(GettyImages.com)

Summit Entertainment is suing Twilight.com for copyright violation.

The studio claims Tom Markson, the site’s proprietor, is illegally using Twilight Saga trademarks and allowing visitors to believe they’ve arrived at an officially sanctioned platform.

Markson profits off of the use of copyrighted content, says Summit in its complaint.

“Summit learned that defendant is using the Twilight intellectual property on his website in a variety of ways, including posting links to download Twilight recordings, posting links for unauthorized Twilight contests and fake casting calls for the Twilight motion pictures,” reads part of the document filed in U.S. District Court last week.

It claims that Twilight.com is ”leading consumers to believe that they had reached the official Twilight Motion Picture Web site.”

Summit says it sent Markson two cease-and-desist letters in 2009, and, because Markson “has not ceased his unlawful activities,” is now pursuing him for false designation of origin, trademark infringement, trademark dilution, unfair competition and copyright infringement.

It’s not the first time Summit has cracked down on threats to its copyright.

Last month, the studio took legal action against Daiana Santia, a hacker in Argentina who allegedly stole and distributed images from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn.

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(Summit)

Summit has just released the following statement in connection to the stolen images from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn.

“In an action that further communicates that those who steal images, video and other intellectual property will be identified and prosecuted globally, Summit Entertainment communicated today that it has identified the principal hacker who earlier this year stole unreleased materials from THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN which were then distributed on the internet.”

“Civil actions in the United States and Argentina name Daiana Santia, along with others, as being involved in stealing photographs, unfinished images and video from both parts of the yet to be released THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN which first appeared on the internet of March 31 of this year. Criminal action in Argentina has also been filed.”

The statement goes on to explain, “The investigation, which utilized the services of Kroll Inc. and the law firm of Keats McFarland & Wilson LLP, spanned four continents (North America, South America, Europe and Australia) and has led to the town of Posadas in northern Argentina.  It is believed that others may also be involved in the crime and thus the investigation is on-going.”

“While we very much appreciate the legions of committed fans of the franchise and encourage them to create community online, we cannot ignore that property was stolen,” said David C. Friedman, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Summit Entertainment. “It is not fair to the majority of fans that want to see the final chapter of the TWILIGHT SAGA film franchise fully realized by the filmmaker and dedicated cast and crew to have these images out and available on the Internet.”

What do you think of this latest development?

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(Summit)

Summit Entertainment has just announced, “Breaking Dawn will be filmed in both Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Vancouver over the next year starting this fall.  The next chapter of THE TWILIGHT SAGA will be released as two separate films with the first of the two slated to be released in theatres on November 18, 2011.”

Bill Condon will direct both films, starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner.

Gossip Cop will update when more details emerge.

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(Summit)

Summit Entertainment has announced a 12-city “Twilight Night” event to coincide with the lunar eclipse occurring on the evening of June 26.

The “Night” includes outdoor screenings of Twilight and New Moon just four days before Eclipse hits theaters on June 30.

Moviefone will be live streaming events on its website for those people who can’t attend any of the celebrations in person. The content will include interviews with cast, fan reactions, special guests and speak peeks at Eclipse.

*****     *****     *****     *****

Events are currently scheduled to take place in the following cities and venues.  Doors open at 6:00 PM local time in each city.  Attendance will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis.

Atlanta

Atlantic Station

171 17^th St NW

Atlanta, GA

Dallas

AT&T Plaza at the American Airlines Center

2500 Victory Ave

Dallas, TX

Denver

Sloan’s Lake Park

17^th Ave and Sheridan

Denver, CO

Miami

Gusman Center Performing Arts

174 East Flagler Street

Miami, FL

Philadelphia

The Piazza

North Second Street and Germantown Avenue, Below Girard

Philadelphia, PA

Phoenix

Desert Ridge Shopping Center

21001 North Tatum Blvd.

Phoenix, AZ

Portland

Colonel Summers City Park

Portland, OR

Salt Lake City

Movie in the Park

Fairmont Park located

2361 South 900 East

Salt Lake City, UT

St. Louis

St. Louis Union Station

1820 Market Street

St. Louis, MO

San Diego

Park at the Park (Downtown)

10^th & K

San Diego, CA

Seattle

Fremont Outdoor Movies

3501 Phinney Ave N.

Seattle, WA

Washington DC

National Harbor Plaza

163 Waterfront Street

National Harbor, MD

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(Little, Brown & Co.)

