New Moon director Chris Weitz is set to go to work immediately on his next film for Summit, Variety reports.
Deals are in the works for Weitz to start on The Gardener, about a hard-working immigrant who lives in Los Angeles and his efforts to protect his son. Eric Eason wrote the screenplay.
Weitz said he will begin production in March or April. “There are no werewolves or vampires, just a Mexican gardener in Los Angeles,” Weitz said.
Weitz also dispelled reports that he would stop directing movies after The Gardener, an assertion that came from an interview he gave to MovieMaker magazine.
Referring to his unpleasant experience on New Line’s Golden Compass — the film was taken away from him for the final edit — Weitz told Variety, “It was an utter violation of my status as a director and the worst thing that has happened to me professionally.” Although he “bit through my tongue” when that film was released out of loyalty to cast and crew, he was very happy to see New Moon surpass grosses of The Golden Compass.
“I was treated badly, it was almost like they never read the books. They seemed frightened of offending the right. This was a wonderful experience by comparison.”
