Ashley's ex wanted to play the part of Riley

Beck Starr/Getty Images; Jean-Paul Aussenard/Getty Images

E! Online reports:

I

f things had gone differently, Ashley Greene could have been making Twilight movie magic with her ex-boyfriend, former Desperate Housewives star Josh Henderson.

"I talked to Ashley about potentially being the new, college, all-American character that's a vampire in the third one," Henderson told us last night at Xbox's launch of EA Sports' Madden NFL 10 in Santa Monica. "I went for a few auditions, but they went with an Australian kid."

As all Twi fans know, Henderson is referring to the role of Riley in Eclipse, which just went to big-screen newbie Xavier Samuel.

How times have changed for Henderson and Greene. It used to be Greene who was doing the following of Henderson to work...

"I remember when she was brand-new," Henderson said. "She used to come on set with me and be like, 'Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.' So, I'm completely stoked for her that she's doing her own thing…It's completely changed her life."

New Interview with Xavier Samuel, aka Riley

Thanks for the find, CBA!

Eclipse production to begin August 17, and Rob's not reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid. sniff.

Their website also mentions "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," which happened to be my last read (I have a 10 year old, ok?)..... one more tear in my eye that RPattz and I are on completely different levels, cause he's reading books like the one discovered by LTR:

Rob showers AND reads...

Dear Rob,

I saw the pictures of you holding a book recently and wondered to myself what you were reading. I figured I could blow up the picture & throw a little photoshop filter on to try and read the title myself, OR I could just tweet my question knowing someone’s probably already done the dirty work for me. (Moon & UC tip of the day, start a blog & get a lot of people to read it and then just ask THEM to do all the research for you- it’s a whole lotta fun)* Turns out I didn’t even have to tweet because the gals at Robsessed had someone figure it out for them!

Looks like you’re reading Independent People by Halldor Laxness. Like any good fan, I immediately went to Amazon to purchase the book. Ya know, just in case we end up in a bar together & need something to talk about other than what we’ll obviously be doing later that night (skyping with Kristen. duh) Although I am a good fan, I’m also frugal, and I wanted to make sure I was going to enjoy what I was spending my $10.85 on.

You might judge me now, but I thought the description of the book sounded like it sucks. Big time. I decided I wouldn’t admit that to the world or my friends, but would just pretend I never found out what book you were holding.

EastFriend: DO NOT attempt to read Independent People…just because Rob was carrying it. It is long. It is confusing. It is painful. It is arduous. It is BORING. If he’s trying to appear all mysterious and educated and cultured for reading it, he failed. Cause an ounce of pretension is worth a pound of manure.

I will write him a freakin’ letter…

Dear Rob,

Dude, get some Danielle Steele…Jackie Collins…James Patterson…or better yet, The Hunger Games. It’s freaking SUMMER. Time for smut, beach reads, and can’t-put-downables.

Love you,

The Reader (not that pervy The Reader, who molests 15 year old kids. Just so you know.)

a secret msg about rob

UC: I may have already googled it to see if it was a good read.

I fell asleep reading the description. I don’t think he’s pretentious. I really think he loves that book. I think he just might be boring. Let’s send him some Nicholas Sparks & naked pics of ourselves.

a secret msg about rob

EastFriend: I think he’s the opposite of pretentious…I really do. But this book? Why else in the heck would he even be giving it more than a cursory glance? Oh, Rob…you are so educated.

I don’t think he’s boring. He can’t be boring. He has a giggly girl laugh. No one who giggles like that is boring.

