David Slade to direct 3rd 'Twilight' flick

LOS ANGELES, April 23 (UPI) -- British film director David Slade has been hired to head up "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," Summit Entertainment announced.

The movie, which will be the third in the franchise based on Stephenie Meyer's iconic vampire romance series, is slated for release June 30, 2010, Variety.com said Wednesday.

Director Chris Weitz recently began shooting "New Moon," the second film in the series, which is set to open in the United States Nov. 20.

Catherine Hardwicke helmed the first "Twilight" movie, which was a blockbuster last year.

Slade's credits include "Hard Candy" and "30 Days of Night."