London, Dec 9 : Record-breaking ‘Twilight’ director Catherine Hardwicke has revealed that she won’t helm the film’s sequel, ‘New Moon’.

The US filmmaker feels that she needs more time to work on the film and could not commit to a late 2009-early 2010 release date, according to reports.

"I am sorry that due to timing I will not have the opportunity to direct New Moon," BBC quoted Hardwicke, as saying.

The film’s producer Summit Entertainment said it had "a mandate" to release the next instalment "in a timely fashion".

"We are able to pursue an aggressive time frame as we have the luxury of only adapting the novels into screenplays, as opposed to having to create a storyline from scratch," said Summit''s Erik Feig.

Hardwicke said New Moon has ‘a great story’ and sent the producer her best wishes.

No replacement for the sequel has been named, while the film has yet to announce when it will commence shooting. (ANI)