I’m down with the Sparks and naked pictures. But ONLY if we are HOLDING A Walk to Remember (the godliest of his books, of course!) WHILE naked.

a secret msg about rob

UC: let’s TAKE a walk to remember, naked WITH ryan gosling. I know he’s in The Notebook. but who cares. he’s hotter than the guy in a walk to remember (who i loved in college, bad)

a secret msg about rob

Moon: of course you loved shane west! who didn’t? especially when he was listened to jars of clay while working on the car!

ok just amazon-ed ‘independent people’- worst written synopsis ever.

got tons of 5 stars though… hmmmmm. maybe it’s for a new movie coming up? his grandma sent it to him to read? he’s in a super secret bookclub of old ladies in NYC? the possibilities are endless!

a secret msg about rob

WestFriend: Dude. I loved Shane West. I had a very pixelated picture of him printed out, and slid into my clear-view binder in Jr. High. You know you had a clear view at some point! (Wow- WestFriend did not mention Rob in this setence)

a secret msg about rob

EastFriend: Rob’s in an urban hipster book club in SoHo. They wear beanies and discuss cold fusion. Over Stoli on ice. Hopefully he’s preparing for his next role. Cause I’d dig him as an urban hipster in a beanie. In glasses. Oh. My. Stars. That’d be smokin’ hot.

a secret msg about rob

Start squealing, WestFriend

WestFriend: If Rob wore glasses…I might squeal. And I hate squealers.

EastFriend: DO NOT attempt to read Independent People...just because Rob was carrying it. It is long. It is confusing. It is painful. It is arduous. It is BORING. If he’s trying to appear all mysterious and educated and cultured for reading it, he failed. Cause an ounce of pretension is worth a pound of manure.

Eclipse Casting underway for three new characters *spoiler*

E! Online reports that they got their grubby hands on a casting notice for Eclipse, directed by David Slade. The notice calls for three new cast members, amont them:

Riley- "...a handsome, blond, clean-cut college boy who falls victim to Victoria," the notice reads. He's in his early to mid 20s and "plays an integral role in Victoria's attempt to murder Bella Swan."

Two new members of the Quileute tribe are also being requested. Like New Moon, they are looking for Native American or First Nations actors to fill the roles.

Seth Clearwater- "...a tall, gangly-limbed boy with a huge, happy grin," the notice reads. "Seth idolizes Jacob."

Leah Clearwater- Seth's big sister is 19-year-old Leah Clearwater and the only female member of La Push: "She is tall and slender with beautiful skin and short cropped black hair. She would be considered gorgeous if not for the perpetual scowl she carries due to a broken heart and her anger issues."

Now that Eclipse is up and running, what about the fourth, Breaking Dawn? As much as everyone in the cast wants it to happen, it still sounds like nothing's official…yet.

Melissa Rosenberg Says Relax. Slade Gets It.

Melissa Rosenberg's notes on Twilight Gossip:

David Slade Eats His Words, but not in the sadistic fashion for which he's known...

David Slade, director of Eclipse, issued this statement to the Lexicon:

When I made these comments, I had neither seen the film nor read the books. I was promoting a comedy short film that I had made for Xbox and every pop culture subject was seen as a possible comedy target. I was being silly and none of the statements were from the heart.

Of course, I have since seen the movie and read the books and was quickly consumed with the rich storytelling and the beautifully honest characters that Stephenie Meyer created.

I would like to reassure everyone involved that I am invested in making the best film that I am humanly capable of, and that I am acutely aware of the power of the original books we serve.

Please be rest assured this statement is absolutely from the heart.

Thanks to the Twilight Examiner for this nugget, and to Slade's people for catching it so quickly and evading a potential outbreak of MORE rabid Twilighters... we thank you!

Eclipse: A primer for novices and a couple deets that Twilighters may not know...

With the concrete knowledge of David Slade heading up Eclipse comes a primer from Moviefone:

Vampires are old hat for David Slade.
After proving he could create a nuanced thriller with the Ellen Page-starrer 'Hard Candy,' Slade showed his affinity for vamps with 2008's blood-soaked romp '30 Days of Night.' So although he's a relatively untested director with only two features under his belt, Slade has the experience where it counts. Expect his 'Twilight' go-around to be spectacle-driven and perhaps a wee bit more hardcore on the violence. (YAY!)

The Edward-Bella-Jacob love triangle will come to a head.
In the third book -- and thus the third film -- Bella Swann (Kristen Stewart) is forced to choose between vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). Who will she choose? C'mon, you know.

