Well, we all know about Twilight and we know that they 're going to make New Moon too, based on Stephenie 's Meyer second book of Twilight Saga, New Moon. On Saturday we learned that the new director would be Chris Weitz. Check this out! LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Chris Weitz will direct " New Moon ," the sequel to the smash vampire romance "Twilight," after that film's director Catherine Hardwicke failed to reach a deal with producer Summit Entertainment . The hiring of Weitz, whose credits include "About A Boy" and " The Golden Compass ," prompted a carefully calibrated campaign of reassurance on the part of creators. Stephenie Meyer , the author of the four-book series about young vampires and werewolves, wrote a letter that sought to calm fans nervous about the midstream switch. "I'm sad that Catherine is not continuing on with us for 'New Moon,' she wrote on her Web site, but then noted that, with Weitz: "Torches and pitchforks aren't going to be necessary." The director "is excited by the story and eager to keep the movie as close to the book as possible," she wrote. "He is also aware of you, the fans, and wants to keep you all extremely happy. It's rare for the director of a successful first picture not to continue on with the sequel. There have been conflicting reports about Hardwicke's departure, with some noting creative and other differences. Summit has said it was a matter of scheduling. Weitz has not directed a girl-oriented project before but has been involved in movies that encompass elements featured in "Twilight," producing the coming-of-age tale " American Pie " and directing the fantasy adventure "The Golden Compass." Still, the director was taking few chances. "I promise to remain responsive to your hopes and fears," he wrote in his own letter to fans Saturday. "I thank you for this opportunity and for your faith." Weitz said he had been "in a whirlwind romance" with the series over the past few days, and, in a particularly careful phrasing, said he is "very grateful to have received (Meyer's) permission to protect 'New Moon' in its translation from the page to the screen." Both Weitz's and Meyer's letters represent rare attempts to communicate with fans on issues often left mostly to the industry, and speak both to the intense insider interest of fans as well as the importance of that group to the franchise's success. Summit a week ago had faced a public-relations challenge when some fan bulletin boards began to worry about Hardwicke's departure. "Twilight" stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are returning for the sequel, as is screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg . The picture, like the first, centers on the ordinary teenager Bella and the vampire Edward but adds Jacob, a werewolf character who figured less prominently in the first film. The budget for "Moon" is expected to be slightly higher than that of "Twilight," with a release likely for late 2009 or early 2010. "Twilight," which cost $37 million to make, has earned about $150 million at the North American box office after four weekends. Reuters/Hollywood Reporter