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Summit Casts New Moon’s Wolf Pack

Posted on Monday, March 23rd, 2009 by Peter Sciretta

new moon logo

Summit Entertainment announced today that Native American/First Nation actors Chaske Spencer, Bronson Pelletier, Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon and Tyson Houseman have signed on to star as the members of the wolf pack in The Twilight Saga: New Moon.

I’m not going to pretend to have interest in this series, but it is nice to see Summit and director Chris Weitz have chosen to honor the original novel/story and have not recast the group with bigger name Caucasian actors. Films like Dragonball, The Last Airbender and Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time have recently been criticized for changing or stretching the ethnicity of the characters in an effort to make the films more marketable. Others could argue that the cultural origins of the wolfpack is more important to the story than the previously mentioned films. You can read the full press release after the jump.



SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT RUNS WITH THE WOLF PACK IN THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON

Chaske Spencer, Bronson Pelletier, Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon and Tyson Houseman to Star as Members of Wolf Pack

Los Angeles, CA March 23, 2009 – Summit Entertainment announced today that Native American/First Nation actors Chaske Spencer, Bronson Pelletier, Alex Meraz, Kiowa Gordon and Tyson Houseman have signed on to star as the members of the wolf pack in THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON. In the film, the wolf pack defends humans against vampires although they have a tribal history intricately entwined with Edward Cullen and his family. The wolf pack members will join Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and fellow wolf pack member Taylor Lautner in the film directed by Chris Weitz which will be released domestically November 20, 2009.

In THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is devastated by the abrupt departure of her vampire love, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) but her spirit is rekindled by her growing friendship with the irresistible Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner). Suddenly she finds herself drawn into the world of the werewolves, ancestral enemies of the vampires, and finds her loyalties tested.

Each member of the wolf pack is of Native decent. Spencer is Lakota (Sioux), Pelletier is Cree-Metis, Meraz is Purepecha (Tarasco), Gordon is Hualapai, and Houseman, who was discovered at an open casting call, is Cree. Casting of the wolf pack was overseen by award-winning casting director Rene Haynes who is well-known for her work on Native projects ranging from DANCES WITH WOLVES to BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE.

The action-packed, modern day vampire love story and blockbuster success of the first film in the series entitled TWILIGHT was released in theatres on November 21, 2008 grossing $69.6 million domestically during its first weekend. To date the film has grossed nearly $380 million worldwide. TWILIGHT was released on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD this past Saturday, March 21st and sold over 3 million DVD units in its first day of release making it one of the top five best first day DVD releases over the past two years.

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Adaptation, Casting, Horror, Romance, Sequels, Summit Entertainment, , , , , ,

  • So they finished most of the casting, shooting starts when? and the film is due Novemeber 2009. Dang talk about cutting it close.

    It will be intersting to see if the movie is as rushed as the production
  • They started shooting last week up in Vancouver, but yeah, it is a little bit of a rushed production.
  • Lightning
    November 2009, as you say.
    But personaly, I wouldn't mind waiting even longer if it's going to be a great work. And I have a feeling it will be. Just if they stick with the book^^
  • Good thing about the ethnicity being kept honest, that is pretty neat. I am still very intrigued as to how this Twilight sequel will turn out considering how rushed the production and post production will be.
  • Lightning
    I agree with you.
    Well, we'll see. We still hold the great hopes it will be a knock out! After all, Twilight was really very successful, many people are holding their thumbs for New Moon being even better. Personaly, I dont mind waiting even longer for it as long as it is done properly.
  • glad to hear that, even tho I hate twilight. good to represent people of color.
  • gah
    true but the author is Mormon so we'll see how well they're portrayed before you start praising.
  • this is good i unno about anyone else but seeing goku in dragon ball is hard to take.
  • this is really great for all these actors. the film (regardless of how bad it may turn out to be) is going to make a lot of money, and these guys will definitely get their faces out there.
  • Palmer
    Wow, the one series I hate with such a passion is actually sticking close to the source material. Kudos to them and their giant teen/tween fanbase.
  • Here we take a look at this copy of what you have specific:gaia gold
  • I can't wait! And did they really rush? Wow it's been a long time since I've been on here!
  • lol. Hi Jece.
  • Excellent, I hope the guys cast benefit from the popularity of this franchise and make a solid wolf pack.
  • I wondered if they would find anyone when they did their HUGE open casting call for Native Americans... and apparently one of the wolf pack is from that casting call... but I'm glad all the rest are also Native Americans! That will be good exposure for them.

    Also they have been filming for a little while now, it seems... it's just been all 'closed sets' but the Twilight websites have managed to get a few pictures out of them filming like the cliff diving scenes, the motorcycle scenes, etc. I saw pictures a few weeks ago with all the 'Cullen's in costume but not sure if that was just a 'dress rehearsal'' or actual filming... still they are rushing all of this
  • Corina
    On the edge of my seat , and just can't wait for the new film New Moon to come out.
    Wow ! My kids have Harry Potter, and I have this cool world of mystery , darkness,
    excitment, let alone the sound track ! Woo woo, Just can't wait .
  • Lightning
    Well, seems like we all belong to it in some part :) So it is not strange. This is the fantasy which is easy connected with reality. Because it IS real, as long as we dream of it :)
    I cant wait for it either! After all, New Moon is my favorite part! Maybe because Jacob is my favorite ^^
  • freemachine
    Sounds like the Wolf Pack will be the best part of the movie.
  • Lightning
    I may say I agree ^^
  • shorty
    omg i saw a pic of the pack and they ar every hawt!...lol..this is going to be the best part!^_^:D
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