There’s a chance The Twilight Saga could continue after the fifth film opens in November.

The bombshell was reportedly dropped by Jon Feltheimer, the chief executive officer of Lionsgate Entertainment, which acquired Twilight studio Summit Entertainment for $412.5 million on Friday.

“I’m anticipating Breaking Dawn – Part 2 being $700 million-plus in worldwide box office,” said Feltheimer of the final (planned) installment in the hit vampire franchise.

According to the Los Angeles Times, when asked whether Lionsgate could envision more Twilight past next fall’s fifth film, Feltheimer left the door open.

“It’s hard for me to imagine a movie that does $700 million-plus doesn’t have ongoing value,” he said. “It’s an amazing franchise that they have done a great job of maintaining with absolutely no deterioration.”

He added, “So the simple answer is, ‘Boy, I hope so.’”

It’s not clear whether a potential continuation would involve future films or a television series.

Would you want to see post-Breaking Dawn projects for Twilight?

LIONSGATE ACQUIRES SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT FOR $412.5 MILLION
Unites Two Leading Independent Media Companies
Transaction Expected to be Significantly Accretive to Lionsgate Shareholders
Brings Together Hunger Games and Twilight Young Adult Movie Franchises

SANTA MONICA, Calif. and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/—Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) (”the Company”) and Summit Entertainment today announced that Lionsgate has completed a transaction to acquire Summit for a combination of cash and stock valued at $412.5 million.

The transaction unites two leading studios with powerful brands and complementary assets, solidifying Lionsgate’s position as the world’s largest and most diversified independent entertainment company. By acquiring Summit, Lionsgate enhances its feature film and home entertainment offerings and further broadens its 13,000 title filmed entertainment library to include such titles as The Twilight Saga, The Hurt Locker and Red. The integration of both Summit’s domestic and international theatrical film operations will significantly enhance Lionsgate’s production and distribution capacity, while also extending the Company’s worldwide reach and creating a dominant international sales organization.

The transaction brings together Summit’s Twilight Saga feature film franchise, which has already grossed more than $2.5 billion at the worldwide box office, and Lionsgate’s highly anticipated Hunger Games franchise, which opens on March 23, 2012. Lionsgate will also continue to benefit from its premier television production and distribution business, its array of branded film and television properties, its suite of branded channels and its success as an innovator in creating and distributing content for digital platforms. Both the Lionsgate and Summit labels are expected to continue and be active in the production and distribution of films, although the combined company expects to realize significant synergies through the consolidation of administrative and other costs.

“This transaction continues Lionsgate’s long-term growth strategy of building a diversified worldwide media company through a combination of disciplined, accretive strategic acquisitions and organic growth while maintaining a solid balance sheet,” said Lionsgate Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer and Vice Chairman Michael Burns. “We are uniting two powerful entertainment brands, bringing together two world-class feature film franchises to establish a commanding position in the young adult market, strengthening our global distribution infrastructure and creating a scalable platform that will result in significant and accretive financial benefits to Lionsgate shareholders. Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger have built a remarkable organization, and we’re pleased to welcome Summit’s talented team to the Lionsgate family. Lionsgate’s growth has been built over the years in part by the successful acquisition and integration of companies like Trimark, Artisan, Redbus, Debmar-Mercury, Mandate and TV Guide Network and, in each case, Lionsgate has emerged stronger and the Company’s brand has become more resonant.”

“Jon Feltheimer, Michael Burns and the rest of the Lionsgate team have built an exciting and entrepreneurial content leader over the past 12 years, and we’re delighted to join together these two great companies,” said Summit Entertainment’s Co-Chairmen Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger. “We believe that the combined entity will be even greater than the sum of its parts and our dramatically enlarged media platform will create tremendous opportunities for all of us within the Summit and Lionsgate families. We want to thank our employees, whose hard work and creativity have led to the successful evolution of Summit into a leading worldwide studio, and the combination of Lionsgate and Summit will be the next chapter in creating a true global media powerhouse.”

“As demonstrated by this acquisition, Lionsgate remains focused on preserving a strong balance sheet while pursuing its long-term growth strategy,” said Dr. Mark H. Rachesky, Co-Chairman of the Lionsgate Board of Directors. “We are big believers in the increasing value of content and this transaction strengthens Lionsgate’s asset base while providing significant financial benefits, including highly visible cash flow and revenue. We are looking forward to realizing the value of a Lionsgate-Summit combination for all Lionsgate shareholders.”

The majority of the purchase price was funded with cash on the balance sheet at Summit. The remainder was funded with $55 million of existing Lionsgate cash, $45 million of cash received from a newly issued series of Lionsgate convertible notes, $50 million of Lionsgate common stock and an additional $20 million of cash or stock to be issued at Lionsgate’s option within 60 days. At closing, Summit’s existing term loan was refinanced with a $500 million debt facility, secured by the collateral of the Summit assets. Although the term loan matures in 2016, the Company anticipates repaying the loan well before the maturity date, due to the significant cash flow the business is expected to generate. In addition, this expected cash flow will facilitate the Company’s financial objective of further deleveraging Lionsgate’s balance sheet. The transaction is expected to be significantly accretive in Lionsgate’s 2013 fiscal year beginning April 1, 2012.