UPDATE: 10:50 PM -

With news that Breaking Dawn is being adapted into two films also comes word that Summit is definitely considering doing the fourth and fifth pictures in 3-D.

Gossip Cop will update when we hear anything new.

*****     *****     *****     *****     *****

ORIGINAL POST: 9:30 PM -

It’s now official.

Breaking Dawn will be two movies.

*****     *****     *****     *****     *****

Summit Entertainment confirmed today that THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN will be released as two separate films with the first of the two slated to be released in theatres on November 18, 2011.

Bill Condon will direct both movies.

Among major cast returning: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner along with Peter Facinelli as Carlisle, Elizabeth Reaser as Esme, Jackson Rathbone as Jasper, Nikki Reed as Rosalie, Ashley Greene as Alice and Kellan Lutz as Emmett.

Production begins in the fall.

The project, based on the fourth novel in author Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, is currently being written by Melissa Rosenberg.

Wyck Godfrey, Karen Rosenfelt and Stephenie Meyer are producing.

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(Little, Brown & Co.)

Mark your calendars! “Breaking Dawn,” the final installment of the “Twilight Saga,” hits theaters on November 18, 2011.

It has yet to be decided whether the last book in the Stephenie Meyer series will be divided into two films or not, though some time ago a source close to the production told Gossip Cop that it was “likely” to be two movies.

And while “Breaking Dawn,” starring Robert Pattison, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, has a release date, the film – being directed by Bill Condon – still does not have a start date.

Gossip Cop will update as more details emerge.

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(GettyImages.com)

The current frontrunner to direct “Breaking Dawn” is Bill Condon, Gossip Cop can confirm.

Summit Entertainment has yet to sign Condon to the project, but the studio and director are engaged in a negotiation process that has moved the director to the front of the pack, a source close to the situation tells Gossip Cop, corroborating an earlier Deadline.com report.

Condon previously directed films including Kinsey and Dreamgirls.

Almost as long as the book itself, the saga of who would adapt it for the screen has gone through many twists, including a false rumor Gossip Cop busted claiming Gus Van Sant had already “signed” to do the project, and buzz last week that Michael Mann was a major candidate.

As of now, no final decision has been made.

Gossip Cop will have updates as they break.

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(Summit)

Buzz built over the weekend about the upcoming premiere for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. While the movie won’t be released until the end of June, the series’ popularity and the logistics of bringing together the large ensemble cast means Summit Entertainment had to make arrangements far in advance.

Gossip Cop can confirm that the Eclipse premiere will be on June 24 in Los Angeles, as reported.

As for the site, Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood is one of two possible locations.

A rep for Summit confirmed the date but said the location has not yet been finalized, although reps for two of the movie’s stars told Gossip Cop Grauman’s was “the plan.”

We will have more details on the premiere and promotional schedule as Eclipse nears.

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(Summit)

After the trailer for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse debuted yesterday, we got a lot of questions about whether a second, longer version was already planned for release.

Gossip Cop spoke with a rep for Summit Entertainment who told us there will (of course) be a new trailer at some point, but right now there’s “no talk… nothing in the works.”

So it looks like Twilight fans will have to make do for now with the trailer being shown before Remember Me this weekend… and, of course, YouTube, where nearly 5 million people have already watched yesterday’s release.

Gossip Cop will report on future Eclipse clips as soon as we hear.

Stay tuned…

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(Little, Brown & Co.)

Earlier today a press release went out claiming, among other things, that The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn “will be split into two movies, and filmed in 3D.”

But that “press release is inauthentic,” a rep for Summit Entertainment confirms exclusively to Gossip Cop.

The rep, who further called the release “fabricated,” added that no official decision has been made about the division of Breaking Dawn, but that Summit is working with author Stephenie Meyer to bring her vision to the big screen with all the “creative elements” necessary.

Meanwhile, a well-placed source tells Gossip Cop that, while splitting Breaking Dawn is likely, filming it in 3D is a longshot.

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(GettyImages.com)

For months on end there has been speculation about “Breaking Dawn,” and who would direct the final chapter of the saga.

Gossip Cop has received official confirmation from Chris Weitz‘s rep that he will not be directing the film(s).

Fans had hoped for some time Weitz, who directed “New Moon” (and “The Golden Compass” and “About A Boy” before that), would helm “Breaking Dawn,” but it’s a no go.

Weitz is next slated to direct a personal project about an undocumented Mexican laborer that he himself is partially funding. That film begins next month.

