'Twilight' sequel brings producers back to Kalama

KALAMA — Film crews could return to Kalama High School this spring to shoot footage for a sequel to the hit teen-vampire flick “Twilight.”

Several producers and director Chris Weitz ­— who didn’t direct the original “Twilight” — visited the school last week, said Kalama Superintendent Jim Sutton. The sequel is called “New Moon,” the title of the second of four novels in the popular series by author Stephenie Meyer.

“The whole point of the trip was to show Chris Weitz all the locations they used up here in the Northwest,” Sutton said.

The visit was short, and moviemakers didn’t commit to filming at the school again, Sutton said. It’s possible they shot enough footage during the filming of “Twilight” last spring to supply the sequel, he noted.

If additional footage is requested, “they would need to start shooting at the end of March or early April,” Sutton said.

That time frame sounds workable, Sutton said, but requires approval by the Kalama School Board before they get the green-light.

Film crews last visited Kalama High School in late March to film “Twilight,” which turned into a box office hit, generating $70 million in its opening weekend alone. The original books are based in Forks, Wash.

Sutton said Kalama residents were pleased to see their school on the big screen.

“Twilight” also gave a slight boost to the Kalama economy. The school district received a $29,500 check from the production company for facility use, plus a donation to the student body. Port of Kalama received $2,000 to allow film crews to park their cars on port property five days.

Source: TDN