JP Morgan, Barclays Capital, and Jefferies served as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners on financing the acquisition for Lionsgate. JP Morgan, Barclays Capital, and Jefferies also served as financial advisors to the Company. Barclays Capital provided a fairness opinion to Lionsgate. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz served as outside legal counsel for Lionsgate. Liner Grode Stein LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP served as outside legal counsel for Summit.

LAUTNER VS R-PATTZ

WHO WILL ECLIPSE WHO WHEN MADAME TUSSAUDS LONDON
ASKS FANS TO CROWN THEIR KING OF HEARTS?

When teen heartthrob Taylor Lautner’s new wax figure joins fellow Twilight actor Robert Pattinson at Madame Tussauds this January, the world famous attraction will be asking fans to crown one of them “King of Hearts” with the right to reside in his very own VIP area.

When Taylor joins the Madame Tussauds line up his figure will stand alongside his co-star in a special VIP area in the attraction’s A-list party—BUT only until fans make their choice. Guests will be invited to cast their vote at the attraction from 26^th January – 3^rd February by visiting the dashing duo and using the simple colour coded system. Whoever is elected will take up sole residence to greet his fans in VIP style for the rest of the year.

“Both Taylor and Robert are hugely successful young A-list actors with loyal and very vocal fans who are fond of debating their respective merits,” explains Madame Tussauds PR Manager, Liz Edwards. “We wanted to do something fun to celebrate Taylor’s arrival and what better way than try and answer the ultimate question that occupies his and R-Pattz fans – who is the ultimate “King of Hearts”? When his figure enters the attraction it will be to them to decide and whoever wins the crown will take up pride of place in the A-list VIP area.”

Lautner was one of the most requested personalities in 2011 and his figure will be dressed in jeans and leather jacket combo. Pattinson’s figure joined the Madame Tussauds cast in 2010 and is one of the most popular in the attraction.

Kristen Stewart
2012 is shaping up to be KStew’s biggest year yet. In addition to saying goodbye to the character that made her a superstar, she is starring in the summer fantasy blockbuster “Snow White and the Huntsman.” Also featuring Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen and Chris Hemsworth as the Huntsman, the story is a darker twist on the classic fairy tale in which Snow White seems more like Joan of Arc than a fair maiden. Let’s just hope it’s better than last year’s “Red Riding Hood.” It couldn’t be worse.

On the other side of the movie spectrum, Stewart is also appearing in the relatively shoestring budgeted “On the Road.” I know I wrote about this film in last year’s preview, but it actually seems like it’s coming this year. Principal photography wrapped in 2010, so they’ve been in post over a year. Here’s hoping the Jack Kerouac classic will finally see the silver screen in 2012.

Taylor Lautner
After the bomb known as “Abduction” dropped and sent Lautner’s camp scurrying for the bunkers, he and his team seem to be keeping things on the DL this year. Other than “Breaking Dawn—Part 2,” Lautner doesn’t have any movies coming out in 2012. However, looking further on the horizon, he is planning a comeback in 2013 with the fantasy film “Incarceron,” alongside actress Kavinda Dissanayake. Lautner is also rumored to star alongside Dwayne Johnson in the action film “Goliath” next year. Do you think he’ll play The Rock’s son?

We won’t care if the world implodes in 2012, as long as said implosion happens after November 16. Why? That’s when “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 2″ finally hits theaters. The penultimate chapter of the saga took MTV News’ fan-voted honors for best ensemble, best couple, best dressed and, obviously, best sex scene. It’s no surprise, then, that “Breaking Dawn—Part 2″ is Hollywood Crush’s second most anticipated movie in 2012.

During our last visit to Forks, we saw Bella’s stunning vampire transformation, and screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg recently told us that she’s most looking forward to seeing Kristen Stewart portray Bella as an immortal (we definitely agree). Plus, after her scarily gaunt pregnancy look in “Part 1,” it will be a welcome change to see Bella live up to her name, which means “beautiful” in Italian.

Sixty-four celebs, five weeks of voting, four fiercely contested brackets and a surprising wild card round later, Robert Pattinson comes out on top.

The great-haired hunk has won the E! Celeb of the Year honor—for the second year in a row!

Team Jacob and Twilight haters can get to steppin’ because the evidence is crystal clear: You guys love R.Pattz. And what’s even better? Pattinson’s competitor for the final round of 2011’s tournament was his “sexy goddess” Kristen Stewart. Again.

Do you do the “Twilight” conventions often?
When I’m invited to do them, I’ll come in. I don’t do them as often as some of the other actors do. It’s a matter of who they want to be in them. It’s not about whether you want to do them or not. All the actors want to do them because it’s great to meet the fans. It’s great to show your appreciation.

