After weeks of speculation, it has now been announced that Catherine Hardwicke will not direct the sequel to “Twilight,” with series producer Summit Entertainment saying Sunday Hardwicke’s schedule would not allow such a continuation.

Summit Entertainment said in a statement Sunday that Catherine Hardwicke’s schedule did not correspond with the company’s plan to release the sequel, “New Moon,” in late 2009 or early 2010.

Deadline Hollywood Daily reported that the relationship between Summit and Hardwicke was strained during the production of “Twilight.” It was nevertheless a great success, as Hardwicke delivered the biggest opening weekend ever for a female film director.

“Twilight” holds the year’s second biggest opening weekend, following the $158 million July release of “The Dark Knight,” starring Christian Bale and the late Heath Ledger. It made $70.6 million during its opening weekend and has earned nearly $139 million in three weeks of release.

Hardwicke outdid the previous record for a female director, worth $41.1 million, established by Mimi Leder in 1998 with “Deep Impact.”

The director’s previous projects had an aura of controversy: independent drama “Thirteen” dealt with teenage drug and alcohol use, sexual activity and self-harm, while the Biblically themed “The Nativity Story” was accompanied by the story of its unmarried 16-year-old star, who announced she was pregnant before the film’s release.

Hardwicke said in a statement that directing “Twilight” was one of the “great” experiences of her life and expressed gratitude towards fans for their “passionate” support.

Summit confirmed writer Melissa Rosenberg has signed on to pen “New Moon,” while actors Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart will reprise their roles as Edward Cullen and Bella Swan, respectively.