Variety is reporting that Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke will not return to direct the sequel to the breakaway abstinence only tween vampire hit, New Moon. Does this mean that the next movie in the series will make any fucking sense? Say it ain’t so:

… in an unusual move after the successful launch of a franchise that has already generated $138.6 million, the upstart distrib is not bringing director Catherine Hardwicke back to direct the picture. Summit and Hardwicke cite Summit’s wish to rush the movie into production as one reason for their split. Summit wants to release the picture, which will demand substantial CGI work, by the end of 2009 or the start of 2010. A former production designer, Hardwicke wanted more prep time.

Oh, you mean it’s going to be even more rushed and shoddily produced than the first one, but this time with rushed and shoddily produced “substantial CGI work” on top of it? Whew.

Did I mention I’m totally free to direct a major studio adaptation in 2009? Call me!