Friedman Always Saw Potential in Twilight
Source:Ryan Rotten
April 9, 2008
"We were alerted to the property very early in the life of the company and it was something that we immediately knew was an opportunity not only for us but as a movie," says Summit Entertainment's CEO Robert Friedman, taking ShockTillYouDrop.com back to the beginnings of Catherine Hardwicke's
Twilight (based on the novel by Stephenie Meyer).
The two of us sit to chat briefly during a recent set visit in an empty classroom just off of the Madison High School cafeteria where shooting is taking place. Surrounding us are chairs designated for all of the principal players: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Kellan Lutz, Jackson Rathbone, Ashley Greene, Nikki Reed, et al.
Friedman is cognizant of the fact that come December, when Summit opens the film on the 12th, other studios will be kicking themselves for having passed on the property.
"When we realized there was a chance we could get it - the person who brought it to us was someone who worked with me at Paramount - we aggressively pursued it."
"We always saw this as more of a Romeo and Juliet set in the very interesting world of vampires," he adds.
"It definitely puts an interesting spin on it. The obvious success of the books, and what we knew to be the franchise potential, was something we couldn't resist."
He offers tremendous kudos to Hardwicke who he believes is ideal for the material.
"Her history going back to Thirteen and Lords of Dogtown...when we met with her she had an immediate sense of where the material needed to go and jived exactly with where we thought it should go. We all had the same vision and when that happens you've got to jump on it."
Look for a full set report on ShockTillYouDrop.com soon!
Comments
Posted by: Shelly on April 9, 2008 at 05:17:31
i can't wait for Twilight, it's going to be amazing.
Posted by: LJ on April 9, 2008 at 09:07:55
Summit gets kudos for doing a quality story that actually respects the book instead of some sort of dime a dozen, forgettable vampire knock-off where the only similarity to the original are a few names. Rock on Summit!
Posted by: d - d on April 9, 2008 at 09:23:34
Yes, big time kudos to Summit. It seems like they are honoring the books and Stephenie Meyer (with a cameo, how cool is that?!) and the fans that love these books! If they make them (the books into films) the fans WILL come!! Thank you styd.com for the reports...keep them comming!
Posted by: Waterlily on April 9, 2008 at 09:43:06
Thanks for another Twilight post! (Thanks to twilightlexiconblog.com for the heads up!)
He is so right about the premeire, its gonna blow up and anyone who passed on twilight will see what they missed out on. I cant wait for your full set report!
ps- great pic of Mr. Rotten w/ bella's truck XD
Posted by: Megan on April 9, 2008 at 09:51:55
lol I'm glad Summit got it too and I can't wait for the moovie. (Thanks to twilightlexiconblog.com for heads up!)
Posted by: Alison on April 9, 2008 at 10:03:56
ahh, Summit, I love you! :DD
all those other big movie people are gonna be major jealous xD
btw I got this link @ twilightlexiconblog.com
Posted by: Isabella on April 9, 2008 at 10:10:06
I completely agree with LJ. XD
It really seems like Summit is doing everything they can to make this movie fantastic. I'm thankful that they're really wanting to stay as true to the book as possible.
Many thanks to the Lexicon for the link to this interview! :)
Posted by: Pholla on April 9, 2008 at 10:20:58
Thanks for posting this. I'm glad that Summit is as dedicated as us fans about the book and the movie. I found your article through the Twilight Lexicon and boy, am I glad that I checked it out. I can't wait til Breaking Dawn and the movie to come out!!!
Posted by: Victoria on April 9, 2008 at 10:36:37
Thanks for new info!!!
also thanks to the guys at twilightlexicon for always having great news!!
Posted by: Kim on April 9, 2008 at 10:41:44
Another wonderful interview...thank you!!! I love the "Romeo and Juliet" comparison:)
Posted by: Fatimeh on April 9, 2008 at 11:06:53
Thank you guys for posting this!
twilight is going to be a massive movie,
I was thinking of that the other day-
all of the actors that passed up the movie
are soooo going to regret it.
thanks to the twilightlexicon for the heads up!
Posted by: Kylara on April 9, 2008 at 11:07:06
Oh, yay, another Twilight update. Thanks to the Twilightlexiconblog.com for the heads up :) I always enjoy reading articles about Twilight here, and this one is another nice one.
Posted by: uyen on April 9, 2008 at 11:55:19
AWESOME. i hope time goes by fast, because i can't wait any longer. hehe* God Bless those directors and producers...=)
Posted by: dbert on April 9, 2008 at 13:58:40
Saw the link on lexicon...
I think you were genius to make it a movie, and even more brighter for signing contacts with all the actors/actresses to make sure they would commit to three movies if it came to that...
I hate it when they switch up the actor in the sequels.
Thank you for making our twilight dreams come to life.
Posted by: Insomnia on April 9, 2008 at 14:30:07
When you hear loud banging on your way out of the theatre, just keep walking (lol, they are probably regretting not picking up Twilight as we speak). Thanks for briging us Twilight news :-)
Posted by: Sarah on April 9, 2008 at 14:33:51
Read this about 12 hours before the link was posted on the Lexicon. Thanks to STYD and all the legitimate news sources out there supplying us with real Twilight news without demanding we give you credit for absolutely nothing.
The Twilight fandom really disgusts me sometimes.
Posted by: Carrie on April 9, 2008 at 14:59:31
Didn't MTV pass on a movie deal??? I think anyone who passed will be more than kicking themselves....this movie is going to be huge. I just couldn't believe, when I first heard that there was going to be a movie, all of the sites that I had found...all the fan-sites all over the world!!
I am afraid that it is going to be hard to get into see it!!!
Posted by: Maddy on April 9, 2008 at 15:08:57
I'm really impressed by the crew behind the Twilight movie so far. When news about making the movie first started, I was literally praying that it wouldn't just turn into another "Ella Enchanted" in which they simply stole names and the basic plot from the book. It seems like they're really trying to respect Stephenie and her hard work.
Posted by: Maria on April 9, 2008 at 15:14:30
yes! so glad Summit pick it instead of MTV.
Thanks for the new reports. Our Twilight is in good hands =)
btw, ur right Sarah what is it w/ the Lexicon????
Posted by: pel on April 9, 2008 at 15:18:30
Great interview! Nice job on spreading the news of Summit's vision.
And all the Lexicon did was let a webmaster know where some of his incoming traffic was coming from. Full credit was given to Shock Till You Drop, quoting only a teaser to drive fans to this site.
Posted by: Lauren D on April 9, 2008 at 15:57:37
I am soooo nervous for this movie ti come out...Twilight will never be the same, that much is for sure, but will it be for the better,or...*sobs* THIS IS TOO MUCH TO HANDLE!
Posted by: Hannah on April 9, 2008 at 17:56:05
i am so excited for the movie. i know it will awesome! kudos to everyone involved!
Posted by: Christina on April 9, 2008 at 19:20:34
love the article! neat stuff about one of my favorite books!
Posted by: A. on April 9, 2008 at 21:58:18
This movie is going to rock!! Thanks for reporting about it!
Posted by: Aurea on April 9, 2008 at 23:00:30
Thanks but we already knew that, it's so true though. The Lexicon linked me here and i'll be sure to come back for the soon to come full set report.
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