The latest film, which hits our cinemas on 20 November, has been through the development wringer, with studio Summit trying to get it out as soon as possible to capitalise on the success of Twilight.

With Catherine Hardwicke replaced by Chris Weitz, the new challenge is the fact that the second book's plot meanders rather than motors.

Weitz has kept that intact. "It is a bit of a slow burn - not so slow that people fall asleep! - but it builds to this big crescendo.

"It starts very quietly and eventually we go to Italy and there are fights and reunion and sweeping romance and all that stuff and it's very important that the film captures that element of the book that has to deal with melancholy and deep sadness and darkness.

"And that's not something you can skip past- you want to be able to represent that cinematically as well. "