Photo by Kimberly French/Summit Entertainment from MTV.com

The Twilight franchise is a fan-driven monster that encompasses the worlds of literature, film, and merchandise.  Its series of books, by Stephanie Meyer, has sold more than 40 million copies in the United States, and the franchise’s first film – Twilight – grossed over 383 million worldwide.

On November 20, 2009 the second installment of the vampire film series – The Twilight Saga: New Moon – will debut in theaters.  The film’s release is a month away, yet opening night tickets for some theaters have been sold-out for months.

If you are one of the millions across the world anxiously awaiting New Moon‘s release, then check out this guide to the vampalicious sequel.

Plot Summary

New Moon delves deeper into the immortal world of vampires, and introduces a whole new supernatural element – the Quileute wolf pack.

When Jasper nearly attacks Bella, following a paper cut at her birthday party in the Cullen home, Edward decides that his presence is Bella’s life is too dangerous.  He leaves Forks, taking Bella’s heart with him – figuratively speaking, of course.

Crushed after Edward’s departure, Bella finds comfort in her best friend Jacob Black.  While it quickly becomes apparent that the pair have feelings that extend beyond mere friendship, Bella is still consumed by her love for Edward.

During often reckless adventures with Jacob, Bella realizes that she can see flashes of Edward’s image in the midst of her most daring and dangerous stunts like, motorcycle riding and cliff diving.  Although Bella has many near-death experiences during her bout as an adrenaline junkie, a misunderstanding leads Edward to believe that Bella is truly dead.

This turn of events sends Bella and Edward’s sister Alice on a pulse-pounding journey around the world, to try and stop Edward from convincing the Italian Volturi vampires – the ruling body of the vampire world – to kill him, so that Edward may join Bella in death.

The Director

For the highly anticipated sequel to Twilight, Chris Weitz (The Golden Compass) takes the helm as director.  Weitz had the daunting task of combining the intensity and romance of the first film, with the action-packed moments of the second.  He also had to tackle CGI-effects for the introduction of the shape-shifting wolf pack.  Thus far, fans and critics have been pleased with the look and action of New Moon.

While each of the films has been headed by a different director – Catherine Hardwicke for Twilight, and David Slade for the third installment Eclipse – rumors are already circling that Weitz will be asked to direct the fourth and final film, Breaking Dawn.

The Cast

The Vampires: The vampires are definitely the main attraction when it comes to the Twilight franchise.  However, New Moon kicks the vampirism up a notch, with the highly anticipated reveal of the Volturi vampires.  You can find a cast list of all your favorite vamps here.

The Cullens

• Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen
• Ashley Greene as Alice Cullen
• Peter Facinelli as Dr. Carlisle Cullen
• Elizabeth Reaser as Esme Cullen
• Jackson Rathbone as Jasper Hale
• Nikki Reed as Rosalie Hale
• Kellan Lutz as Emmett Cullen
  

The Volturi

• Michael Sheen as Aro
• Christopher Heyerdahl as Marcus
  
• Jamie Campbell Bower as Caius
• Dakota Fanning as Jane
• Cameron Bright as Alec
• Charlie Bewley as Demetri
  
• Daniel Cudmore as Felix
  
• Noot Seear as Heidi

The Rogue Vampires

• Rachelle Lefevre as Victoria
• Edi Gathegi as Laurent
• Xavier Samuel as Riley

The Wolf Pack: The Quileute wolf pack brings a whole new dimension of supernatural hotness to The Twilight Saga, in that their abnormally warm body temperatures give cause for the pack to be shirtless throughout most of the movie.  Who would complain about that?  Check out the wolf pack cast.

• Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black
• Chaske Spencer as Sam Uley
• Bronson Pelletier as Jared
• Kiowa Gordon as Embry Call
• Alex Meraz as Paul
• Tyson Houseman as Quil Ateara

The Humans: The human cast of New Moon has varying degrees of involvement in the supernatural world.  Some of the human cast are only friends or family of Bella’s, while Bella herself is the love interest of a vampire and a werewolf.  Several of the humans are Quileutes privy to all the weird happenings of Forks, while another human is a Volturi employee.  Read the list of human characters below.

• Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan
• Billy Burke as Sheriff Charlie Swan
• Gil Birmingham as Billy Black
• Graham Green as Harry Clearwater
• Tinsel Korey as Emily
  
• Michael Welch as Mike Newton
  
• Anna Kendrick as Jessica Stanley
  
• Christian Serratos as Angela Weber
  
• Justin Chon as Eric Yorkie
  
• Justine Wachsberger as Gianna
  

Whether you are “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob, check the official New Moon site for all the latest news, cast profiles, and trailers.