Summit’s “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” isn’t scheduled to hit U.S. theaters until midnight tonight, but it’s already scoring high – way high – with theaters around the globe. Here’s how the numbers shake out as of this afternoon:

Australia: 466 screens, $1.6 million
France: 751 theaters, $4.26 million
Italy: 625 screens, $2.7 million
Spain: 652 screens, $2.2 million

Most of the shows are sold out in my neck of the woods (Traverse City, Michigan), including ALL seven of the midnight showings.
Got your tickets yet?
 
Image: TM and © 2009 Summit Entertainment, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Before it was confirmed that Taylor Lautner would return as Jacob Black in “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” there were some dark times at the end of 2008. But he says he tried to focus on things he could control, rather than being sucked into the black hole of what was going on.
"Chris [Weitz] was always extremely supportive and I was glad to have him behind me," Lautner says. He is such a cutie! And I’m like some lovelorn Twi-hard teeny-bopper!
“New Moon” hits theaters in three days. Have you got your tickets? I do!

The cast from “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” continues to journey across the globe making appearances to promote the film (like it really needs it). Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner showed up in Madrid at the Palacio de Vistalegre.
All three of these actors are darn cute, and I love everything Kristen Stewart’s been wearing. She must have an army of people accompanying her with trunks of clothes.
The movie opens in theaters Nov. 20, 2009.

Image: Bauer-Griffin

Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and director Chris Weitz were in London today, promoting “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” at Battersea Evolution.
The crew has been jetting here, there and everywhere promoting the movie, and flew from Los Angeles to Paris on Monday, amidst throngs of screaming fans. As for whether it bothers him, Pattinson told one reporter:
“It’s when I’m in my real life, when I’m not working, when there’s less security around me, that it’s worrying,” he said. “When some girl shows up on my doorstep … In a way, it’s funny because it’s completely new to …read more

Now not only do bands tour, but casts of movies tour, too. With bands! The cast of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” is currently touring locations across the country on their Hot Topic tour, along with bands featured in the movie. I’ve got some photos of their first appearance at Hollywood and Highland in Los Angeles yesterday.
This cast is going to be so happy when the movie comes out on Nov. 20! They already look exhausted, and I’m sure they’ll be completely fried out by the end of the tour.
After the jump, check out the full list of …read more

Here’s one of the latest clips from “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” in which Jacob (Taylor Lautner) tells Bella (Kristen Stewart) about his little secret. The two grow closer after Edward (Robert Pattinson) leaves.
I know they’re supposed to be big and scary, but the wolves also look kind of cuddly, like you just want to hug one of them.
 

No, Jessica Biel hasn’t been cast in a “Twilight” movie … not yet anyway. But she recently told MTV that she wouldn’t mind it at all. Her and every other actor in Hollywood.
Asked if she’d consider joining the “Twilight” saga, Biel said, “Well, I’m clearly familiar with the films… I know the idea of what it’s about. I mean, maybe [I'd be in the next “Twilight” film]. That would be lovely. I am not opposed to playing a vampire."
You can catch her soon in “Valentine’s Day” (in theaters Feb. 12, 2010), which also stars Taylor Lautner, who plays …read more

Hey, “New Moon” fans! A special collector’s edition of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” from People Magazine is on newstands from Oct. 16 through Nov. 30, 2009.
In addition to exclusive on-set photos, interviews, and previews of the second installment of the “Twilight” series, the special edition also includes an exclusive shot of “Eclipse,” the third chapter (pictured, right).  
“Twilight” earned nearly $200 million last year, and “New Moon” will continue the story of vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), and werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner).
‘Twilight’ is about first love; ‘New Moon’ is about heartbreak,” …read more

Director Chris Weitz started tweeting on “New Moon” today, and posted a couple of fun TwitPics. Here’s one of him at the sound mixing stage, with an image of Kristen Stewart / Bella Swan on the screen behind him (you can click through to see the full image).
Weitz has been tweeting about the first official scene on Entertainment Tonight (next week), “Twilight” iTunes apps, and the fact that this is his first tweeting ever! How can that be? 
Here’s another exclusive TwitPic, of Bella and Jacob (Taylor Lautner), with Edward (Robert Pattinson) in the background.
And a few tweets from the …read more

For the past several years, Spike TV has celebrated the best in sci-fi, fantasy, horror and comic books at their annual “Scream” fest.
This year’s event, “Scream 2009,” has just signed Megan Fox and Quentin Tarantino to participate.
They’ll join Tobey Maguire, the cast of HBO’s “True Blood,” Hugh Jackman, Liv Tyler, Eliza Dushku, Jackie Earle Haley, Sam Raimi, John C. Reilly, Eli Roth, “The Big Bang Theory” Cast, Elijah Wood, “Vampire Diaries” Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley and lots of others.
The event will be taped at the Greek Theater and air Oct. 27 at 10 p.m. …read more