Melissa Rosenberg is writing the screenplay.
Though the director has changed on each successive flick in the 'Twilight' saga -- Catherine Hardwicke directed the first, Paul Weitz took over on 'New Moon' -- screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg has been a constant. With the scripts for 'Twilight' and 'New Moon' under her belt, Rosenberg is already cranking on her adaptation of 'Eclipse.' And it's a good thing, too, because ...

'Eclipse' is set to hit theaters in little more than a year.
The next two 'Twilight' installments have boldly set not-too-distant release dates: 'New Moon' is set to rise in theaters on Nov. 20, 2009, while a total 'Eclipse' of the box office is scheduled to occur when the third chapter in the Edward-Bella saga bows on June 30, 2010.

MovieFone's "Unscripted" interview about Twilight- an oldie but goodie!

Official Word: David Slade to Direct Eclipse

I reported earlier that Nikki Finke suggested David Slade as the potential shoe-in to fill the director spot for Eclipse... turns out that speculation was right on:

From Summit:
David Slade has been hired to direct THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE from a screenplay written by Melissa Rosenberg. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, the third film in the studio's TWILIGHT film franchise based on the Stephenie Meyer's blockbuster book series, will be released theatrically in North America on Wednesday, June 30, 2010. The announcement was made by Erik Feig, Summit's President of Production.

Meyer stated, "I am thrilled that David Slade will be directing ECLIPSE. He's a visionary filmmaker who has so much to offer this franchise. From the beginning, we've been blessed with wonderful directorial talent for the Twilight Saga, and I'm so happy that ECLIPSE will be carrying on with that tradition."

One of Slade's movies- it's getting dark in here, Twilighters!

David Slade a possible Eclipse director, and Twilighter Awesomeness...

Nikki Finke reports that another director is possibly in talks for directing Eclipse:

Insiders tell me that Summit Entertainment is talking to very edgy director David Slade (Hard Candy, 30 Days Of Night) about helming Eclipse, the 3rd pic in the Twilight Saga. I understand he's met with author Stephenie Meyer and Summit prez of production Erik Feig. But let me be clear: there's no deal yet.

Yada-yada- more possible smut that may or may not pan out... the news to me about this story is her comment at the end of the story:

(Why do I care? Let me be transparent -- because those Twilight fans generate heaps of web traffic...)

Note: I have found that Twilighters are the nicest, most passionate bunch around- you guys ROCK!!!

Goodnight Juliet strives towards Eclipse Soundtrack Success

Goodnight Juliet is working hard to get their song "Let's Never Die" into the Eclipse, Twilight Saga Movie sountrack.

You can support the group by checking them out at Hot Topic in Modesto, CA at an all ages, FREE special event Friday March 27th at 6 pm.

Goodnight Juliet is affiliated with TwiFans and needs all the support they can get to help them achieve their dream.

Check out their video:

Find more videos like this on Twifans


And their exclusive interview with TwiFans:

Find more videos like this on Twifans

Summit Clarifies Eclipse Director Rumors

Access Hollywood talked to Summit to clarify the rumors swirling around the potential Eclipse Director. Nikki Finke and Variety are adamant that Bayona is the shoe-in, while the L.A. Times says that Summit is still in the interview process.

From Access Hollywood, who actually TALKED to Summit:

Summit Entertainment is still considering directors for “Eclipse,” the third film in the “Twilight” saga, the studio told Access Hollywood on Friday.

The studio told Access on Friday that several filmmakers were still being looked at for the job.

Rob Re-Hash

Because I never get tired of listening to his sexy British accent in my head.. from The Improper:

Rob, who shot to overnight A-list status thanks to Twi's unexpected mainstream popularity, says New Moon will have a different tone than the original film.

"My character goes 50 times darker than it did in the first movie," he says. New Moon is my favorite book and I think you can really change the character in the end."

Adds Pattinson: "[Edward is] distraught, and every ounce of confidence he has in the first [book] is gone by the end of the second one, when he's essentially committing suicide. I can create something quite special with it if they let me."

