So Chris Weitz is taking over the job director at the helm of New Moon, the upcoming sequel to Twilight that should be released in November 2009. Doing so, he is replacing Catherine Hardwicke:
Fans may have felt she did a hell of a job with first movie adaptation of Twilight. But Summit Entertainment definitely wants to switch to Director Chris Weitz for New Moon. Why such a change?
New Moon Movie Director Chris Weitz Replaces Catherine Hardwicke
Officially, Catherine Hardwicke is leaving because of timing:

“I am sorry that due to timing I will not have the opportunity to direct New Moon. Directing Twilight has been one of the great experiences of my life, and I am grateful to the fans for their passionate support of the film. I wish everyone at Summit the best with the sequel—it is a great story.”
Catherine Hardwicke
But well, I believe that Summit, who wants to make a real blockbuster, does not think that Hardwicke fits the job anymore. She’s got no experience with fantasy movies and a blockbuster budget may be overwhelming for her.
So Summit Entertainment prefers to hire Chris Weitz to direct the movie New Moon, aka Twilight 2. That’s a bold move that may backlash: Chris Weitz may be expert in doing fantasy, but Catherine Hardwicke is expert in understanding feelings and emotions. Love and characters is what drove throngs of Twilight fans to theaters. Let’s hope that Weitz will be able to mix the best of the two sides!
At least Chris Weitz shows some humility regarding his new job as director of the New Moon movie:

“I am honored to have been entrusted with shepherding New Moon from the page to the screen.”
Chris Weitz, Director of New Moon
As long as Stephenie Meyer is controlling what’s done on the set of New Moon, Catherine Hardwicke being replaced by Chris Weitz shouldn’t matter that much. The real guardian of the Twilight saga is Stephenie Meyer herself after all!

Here a short New Moon clip by Reelz that’s dwelling on the controversy (it’s also hinting at the replacement of Taylor Lautner):
:)