Despite turning an underdog movie into a box office cause celeb, director Catherine Hardwicke will not return to direct New Moon, Summit Entertainment’s sequel to Twilight, also based on the Stephanie Meyer novel of the same name. In Hardwicke’s place is a more recognizable name, perhaps… but also perhaps not for good reasons.

Chris Weitz, the newly-dubbed director for New Moon, is best known for starting the craze known as American Pie. His other work includes About A Boy and Golden Compass. Given that Twilight made its mark without sex, violence or notable foul language, Weitz’ resume may not inspire much confidence.

Still, he has been given the blessing of author Meyers, which may be worth something; let’s just hope New Moon doesn’t turn into a romp about a bunch of vamps and humans peeping on others having sex and throwing wild parties hoping to get laid, since that’s pretty much what American Pie was all about. I think the guy down the street who sells horse supplies might have inspired more confidence in me; but only time will tell.