TIME has a new interview with Chris Weitz, director of The Twilight Saga: New Moon. He chatted about helming a “ladies” movie and the Bella/Jacob chemistry.

Is it weird to be a guy directing Twilight? Since it’s a franchise that’s considered more for … the ladies?

I think at first it was odd for the fans when I came on board. There was a question of whether I was going to kind of try to bring some amped up macho mentality … I wouldn’t even know how to do that. I think I’m pretty fem. I have a lot of estrogen.

At first Stephenie was a bit surprised that I had been brought out as a first choice. But we met and chatted and it all worked really well.

I liked the vibe between Bella and Jacob. It felt real, but also different from the way she interacts with Edward.

Taylor’s very much like the character, tremendously sunny and upbeat. And Kristen is very protective of Taylor, actually. He’s 17 now, and Kristen’s been working since Panic Room if not before that. She wanted to make sure Taylor was protected from the world, and that works perfectly with the dynamic of the book.

See the whole article here.