So loved was Weitz there was even a rumor – albeit false –  that stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner had written a joint endorsement, urging Summit Entertainment to lock down the director for the final installment. 

Ultimately, it was Weitz’s decision.

As Gossip Cop reported last month, though officially no decision has been made about whether to split “Breaking Dawn” into two films, a well-place source said dividing the final book into two movies is “the direction that it’s going in.”

We’re also told Summit is currently looking at top-tier directors to helm the final “Twilight” film(s).

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(Little, Brown & Co.)

Here we go again.

Gossip Cop‘s inbox overflowed today with questions about purported production and casting notices for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. A site claims that production has been greenlit, Gus Van Sant “has signed on” to direct, a talent search to cast new characters is underway, and a production timetable is set.

The same site made similar declarations back in October.

It was wrong then.

It’s wrong now.

A source with Summit Entertainment tells Gossip Cop there is still no director or any production arrangements for Breaking Dawn, which will probably be two films, although even that has not been finalized as of now.

Gossip Cop will continue to monitor production rumors, separating fact from fiction.

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(Little, Brown & Co.)

Another film was on every Twilight Saga fan’s lips today when rumors went wide that the first Eclipse trailer would be attached to this weekend’s opening of Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief.

The buzz began on message boards and wound up on PerezHilton.com and other major sites. But, just like previous Eclipse teaser rumors from IMDB, today’s is wrong.

A source with Summit tells Gossip Cop the trailer will not be out with this weekend’s Percy Jackson launch.

Eclipse opens in theaters on June 30. We will have updates on teasers and trailers as soon as there is news.

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(GettyImages.com)

Summit Entertainment, the studio behind The Twilight Saga, announced today that it has purchased the North American rights to an untitled comedy (previously called I’m With Cancer) starring James McAvoy as a guy who discovers he has the disease.

Joining McAvoy and Seth Rogen in the cast will be Twilight vets Anna Kendrick and Bryce Dallas Howard.

Shooting will begin later this month in Vancouver. Jonathan Levine will direct.

Follow @GossipCop on Twitter for the best in accurate celebrity and entertainment news.

(GettyImages.com)

An item in Life & Style claiming that the romance between Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart will finally be revealed publicly when the “Twilight” cast convenes to film Breaking Dawn next fall has triggered enormous speculation (again) about the paparazzi-dogged couple.

While it’s nothing new for outlets to buzz incessantly about Robsten, what caught Gossip Cop‘s attention this time was the implication that cast members plan to be open about a relationship that, until now, had to be kept “under wraps.”

“Everyone that’s part of the franchise is so happy for [Pattinson and Stewart],” an “insider” tells Life & Style. “They don’t feel the need to hide it anymore.”

Except no one was told to hide anything in the first place.

The notion that the Twilight cast’s “lips have been sealed” about Pattinson and Stewart is some revisionist history. There was never an edict from anyone. There was never a gag order. There was no Twilight state secret.

It’s simple: No one in the cast wished to comment on a third party’s private life. There was always enough respect among Pattinson, Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Anna Kendrick, and everyone else on set that private lives stayed private.

Should Pattinson and Stewart decide to talk with the press about their lives, the others will take their cues about what is and isn’t appropriate. But when Breaking Dawn is green lit, no switch is flipped on a heretofore “hush-hush relationship.”

One final note: If Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart decide, of their own accord, to tell the world they’re dating during the (eventual) filming of the Twilight Saga‘s next installment, Gossip Cop hopes it will have only one significant effect – to make their daily lives safer and happier than during the filming of Eclipse.

Everyone needs whatever level of privacy gives him or her comfort. And that was made impossible last summer by the paparazzi’s relentless pursuit of Pattinson and Stewart outside of restaurants, inside hotel lobbies, etc.

“Proof” of “love” (as Life & Style puts it) is less vital than the press “proving” itself decent and respectful.

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(Little, Brown & Co.)

People have flooded Gossip Cop with questions about whether the release date for “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” has been pushed back.

Concern seems to come from the lack of a trailer, as well as some inaccurate previews of the upcoming year in movies. CNN‘s, for instance, lists “Eclipse” as arriving in theaters in July.

But no one needs to worry about a postponement.

Sources at Summit Entertainment confirm to Gossip Cop that “Eclipse” is still on track to be released on June 30, 2010.

