Twilight moves three million, New Moon gets werewolves

Here we go again with the Twilight stuff.

The first film in the irrepressible overnight franchise debuted on DVD on Saturday, and it became an instant hit amid an otherwise gloomy home-video market. The movie sold roughly three million copies in its first day after Summit Entertainment passed over a customary Tuesday release for a high-profile weekend launch (midnight release parties on Friday were widespread). The numbers are on par with the first-day sales of The Dark Knight in December.

This, of course, after the movie pulled in $191 million in North America alone on a $37 million budget. Twilight also debuted day-and-date on OnDemand with some special features attached, one of the most aggressive pushes yet for a major movie to fit into the new instant-access digital paradigm.

As more proof the franchise knows no end, Summit also announced it has cast American Indian actors in five werewolf parts in the sequel, New Moon. Relative unknowns Chaske Spencer, Bronson Pelletier, Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon and Tyson Houseman will fill out the “Wolf Pack,” a central element of the movie.

Directed by Chris Weitz (The Golden Compass), New Moon is set to open Nov. 20.

Related links:
News: Taylor Launter in for Twilight sequel, DVD details emerge
News: Director Catherine Hardwicke out for Twilight sequel
Review: Twilight

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