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Eclipse Director David Slade on Twilight - “Just Shoot Me”

Posted on Sunday, May 3rd, 2009 by Brendon Connelly

When Peter compiled his epic and useful list of directors, actors and screenwriters plugged into Twitter, one of those included was Hard Candyman David Slade. Today, however, it seems like Slade’s Twitter account has been deleted, which is a crying shame. Besides the loss of an interesting tweeter, another of the reasons this is unfortunate is that the deletion covers Slade’s tracks a little and hides a rather amusing little attack he launched on the Twilight franchise.

That being the very same Twilight franchise Slade has subsequently signed up to, and for which he will be directing the third installment, Eclipse. Oops.

So, the original Tweet might be gone but after the break we have audio of Slade ripping into Twilight and, if nothing else, its quite funny stuff… and I can’t help wondering what Summit Entertainment, the Twilight cast and Stephenie Meyer think about it?

This clip comes from the BDK movie show on WJFK in Washington DC. The show goes out every Friday night from 7p to 10pm EST and has featured me as a guest now a couple of times, and I’ll be back this Friday the 8th May too. Slade came up in conversation during last night’s show and the show’s host, Kevin McCarthy promised to dig up this gem from their archives. With Kevin’s blessing we present the clip here for you now:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

And for those of you who can’t listen at the moment, here’s my best transcript:

…and so yesterday we were trying to find a movie to see and we’d seen all the good ones, you know, and there was nothing really coming out this weekend that we really fancied at all and having directed a vampire film and really gone for something completely different to the kind of romantic, you know, repressed hormone teen vampire movie we really weren’t interested in seeing Twilight but a lot of people said lets go so I wrote -

“Twilight drunk? No, not even drunk. Twilight on acid? No, not even on acid? Twilight at gun point? Just shoot me.”

[That’s like] a poem in a way [...] at this point excites me even though people think I’m a really violent and unpleasant person I actually do have this romantic violent side to me. Maybe I should have seen Twilight.

The full Slade interview can be downloaded in one, two mp3s. If you enjoyed that, the remainder of the BDK archive is online and perhaps you might want to sift through it and see what other gems you might uncover.

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Tags

Adaptation, Quotes, Romance, Summit Entertainment, Teen, , ,

  • Bob Funn
    Is there really a need to poison this opportunity for David to possibly bring a harder edge to the twilight series? 'beeeiiiitchth pleeeth"

    For the record I thought '30 days of night' really missed the mark, but he can only make 'Eclipse' better.
  • Carol
    I disagree! As a LOVER of horror and especially vampires I enjoyed "30 days of night". Was it oscar material "no" but that's not why us horror fanatics of the world see these flicks! I have read all 4 books in the Twilight series and loved them (ofcourse) but the moment I heard they had chosesn Slade I was horrified! If Eclipse was all about the Volturi then I am sure he would be a great choice. He will do a great job with the fight scene but that is only part of the movie, it's still a love story and I don't see him translating the book they way those of use who fell in love with the story do! Let's face it, the books speak to the teenage girl/women in us not "man".
  • I'll have to see how this turns out
  • Zinc
    Goes to show you how desperate for money some directors are.
  • PaaayyyycheecckkkxD
  • Benj
    yo man, let the dude get to his hustle.
  • Wow not even on acid ... that's a bold statement
  • Brad
    Hard Candy was an awful movie, shot almost entirely in close up. Seriously watch it again if you want - 95% of the film is in close up. I've never seen anything like it and I don't mean that in a good way.

    And 30 Days of Night was about 2 hours of mediocrity.

    Twilight may have sucked but this guy really doesn't have much room to talk.
  • There are plenty of movies that use close ups like Hard Candy did. It was meant to increase the feeling of suspense and dread, because we are so close to the actors, we have trouble seeing what's coming for them. The point of that movie was to make the audience uncomfortable, and that was a great way to accomplish that.
    You can complain that you didn't like the movie, but don't say the filmmaking techniques Slade used were in any way "awful". If you do some research or learn a bit about cameras, you will find that Slade actually used some very interesting techniques that are actually great examples if one is teaching a class on cinematography and directing.
  • nelson
    maybe he signed up because he wanted to change it and make it hard edged but who knows