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(EOnline.com)

Our usual reliable pals over at E! Online caused a bit of a stir yesterday with an “Awful Truth” post detailing the “fun drama” between “Twilight” author Stephenie Meyer and the vampire series’ film studio, Summit Entertainment, over the adaptation of her final book, “Breaking Dawn.”

Returning to the debate over whether to make the series capper one film or two, E! cites an “insider” as claiming Meyer and Summit “have very different agendas.” According to the piece, Meyer is reluctant to greenlight the two-film option, and the studio is “doing its best to ‘politely inspire’” her. “It’s all about trying to convince Meyer to do it,” the post continues, later asking, “Jeez, is it actually harder for a devout Mormon [like Meyer] to whore out her creative baby than, say, a reported Protestant like J.K. Rowling, who certainly had no difficulties milking the Harry Potter flicks for all they were worth?”

Gossip Cop truly likes the team over at E!… but they’ve got this one wrong. There’s no such rift between Meyer and Summit over Breaking Dawn‘s fate.

So misplaced were the claims, in fact, Meyer herself responded on her official site.

“There is no drama over whether the book should be one movie or two,” Meyer writes. And while the author states again her belief that it would be difficult to tell all of Breaking Dawn in a single film, “If a great way of doing that surfaces, I’m all for it.”

“I know people are anxious for news, and so sometimes gossip gets fabricated to stir things up,” Meyer makes sure to add. “But there’s no basis to this particular story.”

And a Summit source further confirms to Gossip Cop there aren’t any competing agendas.

No worries, “Twilight” fans. There’s no sign of a “Breaking Dawn” breakdown.

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The rumors sounded dubious, but Gossip Cop wanted to be sure.

Our doubts were well founded.

Gossip Cop has confirmed that Summit Entertainment has not shown “Eclipse.” A source connected to the production tells us talk of a screening is “absolutely not true.”

The “testimonials” and other reports being passed among blogs today are not legitimate. No screenings have taken place, nor are the specifics about the release of a theatrical trailer accurate.

Gossip Cop will have much more information when Summit (actually) begins its “Eclipse” campaign.

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(GettyImages.com)

Gossip Cop would like to wish Stephenie Meyer, author of the “Twilight Saga,” a very happy birthday! Meyer is blowing out 36 candles today. And while Gossip Cop has blown out far more than 36 Twilight-related rumors, we thought we’d pick a few stories to share on Meyer’s big day, because, hey, it can’t be easy having a December 24 birthday!

Some are terrible, some are true, but all helped to make 2009 a huge – huge! – year for both Meyer and her blockbuster series.

** There was that Star story about director David Slade putting Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and other “Eclipse” cast members “on lockdown, demanding they return to their hotel rooms when shooting wraps!”

And why were the “Twilight” stars supposedly not allowed out past . . . twilight? Because they “were so busy partying, smoking and hooking up that they came to work looking like hell,” claimed a Star “insider.” Summit told Gossip Cop that the concept of a lockdown was “completely false.”

** How about those persistent stories that “Breaking Dawn” was going to begin production shortly? We said it wasn’t true, and people called us names. To date, there has been no official announcement about “Breaking Dawn.” (Don’t worry — it will happen.)

But why should Meyers only hear the negative? Today’s her birthday, and Gossip Cop was happy to announce a few presents that she received about five weeks early.

** The first was that “New Moon” broke the record for biggest midnight opening, beating “The Dark Knight” and the top “Harry Potter” franchise performer.

** Shortly after that we were also able to deliver the news that “New Moon” set the record for the biggest (non-summer) weekend box office.

All in all, not a bad year!

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(Summit)

North American cumulative is now up to $274.6 million

In its fifth week in theaters, “New Moon” was in fifth place at the box office.

North America: 3 day estimate = $4.4 million playing at 3,035 theaters for a per theater average of $1,440.  

• Friday = $1.4 million
• Saturday = $1.6 million

Gossip Cop will keep you updated as we receive more figures…

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(Little, Brown & Co.)

When the tabs don’t have actual news to report, contrived controversy will do in a pinch — especially when it comes to “Twilight.” Life & Style declares in just such a piece, “Battle for Breaking Dawn,” that “cast and producers are at odds over the making of the fourth movie in the smash series.”

What has the magazine learned? Well, not much. It mostly recycles nuggets about Stephenie Meyer‘s fourth installment’s “serious departure” in tone from the first three books; the ongoing discussion about whether it should be split into more than one movie; stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner‘s rapidly filling schedules; etc.

