Twilight director Catherine Harwicke made history when the film brought in an estimated $70.6 million during its opening weekend at the domestic box office, the highest ever gross for a female director and the second highest ever for an independent film.Boston Globe: Twilight is No. 1 (November 24, 2008) Hardwicke will allegedly not be brought back to direct the film's planned sequels because of a difference of "vision" with Summit Entertainment CEO Rob Friedman.Los Angeles Times: Hardwicke will not direct Twilight sequels (December 8, 2008)

Prior to Twilight, Harwickle was best known for directing the teenage angst film, Thirteen, which earned Holly Hunter a best supporting actress Oscar nomination.

• "You need to be in a really particular place to give so much, just because it's so honest. Catherine helped me. She has a wisdom about her that is very childlike in that it is fundamental. She put me in a place that was open enough to realize that if you're really going to say to someone that you love them and that you want to die for them then that's what you should say. It really should be simple and down to it."—Kristen StewartLA Times: Director Catherine Hardwicke Saw the 'Twilight' Mania Coming (November 20, 2008)

• Regarding Twilight: "I appreciate that time as a time of extreme turmoil. Your body changes, you can kiss a boy, you can kiss a girl, you can drive a car, you can drink. There's so much drama. It's when you discover who you are. I liked just being drawn into this world, and I wanted to see how I could create that on film."—Catherine HardwickeLA Times: Director Catherine Hardwicke Saw the 'Twilight' Mania Coming (November 20, 2008)