    Truth be told Chris Nolan could sign up to do this project and it would still suck .It doesn't matter who you get to direct the source material is still crap only way to make it good is change the whole story.But we may get crying teenage girls bitching how you ruined twilight .
  • I agree. So the dude hated twilight. Maybe he decided he didn't like how the direction the director took and wants to change it.
  • This may be harsh but a nation of teenage girls crying over their series ruined may be hilarious.
  • that's not harsh, it's natural. you're not alone.
  • PiscesChick
    haha, no its not harsh. Trust me, I'm one of those teenage girls, and even I think its hilarious. so that just shows how bad its gotten lol
  • Justme
    I would not cry but be the one at the sid elaughing and bad tempered though don't hold it angainst him cuz i said but stuff about twiligh before i read the book, i critisised the film so much not the story line but the acting coming from some of the actors (though i still do it).
    Though i critisized it more b4 i saw the movie.
  • starscream9289
    I just don't give a damn about Twilight.
  • Big Daddy Kev... can we not?
  • He's not the first person tied to this franchise that has come out and stated their dislike for it. I'm surprised that the studio hasn't come out and put a gag order on everyone working on them about their true feelings.

    And yet they'll cash the checks and go to work on bringing it to life.
  • Prisoner24601
    It's funny because I definitely noticed his Twitter being deleted immediately after I read the announcement.

    I had my beefs with 30 Days of Night and Hard Candy, but I thought they were superbly directed and gorgeous to look at (especially 30 Days of Night). I can't help but feel like Slade's talent is being wasted here. Though Hardwicke was also too good to use on this embarrassment of a franchise.
  • Twilight drunk? No, not even drunk.
    Twilight on acid? No, not even on acid?
    Twilight at gun point? Just shoot me.

    Twilight and I make $3.2 million and a cut of the back end? Yes, when can I start.
  • Twilight drunk? No, not even drunk.
    Twilight on acid? No, not even on acid.
    Twilight at gun point? Just shoot me.

    Twilight and I make $3.2 million and a cut of the back end? Yes, when can I start.
  • Weyland_Yutani
    I won't hold this against him. It just makes me curious to see if he will use the studio good-will to make something good after he cashes in on Twilight.
  • i absolutely hate the host of this pod cast. i've listened to a couple of his interviews, and he is absurdly obnoxious. seriously, he needs to switch to decaf, do an hour and a half of yoga, sit in a room full of puppies, and just maybe he'll be tolerable.

    "yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, totally man!! hahahahaha!! i, i, i, i, i, i, i gotta say..."

    ugh. listen to this jack ass again at gun point? just shoot ME.
  • Mira Fox
    The Twilight franchise already sucks... if he can bring a harder edge to the films, I say why not. I can't wait for the Twihards to get a hold of this though, they're going to eviscerate him.
  • Laura
    why even post this article? To start rumors trouble what?

    Give the guy a chance, in sure Eclipse WILL be way different then Twilight, Thank God.
  • To report on what he did and said because it is interesting. Simple, really.
  • Jennifer
    What a jerk.
    Maybe it's not too late for Summit to get BAYONA! He'd kick Slade's ass anyway, any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
  • Avery
    It would be a big mistake for anyone to assume/think that only 'teenage girls' care about this franchise.

    It's the adult WOMEN Slade had better be worried about. Life experience under our belt makes us VICIOUS about what we love and want to protect. ;)

    Slade, this is a ROMANCE at heart, not a stupid gore-fest.
    An edge? Fine - great. Eclipse deserves that.

    But please find that tiny 'romantic' (and not linked with violent, please) part of yourself and stay true to what this series is all about.

    I think it's sad he's willing to cash in on something he doesn't even believe in/care about. That's hypocrisy in its highest form. It seems as if he views 'Eclipse' as a cash cow and is willing to sell his own standards to get on board, huh? (you know, since he's apparently 'so far above' Twilight . . . )

    Man, I hope they fire him.
    Bayona, yes please!! GET HIM BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!!
  • KathyLyne
    what Romance? the entire Twilight saga is an insult to females every where. There is absolutely no basis for the main characters' relationship to exist at all (seriously, they were just oggling each other and all of a sudden it's 'true love'), not to mention the whole foundation of the story, the main character is a selfish cunt who gives up everything in her life just to be with this guy who she knows nothing about other than that he's nice to look at. The entire thing is basically an ugly fat girl's fanfiction website account.
  • What is this director talking about? Twilight sucking? I think he should really take a look at his resume and see that he did do 30 days of night wich was truly a mediocre movie, just 2 hours of complete non-sense and summit picked this so called director to do the twilight franchise? Nuts, just Nuts. We'll have to wait and see but i think that he only took it because as my fellow commenter Avery said He saw eclipse as a cash cow, because twilight saga has an enormous fanbase and he apparently was to cash in on the action too. It's sad to see a director like this directing such great book turned into movie, is just sad truly, they should pick another one before is too late!! He doesn't care and that is what it is.
  • caisee
    haha i don't personally know any teenage girls that love the books... i know they exist but i think there are more young adults than anything! i'm 22 and the thought the story was very sweet and enjoyed every minute of it. it turned non-readers into readers and that says a lot. i think it was pretty stupid of david slade to make that comment. i have never heard anything good about his movies and wasn't exactly pleased to find out he was directing eclipse. this should be....... interesting... eclipse seems to have the most romance, haha so um.... yeah.... i don't think this will go well.
  • John Haverford
    "it turned non-readers into readers and that says a lot"