Catching Gossip Cop‘s eye, though, was the section labeled, “Director demands.” While Summit Entertainment is “still searching for a director to helm Breaking Dawn,” the leads “are adamant about wanting New Moon‘s Chris Weitz.” So adamant, in fact, that according to the mag’s so-called “insider,” “Rob, Taylor and Kristen sat down and wrote a letter to have Chris come back.”

Gossip Cop thought the story of the “Twilight” Trio writing a joint endorsement of Weitz sounded a bit off, especially coming in the midst of a piece that just seemed to repeat every “Breaking Dawn” angle, however played out and speculative, to fill the space.

We were right to be skeptical. A source close to the production said that the three major stars of “New Moon,” while very pleased with Weitz, never wrote a letter demanding he take over “Breaking Dawn.”

Anyone who wants to write Life & Style a letter “applauding” (ahem) their “Twilight” coverage is encouraged to do so.

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(Summit)

North American cumulative is now up to $267.4 million

In its fourth week in theaters, “New Moon” was in fourth place at the box office.

North America: 3 day estimate = $8.0 million playing at 3,635 theaters for a per theater average of $2,201.

• Friday = $2.4 million
• Saturday = $3.4 million

Gossip Cop will keep you updated as we receive more figures…

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(Summit)

As you probably know, the charges against 22-year-old Samanth Tumpach have been dropped for illegally videotaping “New Moon” at the Muvico Theater in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont.

She was charged with a felony, and could have faced up to three years behind bars.

Tumpach admitted that two snippets of film were caught on her camera, but said she wasn’t intentionally recording “New Moon.” Instead, she was filming her sister’s birthday.

Even director Chris Weitz was in her corner. He told the Chicago Sun-Times, “There is, needless to say, a difference between trying to protect copyright of a film and making an unfair example of someone who clearly seems not to have any intentions towards video piracy.”

Well now Summit has weighed in, too, and released the following statement:

“In regards to the situation with Samantha Tumpach, we applaud Muvico for upholding the zero tolerance policy on piracy when the incident occurred at their theater in Rosemont, IL. The pirating of films is a very serious issue and we all need to remain vigilant to protect the art of film and the myriad of businesses that the film industry supports. We believe that the attention that this incident has drawn, has served as a reminder to us all that any form of film piracy, or perceived piracy, will be treated with the utmost seriousness. Summit is pleased that all charges against Ms. Tumpach have been dropped and appreciate the efforts of the police and the prosecutors in this outcome.”

(Summit)

Worldwide Estimated Gross to Date: $570.1 million!

Breakdown

International cumulative is now up to $314.5 million!

North American cumulative is now up to $ $255.6 million!

In its third week in theaters, “New Moon” came in second place in box office receipts.

Domestically, “New Moon” earned $5.2 million on Friday (12/4) and $6.5 million on Saturday (12/5).

The international estimated weekend gross is $40.7 million.

Gossip Cop will keep you updated as we receive more figures.

Follow @GossipCop on Twitter for the latest in accurate celebrity reporting, and check GossipCop.com for updates!

(Summit)

UPDATE: 1:09 11/29:

Estimated international cumulative is now up to $243 million!

North American cumulative is now up to $230.7 million!

Monday 11/23 – $10.5 million

Tuesday 1124 – $11.5 million

Wednesday 11/25 – $14.3 million.

Thursday 11/26 – $9.2 million

Friday 11/27 – $17.7 million

Saturday 11/28 -$16.5 million

The five days from 11/25-11/29 is estimated to be $66 million!

International breakdown will be available later. We will update you when we receive the numbers.

International figures from 11/25:

These are updated details on what was an estimated $132 million opening weekend in 24 international markets. Sources at Summit give the following breakdown:

Argentina – $1.36M market cume

Australia – $14.78M market cume

Brazil – $7.86M market cume

Belgium – $2.66M market cume

Croatia – $221K market cume

Denmark – $1.6M market cume

France – $18.9M market cume

Finland – $967K market cume

Greece – $2.3M market cume

Holland – $1.2M market cume

Hungary – $710K market cume

Indonesia – $47K market cume

Italy – $15.3M market cume

Mexico – $7.7M market cume

New Zealand – $1.9M market cume

Norway – $2.1M market cume

Poland – $1.5M market cume

Philippines – $2.4M market cume

Russia – $9M market cume

Spain – $15M market cume

Sweden – $2M market cume

Switzerland – $713K (French) + $95K (Italian) market cume

Thailand – $1.4M market cume

Turkey – $1.9M market cume

UK – $19.5M market cume

We’ll keep you updated as we receive more figures.

