Breaking Dawn - Part 1

Summit Entertainment, the studio behind the film adaptations of novels in the Twilight series, announced in November 2008 that it had obtained the rights to the rest of Stephenie Meyer's series, including Breaking Dawn. Breaking Dawn has been confirmed to be split in two parts. The release date of the first half of Breaking Dawn is set on November 18, 2011‎ while the second half is set on November 16, 2012.

Plot

 * See the Plot from the book.

On June 11, 2010, Summit Entertainment released a brief synopsis of the film in its entirety:

"Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn illuminates the secrets and mysteries of this spellbinding romantic epic that has entranced millions."

Cast
Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner were under contract to make four films. However, since Breaking Dawn was announced to be split into two movies, they renewed the movie contracts and other paperwork. On June 2010, Summit officially confirmed that a two-part adaption of the fourth book would start production in late 2010 and was made clear that all major actors, including the three lead roles (Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner), the Cullen family (Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz, Nikki Reed, and Jackson Rathbone), and Charlie Swan (Billy Burke), would be returning for both parts.

However, the complete numbers of cast members are yet to be notified, though it has been confirmed that the vampires Benjamin and Irina will be portrayed by actors Rami Malek and Maggie Grace. Further, according to Dana Ward on Clevver TV, Michael Welch will return for the first part of Breaking Dawn, and Bronson Pelletier will reprise in both parts.

The cast members portraying the Denali Coven were announced on September 30, 2010: Christian Camargo as Eleazar, Mia Maestro as Carmen, Casey LaBow as Kate and MyAnna Buring as Tanya.

Behind the scenes
Meyer stated in her Breaking Dawn FAQ that if a film were to be created, she thought it would have to be made into two movies because "it's hard to imagine it fitting into ninety minutes. The book is just so long! I can't imagine how to distill it—if I could, the book would be shorter." According to Variety, the studio is considering splitting the 754-page book into two films, along the same lines as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. If two films are to be made, Summit will have to negotiate new deals with the main cast, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner, since they are only under contract for four films.

Meyer also believes it may be impossible to make Breaking Dawn into a film, due to Renesmee, writing that an actress could not play her because she is a baby but has complete awareness, and that "the one thing that I've never seen is a CGI human being which truly looks real"; however, she went on to state that "they develop amazing new technologies everyday, and we've got a little time left." It is still however unknown whether Renesmee will be CGI, or if one/many actresses will portray her. There are also concerns about making a PG-13 movie adaptation, given the book's complex and graphic storylines, including the birth of a half-vampire, half-human baby. When talking about Taylor Lautner's next film for Summit Entertainment, producer Wyck Godfrey stated "Lautner will reprise his role of Jacob in Breaking Dawn beginning in late 2010, and it is likely that the final book will be divided into two films that will be shot back-to-back."

It was announced on April 28, 2010 that Bill Condon will direct the film. Filming is expected to begin in October 2010.

On July 5th, 3:48 am, on Twitter, Melissa Rosenburg, the official screenwriter for "Twilight' announced that Breaking Dawn WILL remain a PG-13 movie. She added that, quote: "I think we can get awfully [hot] with PG-13. I'm not worried about the rating. I know a lot of fans are like, 'We have to go R to do it justice', but i don't think so. I think it's going to be pretty hot. Way hot!" Rosenburg says. Rosenburg was referring to the worry of some fans about the movie being rated R because of love scenes between Edward and Bella. She added that a lot can be done in a PG-13 movie, despite what skeptics may think or say.

It was revealed by Kellan Lutz that fight training for Breaking Dawn will begin in September.

According to Summit's Twitter and Facebook, the first film will be released on November 18, 2011 and the second on November 16, 2012.

Set/Location
In July 2010, Summit announced that the movie will be shot in Vancouver, Canada, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

It has been confirmed by Nikki Reed that Bella and Edward's honeymoon -in Isle Esme- will be filmed in South Africa. Isle Esme is a fictional island off the coast of Brazil.

Trivia

 * This is the only current two part movie in the series.
 * The films have all been in a certain tint. *Twilight: Blue, New Moon: Gold, Eclipse: Gray. Breaking Dawn will be in a Red tint.