Juan Antonio Bayona To Direct 'Eclipse'?

Many names have been tossed into the "Eclipse" director chair, but at this point the front-runner to helm the third movie in the "Twilight" saga is Guillermo del Toro protйgй Juan Antonio Bayona.

The Hollywood Reporter 's Risky Biz blog reports that the studio, Summit, declined to comment about Bayona directing the film, with a rep adding that the studio is still looking at several candidates to helm the project. Although many have been rumored to direct the film, including "New Moon" director Chris Weitz's brother, Paul Weitz, at this point Bayona seems like he's in the lead.

Most of Bayona's work has been based in the horror genre. The Spanish director was the man behind "The Orphanage." "Eclipse" would be Bayona's English-language directorial debut if he and Summit can hash out a deal.

Drew Barrymore had been rumored to direct the film, but it seems that is no longer the case. "I'm one of the directors that is being talked about, which is great, because I'm a director now," Barrymore recently told The Associated Press. "But, you know, they'll make their choice."

There was much drama surrounding the decision to replace "Twilight" director Catherine Hardwicke for "New Moon." After considerable speculation about why Summit had decided to replace Hardwicke, the director later said it was her choice to step away from the project. "I was devastated," said Hardwicke in her book, "Twilight: Director's Notebook." "I really did feel a strong connection to the people around the world that liked the movie, and to Stephenie [Meyer] and the actors. But I just didn't think I could make a good movie under those circumstances."

Drew Barrymore to Direct Third Twilight?
(E! Online)
‘Twilight’ Director Catherine Hardwicke Tells Why She Turned Down ‘New Moon’