Writer Says Vanessa Hudgens Unlikely to Appear in ‘Twilight’ Sequel ‘New Moon’

CHICAGO – The casting rumors about “High School Musical” star Vanessa Hudgens appearing in “New Moon,” the Chris Weitz-directed sequel to the massively successful “Twilight” were deflated even more this weekend when the screenwriter for both films told People Magazine that the character Hudgens allegedly auditioned for won’t even be in the film.

Melissa Rosenberg, the screenwriter of “Twilight” and “New Moon,” ran into a People write at the 61st Annual Directors Guild of America Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday night and said, “I’m not sure about [final] casting but I had heard Vanessa Hudgens was going up for the part of Leah [Clearwater, a werewolf]. But at the moment, the part of Leah doesn’t happen until the third movie.”

Rosenberg did not rule out the possiblity of Vanessa Hudgens appearing in future “Twilight” movies, the inevitable “Breaking Dawn” and “Eclipse,” and didn’t mention anything about the rumors that Dakota Fanning has auditioned for a role.

The writer did drop a few other inside tidbits about the production of “New Moon”:

“Well, you know Taylor Lautner will be back as Jacob Black. I can tell you the original cast will all be coming back. They’re on set right now, in Vancouver! They’re all up there prepping the movie to start shooting very soon.”

Rosenberg also commented on the change in director from Catherine Hardwicke on “Twilight” to Chris Weitz on “New Moon,” “Chris Weitz directed The Golden Compass, which was a beautiful-looking film. And I think it’s wonderful we have someone who has worked with CGI animals … that will be a big part of New Moon. I’m delighted we have someone who’s so expert at that.”

Vanessa Hudgens
Photo credit: John Bramley ©Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

“Twilight,” which stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Ashley Greene and Taylor Lautner from director Catherine Hardwicke, has grossed $178 million domestically. This has put the “New Moon” sequel into production immediately and has spawned a series of casting rumors. Other books in the Stephenie Meyer series include “Eclipse” and “Breaking Dawn”.

Read our story about the open casting call for “New Moon”.
Read our story about Lucy Hale auditioning for “New Moon”.
Read our story about Dakota Fanning auditioning for “New Moon”.
Read our Vanessa Hudgens role denial story for “New Moon”.
Read our Robert Pattinson story on “Parts Per Billion” and “New Moon”.
See our 2009 Summit release slideshow with “New Moon”.
See our high-quality, 28-image “Twilight” slideshow.
Read our “Twilight” opening-weekend box-office story.
Read our “Twilight” sequel story prior to opening weekend.
Read our story about Taylor Lautner’s casting in “New Moon”.

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com