Your movie, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 2,” hasn’t even come out yet. This is like a taste of what you can probably expect after that movie comes out and you’re actually visible in the film.
It’s weird because my movie doesn’t come out for another year. Everybody has read the book and they know my character. It’s as if the movie has already come out in a way. The fans are so passionate about the book and all the characters. They know more about the characters than we do. It’s not about if they’ve seen you in it yet for them. It’s the fact that you’re representing the character.

How is it stepping into the role of a centuries-old vampire? How do you prepare for something like that?
The role comes from Romania over 3,000 years ago. They didn’t have the same Romanian dialect as it is today because 3,000 years ago there was Greek, Roman, and Slavic influences. We had to learn Romanian dialect, switch it around, and add those things in so it would be a little more genuine to the time when they were human. That was the hardest thing because it doesn’t exist. You have to make it up.

That was the hardest thing, along with learning about those times 3,000 years ago. How was life then? How did they do things? They used to rule the vampire world so they were more royal. For 1,500 years they’ve been kicked out and beat by the Volturi. You’ve got the royal behavior and thought but they’ve been exiled. They don’t have that royalty anymore. Some of them just want the revenge. It’s all those things. They used to have wives. Some of them lost their wives. How does that all play into it?

So it’s more about adapting to the times as they change around them?
It’s not about the age. It’s more about the behavior, the way of doing things, and speaking. Nobody said “dude” in the 1950s. It’s more about what you take from the past and bring into today. That shows the age. You’re a vampire and you can’t get old, so it becomes more about how you dress, walk, and see the world.

The results of our comprehensive battery of year end polls are in and with nearly a million votes cast (!) the message couldn’t be more clear, as “Harry Potter” and “The Hunger Games” battled it out with “Twilight” and “Thor” for fan supremacy in nearly every category.

How lopsided were the final results? Well, in the voting for Best Movie of 2011, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows—Part 2″ edged out “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 1″ by a margin of 51.55% to 47.99%, with the other four candidates — “Bridesmaids,” “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” “The Help” and “The Muppets” — combining for only .46% of the vote.

A purported People magazine cover on which Taylor Lautner announces that he’s gay is FAKE.

The image of the supposed January 7, 2012 issue shows Lautner above the phrase “Out & Proud,” and allegedly offers the “Exclusive” that the actor is going public with a bombshell about his sexuality.

“Tired of rumors, the Twilight star opens up about his decision to finally come out,” promises the “People” cover, which quotes Lautner as saying, “I’m more liberated, and happier than I’ve ever been.”

But the magazine cover is 100% phony.

It is NOT a real People preview.

A rep for the magazine confirms to Gossip Cop exclusively that it’s “absolutely fake.”

Director Bill Condon called on Tippett Studio and its founder, Phil Tippett, to develop the whole lumberyard sequence from script to screen.

“The lumberyard sequence was great,” recalled visual effects supervisor Eric Leven. “It was first time in any of these movies that it was just the wolves in wolf form doing their wolf thing.”

Although the wolves communicate telepathically, the sequence remained dialogue-driven.

“We got into a recording room and assigned roles,” said lead animator Hans Brekke. “Then we took the dialogue track and started designing shots, which were loosely based on a storyboard sequence.”

Animators produced a computer-generated pre-visualization of all the lumberyard shots, ensuring that the “speaking” wolf (played by Ab Roller champion Taylor Lautner), would remain in the center of frame.

Armed with the previs, the filmmakers shot the scene over three days, on a lumberyard set complete with giant logs that had to be craned in. Carboard cutouts stood in for the wolves.

Back at Tippett Studio, visual effects artists used an in-house grooming tool called a Furator to create the wolves’ realistic coats and refined the animation to match the voices of the real actors.

The artists also ensured that small details, like the ears, helped demonstrate the hierarchal relationship between the different members of the wolf pack.

“It’s a very alpha thing to do, to push [the ears] forward,” said Brekke.

“It was our responsibility to make sure the wolves carry over, and that the audience feels that we’re getting the wolves right,” Leven added.

Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg got an extra gift this holiday season. With The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 continuing its blockbuster run in theaters around the world—$647.3 million in grosses and counting—Rosenberg has become the highest-grossing female screenwriter in Hollywood, with more than $2.56 billion in worldwide revenue.

‘Breaking Dawn’ Director Bill Condon Talks Collaboration with ‘Twilight’s’ Trio; Reveals Details From Next Film (Video)
In the last two weeks, the total grosses for movies Rosenberg has written surpassed those of Linda Woolverton, whose 20-year career had its biggest hit in 2010 with the Tim Burton-directed Alice in Wonderland adaptation. That Disney release cleared the billion-dollar mark ($1.024 billion) and stands as the ninth-highest-grossing movie of all time. The Lion King, which Woolverton also co-wrote, is now 14^th on that list thanks to a recent 3D re-release, with $945.6 million in worldwide revenue. Combined with her other produced work, those movies contribute the lion’s share of Woolverton’s $2.39 billion total.

………………

Here’s the breakdown:

Melissa Rosenberg
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011)—$647.3m worldwide (and counting)
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)—$698.5m worldwide
The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)—$709.8m worldwide
Twilight (2008)—$392.6m worldwide
Step Up (2006)—$114.2m worldwide