I'm seeing red over Twilight's sequel -- New Moon.

As if I wasn’t worried enough about New Moon, Twilight’s sequel, already, EW.com is reporting that Summit Entertainment is upping the budget to $50 million – really, a whole $50 million?
Twilight’s reported budget was only $37 million and it showed. One of the biggest complaints from fans was regarding the cheap special effects.
So, after taking in $70 million in its opening weekend, and nearly $140 million in its first three weeks (more than three times its budget), Summit has seen fit to greenlight the second film for a whole $13 million more. WOW!
This is disturbing to all fans, I’m sure, since we already know what happens in the second movie (Twilight’s a VERY successful book series, afterall). This is the flick that introduces the werewolves (natural enemy of the vampire) to the story. And, as described, the humans “phase” into the werewolves, changing almost instantly. That’s going to look pretty crappy if they have to go with stop-motion or some other cheap effect.
The EW report also discloses that Summit has set a tentative release date for New Moon of Nov. 20, 2009, with word that the director replacing Catherine Hardwicke needs to be in "Vancouver by Dec. 15 to begin 12 weeks of preproduction before a mid-March start date." Date check: Monday is Dec. 15! and a director hasn't been confirmed yet, although reports state that Golden Compass director Chris Weitz has been offered the job.
It would have been a better bet to keep Hardwicke, considering she already is familiar with the storyline and has experience in what worked and didn't in the first movie. However, it might not have been Summit's decision afterall, a source close to Hardwicke disclosed to EW, "She'd love to do the sequel if she could do it better than Twilight. It became clear that Summit didn't have those same priorties." Obviously.
What director in their right mind would take the helm under these circumstances? Weitz certainly doesn't need back-to-back fantasy flops. Considering that anticipation is always greater for a sequel than the original, if New Moon stinks, word will spread quickly and fans won't come back.
Also in question is New Moon's script, as written by Melissa Rosenberg. She scripted Twilight under the gun of the looming writers' strike earlier this year, which might account for some of its short-comings. I was hoping with more time, she could present a better one for New Moon, but certainly not under these rushed circumstances. Rosenberg is also reported to be writing the script for the third movie (Eclipse), which might be made back-to-back with New Moon. How's that for a rush-job?

Jacob Black
SPOILER ALERT: skip past next photo to avoid.



There also may be plans for Summit to replace Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black. I originally thought this might be a good idea when I first heard he was cast in Twilight. Afterall, in New Moon, Black hits puberty and REALLY grows, if you know what I mean (I'm talking werewolf here). The book makes it clear that Jacob's much taller and much more muscular. But I really did enjoy Lautner in Twilight, he made a bigger impression on me than I would have thought. And New Moon would really afford him an opportunity to shine. (Calm down y'all, I'm still totally Team Edward!)





Twilight's Edward & Bella


Back to the budget -- If the stars are really getting paid the $12 million that's been alluded to on the Internet, that leaves only $26 million for special effects, a reported location shoot in Italy, salaries for the rest of the cast, crew, director, etc. WTH? Is Summit purposely sabatoging its sure-thing franchise?