Follow @GossipCop on Twitter for the latest in accurate celebrity reporting, and check GossipCop.com for updates!

(Summit)

Vampires and werewolves are Hollywood’s new kings.

Sources tell Gossip Cop “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” has set a (non-summer) weekend box office record, taking in an astounding $140.7 million since it opened nationwide at midnight on Thursday.

The film’s record-smashing first night paved the way for a three-day haul that “eclipses” all previous weekend windfalls (except summer’s “The Dark Knight” and “Spider-Man 3″).

The estimated international box office take for the three days is $258.8 million.

OTHER MILESTONES & NOTES:

- $140.7 million playing at 4,024 theaters for a per theater average of $34,965.

- Best single opening day ever surpassing THE DARK KNIGHT ($67.2 million)

- Biggest 2 day total to reach $100 + million ($115.9 million to surpass THE DARK KNIGHT’s $114.8 million)

- Biggest November opening in history surpassing HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE ($102.7 million)

- 3^rd biggest opening weekend ever surpassing PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: DEAD MANS CHEST ($135.6 million)

- Best gross for midnight shows ever at $26.3 million surpassing HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE ($22.2 million)

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(GettyImages.com)

“Twilight Star Robert Pattinson Signs TV Deal,” screams the headline of an article today from the Daily Star, which goes on to say, “Robert Pattinson will sink his fangs into one of the biggest contracts in Hollywood history with a $500 million Twilight television deal.”

Really?!

According to the article, the film “franchise is branching out into TV production – and bosses want heart-throb Rob to reprise his big-screen role as Edward Cullen.” The story claims he “could land as much as $1.5 million an episode in the deal which could kick in as early as next year.”

Seriously?!

Oh wait, there’s more…

“Kristen Stewart, Rob’s on-screen human love Bella Swan, is also wanted by chiefs at Summit Entertainment,” reports the Daily Star, adding “both would be free to work on the TV version almost immediately as they have already completed the third film in the series, The ­Twilight Saga: Eclipse.”

But how about the other films they’re slated to do?

More importantly, how about the accuracy of this story?

A rep for Summit told Gossip Cop exclusively that there is “no truth” to Pattinson signing a TV deal with Summit.

Follow @GossipCop on Twitter for the latest in accurate celebrity news, and check GossipCop.com for updates!

(Summit)

As we reported earlier, a record-setting night turned into a record-setting day for “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.”

Estimates place the film’s November 20 take at a staggering $72.7 million, beating the incredible first days by “The Dark Knight” and “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.”

Gossip Cop will follow the box office as more records (may) fall this weekend.

If you were among the millions who streamed into theaters for “New Moon” since midnight Thursday, we’d like to know what you thought.

Follow @GossipCop on Twitter for the latest.

(Summit)

Sources tell Gossip Cop Summit Entertainment is set to announce that “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” broke the record for biggest midnight opening last night, beating “The Dark Knight” and the top “Harry Potter” franchise performer.

WE’VE JUST RECEIVED THIS FROM SUMMIT…

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON has set a new record for opening midnight shows with an estimated gross of $26.270 million playing at 3,514 theaters for a per theater average of $7,476. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON passes HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE ($22.2 million) to take the number one spot.*  Following POTTER is DARK KNIGHT ($18.5 million).

In addition to THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON, last night Summit re-issued TWILIGHT in theaters.  The film grossed $1.3 million playing at 2,057 theaters for a per theater average of $631.  The re-issue of Twilight came in just outside the top 15 for the week this is notable especially considering that all came from just 9 PM Thursday night shows.

* Records based on data from industry leader Paul Dergarabedian of BoxOffice.com

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(GettyImages.com)

A quick (non-”Twilight,” non-Robsten) Robert Pattinson confirmation to answer a question we received many times today.

For those who haven’t heard, or those who had heard but weren’t sure it was accurate: Yes, Pattinson is an executive producer of his upcoming film, “Remember Me,” a source with the production confirms to Gossip Cop.

We look forward to tabloids confusedly putting out cover stories naming Pattinson the director, boom operator, and caterer on a sequel to “Remember The Titans.”

For the very latest, follow @GossipCop on Twitter, and check GossipCop.com for updates!