has addressed the issue. She says: Hey guys, There's been a lot of worry and speculation on the boards lately, and I want to let you know what's going on. First of all, like you, I'm sad that Catherine is not continuing on with us for New Moon. I'm going to miss her, not just as a brilliant director, but also as a friend. She has such a distinct, authentic voice that did amazing things for Twilight. I'm looking forward to every movie she does in the future. And she didn't leave us empty handed. We still get the benefits of her amazing casting and the beautiful visual world she created. This foundation puts us in a good place for New Moon. Summit Films is moving forward with a new director for New Moon. They've asked Chris Weitz, director of American Pie, About a Boy, and The Golden Compass, to join us, and I am very pleased to announce that he's agreed to be a part of our Twilight world. I've had the chance to talk to Chris, and I can tell you that he is excited by the story and eager to keep the movie as close to the book as possible. He is also very aware of you, the fans, and wants to keep you all extremely happy. (Torches and pitchforks are not going to be necessary.) I'm excited to work with Chris and I think he brings a lot to the table, not the least of which for me is that he wrote the screenplay for and directed one of my favorite movies of all time, About a Boy. I'm really looking forward to seeing his vision for New Moon. And there you have it! Make ya feel any better???? [Image via WENN.]

If You Are Easily Offended….. Posted: 13 Dec 2008 02:28 PM CST Then do not CLICK HERE! Dancing with the Stars reject Marie Osmond in Vegas on Friday hawking her doll collection. What's scarier to you, Marie or her dolls? [Image via WENN.]

J-Hud Cancels Posted: 13 Dec 2008 02:19 PM CST Jennifer Hudson has pulled out of plans to film a new music video next week. The still-grieving Oscar winner is not yet ready to get back to work after the unimaginable slaying of three beloved family members, her mother, brother and nephew. "The video was set up before the tragedy and she felt like she should finish what she started, but she's realized that she's not ready to go back to work," a source says. "It's too early." Let us all send positive thoughts J-Hud's way! Hopefully our energy can help her healing a bit. [Image via WENN.]

Fill in the Blank Posted: 13 Dec 2008 02:10 PM CST Michael Jackson was dressed like that in Los Angeles on Thursday because __________. [Image via National Photo Group.]

Dumped????? Posted: 13 Dec 2008 02:06 PM CST Sources reveal exclusively to PerezHilton.com that Jessica Simpson is THISCLOSE to being dropped by her record label. Sucks for her! [Image via WENN.]

Lily does Britney! Posted: 13 Dec 2008 02:01 PM CST Lily Allen has done a great cover of Britney's Womanizer. Check it out below! [Song via Stereogum. Image via WENN.]

Scarlett Didn't Say That!!! Posted: 13 Dec 2008 01:55 PM CST This is soooooo shady!!!! Remember that Scarlett Johansson interview we posted this past week from Cosmo U.K.? The one where she reveals all about her marriage and relationship to the super hot Ryan Reynolds???? Well, it was ALL MADE UP!!!! Scarlett's publicist reveals exclusively to PerezHilton.com that Cosmo U.K. completely fabricated the whole thing. So wrong! Marcel Pariseau, Johansson's rep, tells us, "The quotes attributed to Scarlett Johansson regarding her marriage in the UK edition of Cosmopolitan are wholly fabricated. Ms. Johansson has at no point granted UK Cosmopolitan an interview, and she has never discussed her personal relationships with the publication. In fact, in an interview with US Cosmopolitan given prior to her engagement, (Published August 2008) Ms. Johansson states the following when asked about her relationship "I hate feeling like I have to share my personal life with anybody. So I'll take the normal celebrity route and just say I'm going to keep my personal life private." The cover story is an obvious attempt by UK Cosmopolitan to gain monetarily by misinforming their readers. Ms. Johansson, who goes to great lengths to preserve an authentic representation of herself with respect to her fans and the media, is disappointed to see a seemingly reputable publication inexplicably publish a work of fiction at her expense." Scarlett's publicist also tells us that the actress will be seeking "legal action" against the shady shady publication. And rightfully so! [Images via WENN.]

Nicole Richie Album In the Works Posted: 13 Dec 2008 01:42 PM CST We're cautiously optimistic about this music news. Nicole Richie, daughter of hitmaker Lionel, is working on an album and getting help from friends Rihanna and Kelly Osbourne, according to the NY Daily News. Everything Princess RiRi touches is gold. You tapped into a good person, Nic. Let's also hope some of her dad's music genius has rubbed off on her! [Image via WENN.]

Cokate, Preggers? Posted: 13 Dec 2008 01:39 PM CST According to The Sun , past-her-prime Kate Moss added fuel to the pregnancy rumors floating around her on Friday by covering her tummy with a teddy bear while walking in London with the owner of Top Shop and her musician boyfriend, Jamie Hince. Maybe she's just attention whoring???? We don't think she's doing a good job of taking care of the kid she already has! If it's true, little Lila Grace will have someone to work out abandonment issues with. [Image via WENN.]

SIGHting Posted: 13 Dec 2008 01:36 PM CST Spotted: New Kid on the Block Jonathan Knight and his boyfriend, Harley Rodriguez, at the Kathy Griffin show at the Kodak Theater on Friday night. We saw them with our own eyes. It doesn't get any gayer than that!

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