When asked which scene he's looking forward to shooting the most, Rob jokes: The part where Edward dumps Bella. "The scene where we temporarily break up," he says. "On one hand, it's completely impossible. And on the other, it sets a very different tone to the series. I think it will be good."

Meanwhile, the single Rob has a heavy work schedule for the next two years: New Moon begins shooting on March 23 in Vancouver and in Italy. After it wraps, Pattinson will begin working on Eclipse, the sequel to New Moon, which will be rolled out just seven months afterward.

Adds the London native: "I haven’t moved [to L.A.] for good. I live in a rented apartment where all of the furniture is rented...I miss being able to go for a walk. I miss the smell of London. And I miss my dog [Patty, a female West Highland white terrier]."

These pics are of Rob in costume- ready to shoot a New Moon scene! YUM!

The Fangs Are Beginning to Show

I just posted this retraction apologizing for misquoting information about Bayona being chosen to direct "Eclipse." Seems things are getting a bit sticky. I don't retract my retraction, but read on:

The L.A. Times. Sounds about as reputable as you can get, right? After the reporter slammed Hollywood "in the know" reporter Nikki Finke, she responded with this:

Summit Entertainment's president of worldwide production and acquisitions Erik Feig is accusing Los Angeles Times blogger Patrick Goldstein of misquoting him today about the accuracy of my reporting. And the movie executive has apologized to me.

Feig told me he plans to confont the LA Times columnist who has slammed me three times this week alone (and each time mischaracterized what I'd written and refused to correct it). I'm still waiting for Goldstein to publish my response today that I stand by my story, which I worded very specifically to say: "I can confirm that Summit Entertainment is telling Hollywood privately that Juan Antonio Bayona will direct Eclipse."

That said, I'll still be checking my sources, but until we hear official words on ANYTHING, keep in mind that everything on this and all blogs, sites, papers, mags, media is pure speculation.

Attention Folks- A RETRACTION is in order...

Apparently Nikki's information was completely incorrect after all... the L.A. Times reports that:

"Summit Entertainment has not -- I repeat NOT-- hired "Orphanage" director Juan Antonio Bayona to direct "Eclipse," the third film in the wildly successful “Twilight” series. That would be the exact opposite of the "news" you read earlier today, first in Nikki Finke’s post on Deadline Hollywood and later in Dave McNary's seemingly authoritative Variety story, which baldly stated that Summit "has tapped Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona to direct 'Eclipse.'

Feig was shocked to see the media reports saying Summit had hired Bayona, since -- ahem -- they’re not true. "The 'Eclipse' directing job hasn’t been offered to Juan Antonio or anyone else," he said. "We’ve met with three or four talented filmmakers and we’ll be meeting with three or four more other candidates before we make any decision. No one has been offered the job."

Feig added that no one even bothered to call to check out the rumors before printing them, something that has become an all-too-often occurrence in the Wild West free-for-all that constitutes today’s Web-based entertainment coverage. "Nikki never called Summit or any of the producers, and Variety ran it off her blog without calling us either, which I find doubly irresponsible." (In fairness, McNary did call Summit’s PR rep, who would not confirm the story.)

My apologies. With rumors running like wildfire over the net and through the blogs, it's easy to get caught up in the sensationalism. I know better, and I'll check my sources more thoroughly in the future.

Bayona sounds a shoe-in for Eclipse director chair

Forget the rumor mills of gossip columns. Reliable Hollywood source Nikki Finke reports: "I can confirm that Summit Entertainment is telling Hollywood privately that Juan Antonio Bayona will direct Eclipse. It's a very out-of-the-box choice for the 3rd movie in the "Twilight Saga" series of Stephenie Meyer vampire novels being hurried to the big screen by the start-up studio. (I guess it doesn't matter that other sources tell me Bayona hasn't yet met Stephenie, huh?)"

Juan Antonio Bayona, director of 'The Orphanage,' and a scene from the film (below). Yikes!

Thanks to CBA for the tip!