'30 Days of Night' Director Takes on 'Twilight Saga: Eclipse'

Summit Entertainment announced today that David Slade has been hired to direct 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' from a screenplay written by Melissa Rosenberg.

'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse', the third film in the studio's 'Twilight' film franchise based on the Stephenie Meyer's blockbuster book series, will be released theatrically in North America on Wednesday, June 30, 2010. The announcement was made by Erik Feig, Summit's President of Production.

Meyer stated, "I am thrilled that David Slade will be directing 'Eclipse'. He's a visionary filmmaker who has so much to offer this franchise. From the beginning, we've been blessed with wonderful directorial talent for the 'Twilight Saga', and I'm so happy that Eclipse will be carrying on with that tradition."

Feig said, "Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse is a muscular, rich, vivid book and we at Summit looked long and hard for a director who could do it justice. We believe we have found that talent in David Slade, a director who has been able to create complex, visually arresting worlds. We cannot wait to see the Eclipse he brings to life and brings to the fans eagerly awaiting its arrival in summer of 2010."

Filmmaker Slade came to prominence as a director for his work on 2006's engrossing film 'Hard Candy' starring Academy Award® Nominated actress Ellen Page as well as directing 2007's genre hit '30 Days of Night' which opened to number one at the box office its first weekend of release.

In Eclipse, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob – knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.