HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — While many critics panned The Twilight Saga: New Moon, director Chris Weitz and company got the last laugh as the film's opening-day weekend placed third on the all-time domestic chart behind only 2008's The Dark Knight and 2007's Spider-Man 3. More importantly, the film earned the respect of its passionate fan base.
"The tracking numbers were enough to indicate that I wouldn't be letting the studio down. But if one could imagine their biggest fears, it would be complete rejection of the movie, by the fans," Weitz told Entertainment Weekly of his concerns heading into last weekend's opening, which raked in $258.8 million worldwide. "What I've realized over the last week is I won't necessarily get good reviews for this movie. Having swallowed that, this was made for the fans, and if you don't get it, then you don't get it."
When asked if he was surprised by some of the film's harsh criticism, Weitz said it was to be expected.
"Nothing surprises me in terms of reviews," he explained. "Having been a reviewer myself, there are only two ways to spin this story. You can either be the one guy who says this is a great movie, or more likely, take a more jaundiced view of the whole thing. And given the media blitz that has accompanied New Moon, it's rather unsurprising. I do wish there was more appreciation for cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe. I think he's a genius and I think he made something beautiful."
As for the end product, Weitz said he's very content with how everything came together.
"In terms of what I wanted to do with the gloss of the picture, the look of the picture, I'm very satisfied with it," he said. "And satisfied to touch back with the crew and the actors and to feel we made it under humane conditions as well. No actors were harmed in the making of this movie."
Also see: The Twilight Saga: New Moon Los Angeles Premiere Pictures
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