The vampire-love story is only beginning to show its teeth at the box office and plans are already underway for a “Twilight” sequel ... but it will be going ahead without director Catherine Hardwicke. According to Entertainment Weekly, “The Golden Compass” director Chris Weitz is ready to join Summit Entertainment in bringing life to Stephenie Meyer's second book of the "Twilight" series, “New Moon.” Of course pen has yet to hit paper and the plan for the project could still change. An official announcement is expected on Sunday Dec. 14, with pre-production beginning as early as next week. But why the director change when “Twilight” has already pulled in $141 million in the United States alone with that figure set to rise as the film makes its international launch this week? Well, some sources are reporting that the decision is the result of several clashes between Hardwicke and the studio during the movies production. Deadline Hollywood is reporting that a studio insider claims the director was “difficult” and “irrational” which eventually led to the decision not to continue working with her for the remainder of the series. In an official statement however, Summit Entertainment instead quotes that their proposed pre-production schedule does not match up with Hardwicke’s vision for “New Moon” and so they had no other choice but to seek a director elsewhere. The studio is hoping that the sequel will be ready for release by the end of 2009, or at the beginning of 2010 at the very latest. Express yourself and be part of the news! Leave a comment below or join our rabid discussions on the SyBoards.