    That says nothing. The Twilight franchise is trash. I subjected myself to the reading of the first two books so I would have an argument, and I can't recall a more painful reading experience. I waded through hundreds of pages of poorly written teen-girl fantasy bullshit and felt my brain melting while doing so. I can say with conviction that the Twilight franchise is the most utterly banal piece of useless shit that I have ever read, and is the worst possible source material for any form of adaptation. Period.
  • caisee
    Well that's your opinion, but if it is such "shit" why has it made countless millions? Teen girls are not the only readers- woman of ALL ages have enjoyed the book completely. Don't be an idiot. If you don't like it, don't read it and leave people who do enjoy the series alone.
  • Karrie
    yeah, i agree caisee. My sister is 25 and hadn't ever read a full book in her life. Hell, I doubt she's ever even read a full magazine in her life, and she read all 4 of the Twilight Saga in about a week. I know she would be pissed to have the movies ruined. I personally thought that Twilight was mediocre compared with the book, but I understand they were working with a low budget. Given the amount of money and hype surrounding the series now, New Moon and Eclipse should be better, but not if they let some jackass who doesn't even care about it direct it. Ugh... what a waste.
  • Becky
    If he doesn't really like twilight, he shouldn't have taken the job. This ass is going to ruin the film. I for one hope the cast and stephenie meyer don't let him kill the movie.
  • Wtf? Summit is letting him direct? What an a$$hole. Yep, he is definitely willing to cash in on something he sees as below him. I guess he probably needs some money after his sucky movies he has directed so far. He is looking for a sure money maker and found one. And Twilight is a HUGE success even if some of the middle-aged men above me disagree. Check out the box office earnings. It's not just teen girls. College kids (of both genders) are also in love with these books, and as mentioned above many adult women are followers of the series as well. I even know an Army colonel who enjoys the series. It has a good story line.
  • Shona
    What the HELL is he doing directing eclipse then? He's not even a talented director, his movies have all been CRAP, and now he has the nerve to say that about twilight????? Im an avid fan of the series and I am DISGUSTED that this is the man they have chosen to direct eclipse, my personal FAVOURITE book out of the entire series! A director needs to have an actual love for the series, or else (no surprise) its not going to be NEARLY as good as what its capable of. Here we go, we have just put our beloved book into the hands of someone who is likely going to treat it with no more devotion or respect than he would his dog's favourite chew toy. Summit, is it too late to fire him??? Because let me tell you, after hearing this, tilight and new moon fans are going to be SERIOUSLY pissed off.
  • Erika
    I agree with you, WTF is Summit thinking putting Eclipse in the hands of this hack? Eclipse is by far, my favorite book of the series I am deeply disappointed that they have hired a director who is not at least a fan of the series. While I agree that the movie Twilight could have been done better, considering the budget it had, it was fine. I am looking forward to New Moon, if the casting choices (for the wolf pack) are any indication, I think this movie will be very good. Maybe we can start an online petition to have Slade fired?? I just hope that if he tries to ruin anything that the actors and Stephanie will put his ass on check...
  • Mary
    It's a shame that this Director was in it just for the money, just another Project, a Business transaction, $$$$$, which is not wrong, but his first priority should have been to take Care of the story with tender gloves, as told in the book. The audience is of all ages, Huge! Hollywood has forgotten that at the end of day their business is to make good movies, to tell the story as told!!
  • La bruja
    Funny he should say that cause i thought the EXACT same thing..about 30 days of night. I actually had to turn it OFF within 45 minutes of it i got so bored. I dont think i have EVER done that while watching a vampire movie before. thats sad.
    Get rid of this guy FAST and PLEASE find JUAN ANTONIO BAYONA so he can bring out the best of Eclipse. I guarantee at least this guy respects the projects he is involved in.
    Even is he was "supossedly joking" it is a very stupid thing to joke about especially when you will be involved in the Twilight Saga soon.
  • Lola
    I AGREE!!! PLEASE I AM BEGGING..FIND JUAN ANTONIO BAYONA AND ASK HIM IF HE WOULD CONSIDER DIRECTING ECLIPSE PLEASE! HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ONE ANYWAY FORM THE START. They are making a BIG,HUGE mistake with this David guy. TRUST ME. YOU WILL SEE and COME ON, Seriously..David OVER Juan Antonio Bayona? Seriously? What is Summit thinking?
  • Ahahahaha...the whiny girls have surfaced. So he thought Twilight (the movie) sucked, big fucking deal! Maybe he's seen something in the screenplay for Eclipse that he wants to work with, sure it's coupled with a paycheck, we all need to work. This comment is no big. He has a job to do and he'll do it. I swear, I hate most Twilight fans, the overreacting tweens/teens/women need to get a life outside of the books and the story. I read the books, loved the story (not the writing) and found a bit of entertainment in the movie (which was NOT a good movie). What is really ruining Twilight for me is all these raging fans crying louder than the most pessimistic fanboy.
  • Tuilinn
    In relevance to above, with all due respect, us whiny fangirls have a valid point. everyone is entitled to their opinion, so are you, and so is he. That isn't the issue at hand here. The issue is that being a director, he should know better than to blatantly lash out at another directors work, when his own isn't exactly of the highest quality.
    Also, you cannot deny that he clearly does not have much respect for the series as the romantic story that it is, or any respect for it at all, come to think of it. Its not so much to ask that the millions of fans of this series worldwide have a director that they feel they can trust with their beloved book.

