Variety ran an interesting article yesterday about the TWILIGHT series.  It seems that the people at Summit, the studio behind the mega-franchise, are debating on whether to split Stephanie Meyers' last book in the series, Breaking Dawn, into two movies.  Given the almost one half billion gross from NEW MOON's two-week worldwide release, stretching the series out to accomodate an extra entry seems a no-brainer.  An embarrassment of riches never gave anyone reason to distress, right?

The problem is, those riches are likely to be spread out among a number of players.  According to Variety, the series' three leads are likely to get paydays in the eight figures.  They'll also have to pay out to Chris Weitz, director of entries #2 and 3, in order to secure his services and dissuade him from taking other projects.  And Summit would also have to renegotiate with Meyers, which means even more coming out of the coffers.

In the end, Summit will do whatever it feels will likely make it the most money.  Given the massive money coming in from the first two entries, the risk/reward percentage may be just too tempting for Summit to pass on one extra entry.

Read the full article in Variety here.

CORRECTION:  Chris Weitz did not direct ECLIPSE;  David Slade did.  Thanks to the keen-eyed Icons faithful who pointed this out.

 --Phil Fasso