Soon after finding a director, “Twilight” sequel “New Moon” now also has a release date.

The second installment of the vampire series will open Nov. 20, 2009, just 12 months after the first movie debuted amid fanfare at the box office.

It will be up against some tough competition. Also scheduled to hit theatres that weekend are Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes,” the as-yet-untitled Three Stooges project and Sony’s animated feature “PLANET 51.”

Chris Weitz, whose credits include “The Golden Compass” and “American Pie,” was confirmed last week as the next director to bring Stephenie Meyer’s book series to the big screen.

“I am honored to have been entrusted with shepherding ‘New Moon’ from the page to the screen,” Weitz said in a statement released Saturday.

“The extraordinary world that Stephenie has created has millions of fans, and it will be my duty to protect on their behalf the characters, themes and story they love. This is not a task to be taken lightly, and I will put every effort into realizing a beautiful film to stand alongside a beautiful book.”

“Twilight,” directed by “Thirteen” helmer Catherine Hardwicke, has taken in US$150 million at the box office since opening Nov. 21.






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