Bill Condon to direct 4th "Twilight" movie

By Jay A. Fernandez

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Confirming recent speculation, Summit Entertainment announced Wednesday that "Dreamgirls" writer-director Bill Condon will direct the final film in the "Twilight" series, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn."

No decision has yet been made as to whether the long final book will be divided into two movies or whether one (or both) will be filmed in 3D.

Regardless, as with the previous three films, Melissa Rosenberg is adapting the Stephenie Meyer novel, while Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner will return to star.

"I'm very excited to get the chance to bring the climax of this saga to life onscreen," said Condon. "As fans of the series know, this is a one-of-a-kind book -- and we're hoping to create an equally unique cinematic experience."

The film franchise, which unfolds as a youthful romantic saga involving humans, werewolves and vampires, has already generated more than $1 billion in worldwide grosses. The third film, "Eclipse," directed by David Slade, will hit theaters June 30.

"Bringing Stephenie Meyer's 'Breaking Dawn' to the screen requires a graceful and intelligent hand, and we believe Bill Condon is exactly the right steward, having shown equal and abundant talents of immense creativity and subtle sensitivity," Summit production president Erik Feig said.

Condon wrote and directed "Kinsey" and wrote the adapted screenplay for "Chicago." He won an Oscar for adapting the screenplay for "Gods and Monsters," which he also directed.

Condon recently directed the pilot episode for the Showtime series "The Big C" and produced the Hugh Jackman-hosted Academy Awards telecast in 2009.

Reuters