Report: Summit stakes release for 'Twilight' follow-up 'Eclipse'

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in 'Twilight'

Credit: Summit

Is "Eclipse," the third cinematic installment of the "The Twilight Saga" ready to move from fall to summer?

That's what Nikki Finke says over at her DeadlineHollywoodDaily blog.

According to Finke, Summer Entertainment has set a June 30, 2010 release date for "Eclipse," which follows "Twilight" and "New Moon" in Stephenie Meyer's bestselling teen vampire (and werewolf) saga.

Finke says that Chris Weitz, who replaced Catherine Hardwicke as director on "New Moon," isn't currently signed for the the third film. 

Production on "New Moon" (formal title "The Twilight Saga: New Moon") will begin next month. Summit has already staked out a Nov. 20, 2009 release date for the sequel.

"New Moon" will open nearly a year to the day after the premiere of "Twilight," which has taken in more than $360 million worldwide, an impressive return on its reported $37 million budget.

For many fans of Meyer's series, "Eclipse" is a favorite, generating the most romantic tension between Bella (Kristen Stewart), her vampire beau Edward (Robert Pattinson) and the increasingly brooding, passionate and lycanthropic Jacob (Taylor Lautner). Beyond the mobilization of Team Edward and Team Jacob, the third book's plot involves a series of murders in the Seattle area, murders that are almost certain to be supernatural in nature.

Summit originally only acquired rights to Meyer's "Twilight," but secured "New Moon," "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn" one week before the first movie's blockbuster opening.

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