The third spot went to the disaster flick, 2012. It brought in another $18 million. Despite simply awful reviews, Old Dogs, with John Travolta and Robin Williams, did a respectable $16.8 million for fourth place. The animated A Christmas Carol took in $16 million for fifth place. [Source]

Gallery link:
• ‘New Moon’ Screening In New York City 11/19/2009 (x235)

The second film in Summit Entertainment’s blockbuster franchise outright doubled Twilight’s opening weekend of $69.6 million, and it did so almost entirely with a female audience: a whopping 80 percent of New Moon tickets went to women.

Theatergoers were evenly split between those under 21-years-old and over, and they were clearly satisfied, giving New Moon a solid “A-” CinemaScore rating. Despite the film’s sharp drop from its record-setting $72.7 million opening day – New Moon’s Saturday total was $43.2 million, and it’s estimated to take in $24.8 million on Sunday – it’s abundantly clear that Bella, Edward, and Jacob have plenty to howl about: worldwide, New Moon raked in $258.8 million. [Source]

Pattinson, 23, was the first star to post on Summit Entertainment’s official “Twilight” Twitter page, writing “Thank you for making NEW MOON #1. It’s very exciting to be a part of something embraced by so many people. I hope you are looking forward to ECLIPSE as much as I am.”

His costar – and rumored real-life love interest – followed suit, with three consecutive postings, which were read by Summit’s 162,700 followers.

“You all have proven you’re the most amazing fans in the world once again,” the 19-year-old actress wrote, before echoing Pattinson’s appreciative sentiments about making the movie tops at the box office.

“Yes, I twittered,” Stewart confirmed. “Or twitted..tweeted? I dunno, but thank you sooo much anyway..!”

The second installment in the “Twilight” film franchise, “New Moon” grossed a stellar $140.7 million during its first weekend in theaters, earning $72.7 million on its Friday opening day alone. Its follow-up film, “Eclipse,” will hit theaters in June. [Source]

Gallery link:
• ‘New Moon’ Regal Benefit Screening In Knoxville 11/17/2009 (x28)

Gallery link:
• ‘New Moon’ Los Angeles Premiere After Party 11/16/2009 (x27)

Gallery link:
• ‘New Moon’ Los Angeles Premiere 11/16/2009 (x321)

Kristen shared, “In a way it’s almost the coolest opportunity that an actor could be given because we only get to explore a character for more than six weeks, which is what I’m used to on an independent movie. I’ve never been able to share it with so many people, share what I love…it’s a once in a lifetime movie so I’ll never have this again. It’s a phenomenon for a reason.” [Source]

Pattinson, 23, Stewart, 19, and Lautner, 17, went from bit parts to big stars with the first “Twilight” film. As they prepare for the release Friday of the anticipated sequel, “New Moon,” the young cast reflected on the ups and downs of newfound fame.

What is the best thing to come out of the “Twilight” mania for you?
Kristen: It’s the same satisfaction that I get from any other movie, it’s just that so many more people are paying attention. I always say I make movies for the life experience – literally, you steal from the characters you play – and to know that that’s actually affecting 100 million not only little girls, but really spans the ages of people, it just feels good. It’s so different from anything I’ve ever experienced, so that’s definitely the best thing.

What’s one thing you miss from your pre-”Twilight” life?
Kristen: I like being outside. I like to take walks and I could totally take walks – it’s not the fans, the fans are great, they would let me walk. It’s the other people, you know what I mean. It’s the other people.

What has been your most memorable fan encounter?
Kristen: There were two girls that wound up in Italy as extras. I had met them previously in Vancouver but they were from Minnesota, so lots of traveling and strange coincidence that they happen to have been placed right next to my mark.

How is “New Moon” different from “Twilight”?
Kristen: It’s very much rooted in the story. The reason “Twilight” felt sort of kinetic, like the energy was sort of hard to grasp… was because the whole story was about not being able to grasp that energy but going after it with full force and not caring about the consequences. That sort of infiltrates “New Moon” because she’s been told that she was absolutely wrong, so now it’s a more mature, considerate approach to the same ideas. Tonally, “New Moon” is different in that it also becomes more dangerous, it becomes more real. She finally opens her eyes and she’s like, “Oh, I’ve woken up in Wonderland. It’s really scary. It’s actually scarier than I thought it was going to be” because there are werewolves and all the bad vampires want to kill her and all of that, so tonally it could not be more different. [Source]

“If I was friends with Bella I’d be like, ‘Please make life easier and date Jacob,’ ” she said at a New Moon fan event in London Wednesday – where 2,000 admirers screamed.

But as for Bella herself? “I’d make her a vampire,” Stewart, 19, said.

In real life, Stewart would opt for something infinitely more mundane, if she ever got a month off from Twilight madness, that is. “I would go home and do nothing,” she said. “I know that sounds really boring but all I want to do is do nothing.”

Though Pattinson, 23, dodged questions about his alleged relationship with Stewart by calling reports “speculative,” the leading man said becoming a Hollywood dreamboat has changed his life for the better.

“The paler you are, the better you do with women,” he said. “Becoming essentially a sex symbol, being English, you realize you can break a bunch of molds that I don’t think many people realize you can – you don’t need to go to the gym or anything!”

But would London-born Pattinson arrange a meet-up between Stewart and his folks by arranging for a sleepover with his costars at his family home?

“Oh no,” Stewart said. [Source]