New Moon Monday: Cast News & Projects, Vampire Film Countdown on TMN

Let's have a look see on the news of the Twilight Universe and general vampire mayhem this week.

Michael Sheen receives OBE from The Queen at Buckingham Palace
What an honour of recognition for Michael Sheen to be an OBE. See his reaction to the experience over here in a clip over at Wales Online.
Source: Twilight Lexicon, Wales Online

Rachelle LeFevre and Taylor Lautner will be at the Much Music Video Awards
Pretty cool to hear that Twilight cast members Rachelle LeFevre (Victoria) and Taylor Lautner (Jacob) will be at the Much Music Video Awards (MMVAs) on Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 9pm EST. I've heard reports that they will be presenting, but the info on the MMVA site says that they will be on the red carpet. Hoping to hear confirmation on if they are presenting soon.
Source: New Moon Movie

Cam Gigandet Picks up a New Vampire Role in Priest
MTV Movies Blog shares the news that Cam Gigandet is playing vampire again, in the upcoming film Priest which stars Paul Bettany in the title role. Based on a graphic novel & currently scheduled for a 2010 release is about all I can gather from the IMDb Page (currently director noted isn't the same name in the MTV post), so we'll have to follow this one to see where the chips fall. I was surprized that the article starts with "We’re certainly disappointed that “Twilight” trumped both “The Dark Knight” and “Iron Man” at the MTV Movies Awards". Disappointed? What an odd thing to say about the results of your own awards show winners.

Vampires and Priests, Deja Vu?
If the vampire/priest connection sounds familiar, you could be thinking of Chan-wook Park's Thirst / Bakjwi which was at Cannes earlier this year. Need to refresh your memory? Check out the fabulous trailers for Thirst over at Twitch. No Canadian release date for Thirst yet but my fingers are crossed and ears are too the ground. More info on Thrist at it's IMDb Page.

Before the Dawn: A Twilight Podcast
Episode 07 is now up. Head on over to Before the Dawn to listen or download the show directly here. This week Marina & I's discuss the News of the Week up to June 5, 2009.

Vampire Film Countdown to True Blood Season 2 Premiere on TMN
True Blood Season 2 premieres Sunday June 14, 2009 on HBO Canada at 9PM EST and in celebration there are lots of vampire films to enjoy on TMN and Mpix this weekend including a few I haven't seen (shock!). Let's have a look:

On TMN Friday June 12, 2009
7:25 PM Bitten
9:00 PM 30 Days of Night (directed by David Slade who will bring us Eclipse)
10:55 PM Lost Boys: The Tribe

On Mpix Friday June 12, 2009
9:00 PM The Lost Boys
10:45 PM John Carpenter's Vampires
12:40 AM The Fearless Vampire Killers

On Mpix Saturday June 13, 2009
9:00 PM Interview With The Vampire
11:10 PM Queen of the Damned

I'm looking forward to catching Bitten and The Fearless Vampire Killers for the first time. Fans of Lost Boys it looks like you can double up and watch the original as well as the sequel, Lost Boys: The Tribe (although it doesn't hold up to the original). If you are aren't yet familiar with the work of David Slade who will be directing Eclipse, take the opportunity to check out 30 Days of Night.