LOS ANGELES – “Twilight” director Catherine Hardwicke won’t be back for “New Moon,” the sequel to the hit teen vampire romance.

Summit Entertainment, which released “Twilight” last month, says the scheduled release of “New Moon” in late 2009 or early 2010 conflicts with Hardwicke’s. The film, based on the second book in Stephenie Meyer’s series, continues to follow the forbidden relationship between vampire Edward Cullen and high schooler Bella Swan.

Hardwicke, whose previous films include “Thirteen” and “Lords of Dogtown,” had the highest opening ever for a female director when “Twilight” made nearly $70 million in its first weekend. It’s grossed over $138 million in three weeks.