Chris Weitz to Direct "The Gardener"

By our guest blogger, Rob Stammitti

Fresh off the box-office busting "Twilight" sequel, "New Moon," director Chris Weitz has signed with the vamp-romance producing studio Summit Entertainment to direct a film called "The Gardener."

This definitely isn't a return to the fantasy genre, however. Empire says this about the film:

"This will mark a considerable change of pace from Weitz's last two films (before "New Moon," he was put through the ringer on visual effects Oscar-winning "The Golden Compass"), involving as it does... well, a gardener. A Mexican gardener, to be specific, who according to Variety, lives in Los Angeles and takes measures to protect his son. At this point we don't even know if this is a thriller, drama, comedy or rom-zom-com, but we're guessing it'll be some flavour of drama."

Weitz has gone through some drastic genre changes in his career. Most "New Moon" or "Golden Compass" fans would likely be surprised to learn he co-directed the first "American Pie" film with his brother Paul. The two also worked together on the British drama-comedy "About a Boy," and Chris' first solo project was the Chris Rock comedy, "Down to Earth."

Following troubles during the filming of "Compass" and the film's subsequent disappointing box office returns in the U.S., Weitz was ready to leave the film industry entirely. He has been reported to have said "New Moon" gave him a new lease on his career.

Weitz is an incredibly endearing filmmaker, regardless of what projects he's worked on. He brought much more assured direction to the "Twilight" sequel, so I'm glad he's decided not to quit just yet. I think it'll be great to see him tackle something a bit more low-key for the first time in quite a while.