New Moon, the sequel to the US$340-million box-office hit Twilight, is slated to shoot in Van beginning in March, though the local industry remains tight-lipped about the ‘top secret’ shoot.

Neither the Directors Guild of Canada B.C. District Council nor the Union of B.C. Performers makes mention of New Moon in their production listings. However, both indicate an ‘Untitled Sports Movie’ set for Vancouver Film Studios March 23 to May 29 and (here’s the giveaway) list New Moon’s Chris Weitz as the director.

While Twilight shot for US$37 million, New Moon is reported to be budgeted at US$50 million. So while it’s not one of the biggest movies to land in Vancouver of late – compared to some recent Vancouver shoots like the US$200-million Farewell Atlantis – it is definitely high-profile. Unconfirmed reports indicate the third installment in the series, Eclipse, may shoot in Vancouver immediately following the wrap of New Moon.