    Harry potter fans got their directors.
    lord of the rings fans got their director.
    It seems fair to me that Twilight fans, that have equalled, if not outstripped the two above in numbers, get THEIR ideal director. Or else one thats pretty close.
    This guy in my opinion, is NOT that director.
  • the difference is that harry potter and lord of the rings have decent source material.

    should the hardy boys fan get their directors? what about the box car children? nancy drew? i could keep going.
  • Tuilinn
    One could argue that for having over a billion fans worldwide, there must be SOMETHING in those books that are worth reading, no matter what people might say about the source material.

    The difference in twilight and the hardy boys is the number of fans your dissapointing if it goes wrong. and that is one BIG difference.
  • Tuilinn
    dont get me wrong, everyone is entitled to their opinion of course! its not the fact that he is criticising twilight that gets me, criticism is what makes people improve!! It wasn't that good a film, even i agree there. I just cant grasp why he would sign up for something he clearly doesn't even like. it's a big responsibility to an awful lot of people who love those books, and he is rather stomping on it.

    Forget that this is twilight, it would be the same with any popular series.
  • I would like to suggest that you actually listen to the second part of the interview. He did not make those comments maliciously. Everyone says things joking around and that is what he did, he's not obligated to be a fan of Twilight. This whole reasoning so many fans use makes me laugh. He might not have found the movie to be of interest to him, but maybe he found something in the screenplay of Eclipse that does. Ostracizing a man for making an off handed comment is silly and immature.
  • water lily
    What he said was his honest opinion. So what. I didn't think Twilight was done well at all, and I know alot of people who wouldn't want to watch it. That being said I am a huge twilight saga fan (and an adult, contrary to the popular stereotype) and I hope he can, at the very least, fake interest and crank out a quality flick. I don't care if he likes it or not, as long as he can capture the tone of the book and produce quality work, which is something that escaped the poorly funded, though passionate Hardwick. I really don't think he's any different than the big name celebs (Kim Kardashion, Drew Barrymore, Dakota Fanning) who namedrop or sign onto the franchise now that it's popular. It's Hollywood. Get over it.
  • dude, catherine hardwick might have made some bad decisions in the first movie. but they followed her past and didn't improve much from her previous movies. so what makes you all think that because his other movies bombed david slade is going to make eclipse better? if the pattern continues, eclipse is going to tank. which will leave us with a trilogy with only one good movie in it- new moon. summit should have wised up and picked a better director...
  • Patty
    David If you dont like the series why are you going to direct ECLIPSE??? $$$$$$$$ is writen on his forehead...

    Silly people this isnt about teenagers its about these great books/story that Stephenie has created for everyone. I'm no where close to been a teenager and LOVE this books.
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