Hollywood and the undead are made for each other. Disney’s $4bn takeover of Marvel, home to Iron Man, and Viacom’s $60m bid for rights to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles remakes show how the sequel-loving industry sucks life out of once fresh-faced franchises.

Movie executives are now howling at New Moon. The second adaptation from Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight vampire saga is expected to beat the first film’s handsome box office success when it opens next week. Adolescent fans are already salivating at the prospect of sinking their teeth into the latest tale of pale, moody longing.