Among her follow-up projects, she has been picked to reteam with her "Lords of Dogtown" star Emile Hirsch on what has been called a supernatural version of "Hamlet" at a liberal arts college. It is being developed by Overture Films.
Hardwicke, whose other films includes teen coming of age tale "Thirteen" and biblical drama "The Nativity Story" spoke to Reuters about connecting with teenagers and life after "Twilight."
Q: You obviously have a knack for dealing with teens.
A: "I respect all the teenagers I work with and feel that everything they have to say is just as valuable as anything I have to say. My first movie was written with a 13-year-old girl (Nikki Reed on "Thirteen"). It was about her life so she knew more about that than I did. We can learn from everybody."
Q: You must become like a surrogate mother to them, no?
A: "Well Nikki is kind of like my fake adopted daughter and so is Sarah Blakely-Cartwright, who is in all my movies in smaller parts. When they were teenagers, they'd hang out with me, we'd do slumber parties and surf camps. One of my nephews lives with me in one of my back (apartment) units right now and my nieces lived there too. I always say, "Whoever needs a place can come stay with me.' I like the open door policy.
Q: "Twilight" cost $37 million and made nearly $382 million worldwide. Do you feel pressure to top yourself?
A: "I don't think that's possible, and I don't think that's a healthy way to think. "Twilight" was a phenomenon -- the stars just aligned on that film. Thank God (director) Ridley Scott didn't stop after "Blade Runner." He made "Thelma and Louise" and "Gladiator" and a million other interesting movies. I still want to make other good films that won't lose money."
Q: How have things changed for you since "Twilight"?
A: "Right now I can say in a meeting: 'Well on 'Twilight' this is how we did it and this is how we made it work.' And people go, 'Oh wow, that movie made money.' They listen to me a little bit more than before."
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