Okay, so we’re not exactly Twilight fans around here, but I gotta hand it to Summit Entertainment. This independent film studio has forged a relatively cheap franchise that’s already earned a shitload of money from its first two films (with two, possibly three, more to go). Twilight culled a $384 million worldwide gross on a $37 million budget, and New Moon (to date) has raked in a worldwide gross of $482 million on a $50 million budget. In addition to succeeding with relatively low budgets, these films managed to do so with a relatively unknown cast, much like the recent successes of The Hangover and Paranormal Activity.

Amazingly, low-budget/high-return films remain something of a novel concept in Hollywood, which is finally rethinking its use of A-list actors, a tactic that has been long overdue. After all, several so-called A-listers–including Jim Carrey, Bruce Willis, Will Ferrell, Julia Roberts, Adam Sandler, and Tom Cruise–have recently failed to live up to their previously stellar box office records. In particular, Nicole Kidman has not only botoxed the hell out of her face but also her acting career; Kidman’s last three major films–The Invasion, The Golden Compass, Australia–have all failed to recoup their budgets. How long will she be permitted to coast on the successes of decades past?

Of course, the Twilight movies themselves are rather ridiculous, but at least the franchise has proven itself before handing outrageous paychecks to its three stars–Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner–who earned modest amounts for the first films. Based upon the box-office hauls of the franchise thus far, the three actors but are reportedly looking forward to “paychecks well into eight figures” for the last few films of the franchise. Hell, these three have bloody well earned it.

Wait, there’s even better news… now, Summit Entertainment can afford to spread its cinematic wings elsewhere:

In the glow of the success of “New Moon,” independent film studio Summit Entertainment is ratcheting up its development slate with two projects that couldn’t be further from vampire-romance territory.

The company is developing a feature version of the Top Cow comic book “Alibi,” tapping John Hlavin to write the adaptation, to be produced by Mandeville’s David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. It also is teaming with Participant Pictures in acquiring the Ben Magid alien-attack spec script “Invasion,” which would see Strike Entertainment pair with horror filmmaker Eli Roth to produce.

Hey, I suppose we can put up with certain annoyances–sparkling vamps, shirtless werewolves, and a damsel in distress who favors unhealthy romantic relationships–if it means a bit of revitalization in the film industry. Just drop those damn A-list default salaries, okay?