According to Variety, Catherine Hardwicke is directing Stay. This comes just a day after word leaked that she is up for James Patterson’s Maximum Ride. More importantly it’s a Summit project, so much for bad blood!

Edi Gathegi is on radio in LA today. So unless he’s about to hop a really fast plane, we doubt he’s heading to any out-of-town release parties. The Morning Show With Mike & Juliet Edi Gathegi (“Twilight”); Corbin Bleu discusses his new album; Jennifer Jolly discusses saving money. (N) 11 a.m. KTTV 33556 (Source LA Times)

Kristen Stewart has both Ted Casablanca and VideoGum (warning, if you click language ahead) defending her. When people like Ted and VideoGum, who are known for their biting commentary and snide, over-the-top remarks are saying people are really getting to be a bit much in regards to Kristen, that’s a pretty major move, in particular when the “people” they are calling out is MTV Canada.

In a reversal from what we usually hear about Twilight, Newsweek liked the movie better than the book.

According to Lexiconer, Ashley, there is a contest on a radio show in Oklahoma City. that is called March Manness, and basiclly they are looking for and voting for the hottest man out there. So she nominated Rob! So get over there and vote!

Rachelle Lefevere talked to the Vancouver Sun about growing up in Canada and how her roots have kept her grounded in Hollywood before and after the Twilight experience.

“I’m not criticizing the States at all. But when you’re raised in Canada, you’re brought up with a different appreciation of difference. We have the mosaic model instead of embracing this general trend of assimilation — where people are encouraged to believe in the same things,” she says.

“I was taught to be inquisitive about people and to respect their uniqueness.”

Here’s an outtake of Edi Gathegi hanging with the band just before he was the MC at Catherine Hardwicke’s book signing.

Platinum international recording artist and contributor to the Twilight Soundtrack, Collective Soul, will be headlining a benefit concert to aid the Darfur crisis and they have generously given us 2 tickets to giveaway!! You will also receive passes to a meet and greet with the band.

So here is what you need to do to enter the contest make a comment in this post with the words “pick me” in the post.  Please make sure you include a valid email when creating the post.  On Sunday we will choose a random winner.  Please note this concert is in Atlanta, GA and the contest is only for a pair of tickets to the concert and meet & greet passes.  Please only enter if you will be able to attend.

The Concert Details:

The Collective Soul Benefit Concert for Darfur will be held Friday, March 27, at The Tabernacle in downtown Atlanta, 152 Luckie St. This music event will raise funds and strengthen awareness for the Save Darfur Coalition, a global organization that represents 130 million people worldwide of all ages, races, religions and political affiliations who have united together to help the victims of Darfur (http://www.savedarfur.org).

In discussing the benefit concert, Ed Roland, lead singer and songwriter of Collective Soul, notes, “As the atrocities continue in Darfur, Collective Soul are honored to lend our voices, along with the youth of Atlanta, to something we feel very strongly about. We continue to educate not only ourselves but the community.”

The benefit concert was created in 2007 by a group of students at The Galloway School in Atlanta, under the leadership of teacher Lexi Hunter. Today, the committee is comprised of 20 students from 16 metro Atlanta-area high schools. 

Globally known for mega-hits such as “Shine,” “December” and “The World I Know,” Collective Soul hails from Atlanta and has produced seven #1 singles and sold over 10 million records. The band broke into mainstream popularity with their 1993 debut album Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid. The group’s self-titled second album arrived the following year and logged a 76-week run on the Billboard Top 200. The 1999 critically acclaimed Dosage saw Collective Soul further its run as rock radio superstars. The first single “Heavy” set a new high mark for 15 weeks at #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart. “Tremble For My Beloved” also appears on the gold-certified soundtrack for the hit film Twilight.

The new album is expected this summer.

This just in from Access Hollywood:

A number of participating retailers will be holding special midnight parties for the DVD launch of the teen vampire drama on Friday night, with stars and filmmakers making surprise appearances at one store each in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas and Salt Lake City, Access Hollywood can reveal!

Which will be the lucky stores? Access has the answers – but we’re not saying yet. Check back on Friday to find out where the stars will show!

See the full list of possibilities here

You now have a chance to wear the dress that Ashley Greene was wearing at her recent Saks Fifth Avenue event to your prom. The proceeds from the auction will create grants that the dress drive organizations that are part of the DonateMyDress network can apply for. It will help them run events to collect and distribute dresses to girls who can’t afford them for prom.

Lana Veenker has announced on her blog (this was her big surprise) where some of the cast is going to be for the DVD release. The full scoop is on Lana’s blog here.

We have it from a very good source that members of the Northwest cast and crew will be present at the Twilight Shop in the Wood Village Walmart. They will be on hand to sign autographs and to attend an exclusive cast and crew party.

Midnight Release Party
Friday, March 20 from 10 PM to Midnight

Wood Village Walmart
23500 N.E. Sandy Blvd
Wood Village, OR 97060

Before the stroke of midnight, exclusive to the Wood Village Walmart, fans have a chance to celebrate with the Oregon cast and crew who helped make this film. Along with refreshments and autograph signing, fans will be able to talk to stars from their favorite movie.

NOTE: Fans who want autographs will need to get in line between 8 PM and 10:00 PM, and may bring ONE item for all cast present to autograph. This is a strict cut-off time for admittance to the cast party.

Hollywood insider Nikki Finke broke the news that Catherine Hardwicke might not do New Moon while Catherine, Robert Rattinson, and Kristen Stewart were on the European Twilight press junket. Her post caused Summit and Catherine to have to release a statement two days later in the middle of the tour, probably something that neither of them wanted to do at that time.

Anyway, Catherine tells E! that it was when she was actually on this tour in Paris when she made her final decision.

“I was in Paris with Rob [Pattinson] and Kristen [Stewart] at dinner and talking to them and it was like, ‘Is this really the schedule? Would we really be starting 10 and half weeks from now? Yes, we would, for various reasons which I respect, but I really thought it would be better for somebody else, who hadn’t just been working every day for two years without a day off.”

E! isn’ t the only crew in town to catch up with Catherine. Reelz Channel asked her about her Twilight experience as well.

According to MTV, Edi Gathegi hinted at what’s in store for some fans:

“I’m not usually the kind of guy that would go to [a fan event] or try to sneak into one,” actor Edi Gathegi said recently, revealing plans that will undoubtedly leave some fans shrieking this weekend. “But I’m going to step outside of my comfort zone…I’m going to sneak into one. I don’t know which one I’m going to yet, but I just got off the phone with Catherine, like, a few hours ago, and she might be going to one.”

So anyone want to guess likely spots for the cast to be, and who will show up where?

Some of the crew from Twilight Moms was at Catherine’s book signing, and they were able to ask her a question about Edward’s journal in the movie.