Every time I think I published my last article about Twilight something new comes along. Be it pictures of what look like Kristen Stewart smoking weed, or her looking like a cheap prostitute at the UK premiere of Twilight, it just won’t go away.

Now the Hollywood Reporter is reporting that director Catherine Hardwicke will not be returning to direct the sequel, New Moon.

“The Reporter cited filming schedule as the reason for the decision. Hardwicke is said to have wanted more prep time, but the studio was unable to accommodate because they’re looking to get the project in theaters by late 2009 or early 2010.” — via The Monitor

It is kind of strange that Hardwicke couldn’t clear her schedule to direct one of the biggest and most successful film franchises since Harry Potter. I suspect it was something bigger than her needing more “prep time.” Maybe she just doesn’t want to make crap anymore, or perhaps the annoying obsessive fans already drove her nuts? Whatever it was, Summit Entertainment is sticking to their story for now, and have not yet announced a new director. I wonder who it will be? We will keep you posted if you care or not, because Twilight is big money for us all. Deal with because it’s not going away!

UPDATE: I was right! It was more than a scheduling conflict that got her ass fired. From Deadlinehollywooddaily.com:

“The word from inside Summit is that Hardwicke, the acclaimed ‘Thirteen’ director, was ‘difficult’ and ‘irrational’ during the making of ‘Twilight.’”

Another source revealed, “Summit didn’t like her. They’re saying the DP [director of photography] Elliot Davis is the one responsible for the film’s sumptuous visual look, that the editor Nancy Richardson had to save the film in post-production, and Summit thought Hardwicke’s [CAA] agent Beth Swofford was alternately ineffectual and hysterical [when it came to controlling her client].”