EW received the following statement today from actress Rachelle Lefevre’s rep regarding the announcement that she was being replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard for the upcoming third Twilight film, Eclipse:
“I was stunned by Summit’s decision to recast the role of Victoria for Eclipse. I was fully committed to the Twilight saga, and to the portrayal of Victoria. I turned down several other film opportunities and, in accordance with my contractual rights, accepted only roles that would involve very short shooting schedules. My commitment to Barney’s Version is only ten days. Summit picked up my option for Eclipse. Although the production schedule for Eclipse is over three months long, Summit said they had a conflict during those ten days and would not accommodate me. Given the length of filming for Eclipse, never did I fathom I would lose the role over a 10 day overlap. I was happy with my contract with Summit and was fully prepared to continue to honor it. Summit chose simply to recast the part. I am greatly saddened that I will not get to complete my portrayal of Victoria for the Twilight audience. This is a story, a theatrical journey and a character that I truly love and about which I am very passionate. I will be forever grateful to the fan support and loyalty I’ve received since being cast for this role, and I am hurt deeply by Summit’s surprising decision to move on without me. I wish the cast and crew of Eclipse only the very best.“
Summit Entertainment announced yesterday that actress Bryce Dallas Howard (Terminator Salvation, Spider-Man 3, The Village) will replace Lefevre in the third Twilight movie (set for release on June 20, 2010) due to scheduling conflicts. Lefevre originated the role of Victoria in the first film, and will be seen in the sequel, New Moon, which is expected to be released theatrically in the U.S. and Canada on Nov. 20.
UPDATE: Summit Entertainment responds to Rachelle Lefevre’s statement
Photo Credit: Christian Lapid/startraksphoto.com
Comments (1-15) of 216 Add your comment
something told me that she wouldn’t just give this part up. summit entertainment is lying and they need to explain themselves.
watch robert pattinson
robertpattinson.me
i agree with you, rachelle was earning a lot of money off of this and if i were her i wouldn’t have quit. thats why it does seem unbeliveable that SHE was the one that quit. couldn’t summit come uo with a better excuse? serioulsy, it makes me wonder….
So basically, Summit jumped at the chance to replace a lesser known actor with a “name”. Lovely. Know wonder they have such a crappy rep. Cheap, ethicless, and shifty.
Sooooooooo True
Shame on Summit!
Rachelle Lefevre got screwed for a bigger name. Bring back the REAL Victoria!
What? First Taylor and now Rachel? Who will be next??? Dont they understand that Rachel IS VICTORIA!!???
Bad, bad decision. I am glad Rachel spoke up and let everyone know what really is going on!
taylor?? he IS gonna be in new moon!
Yes, but they wanted to boot him too. He had to beg to keep the part.
I bet Rob’s next…
Looks like they want to destroy ‘Eclipse’.
Don’t worry…Stephanie Meyer already destroyed Eclipse by her inability to write a good story.
haha Kevin’s comment made me laugh. I agree 100%
I agree with Kevin except the bad writing goes back New Moon.
I completely agree. I will likely not want to see that movie now. How can we finish the story with seeing someone else who I have to say will never replace her. I am so not excited to see that film.
Bring Rachel back, bring Rachel back!
Poor judgment on Summit’s behalf! Sad to think they would replace someone so fast. Not to disrespect Bryce but Rachelle made the role and is the only Victoria necessary.
Thats too bad but I think having Bryce will only make the character better.
Did I read right ? This aricle reads New Moon will be released 6/2010. .thought that was the release date of Eclipse. . .but about the article they are crasy to replace the role but with that actress . .she has done way too many movies to relate. .this may go the way of the Mummy 3 . .replacing a key character it just didn’t work (after 2 sucessful sequels)and the movie was less enjoyable because of it.
the article says that the 6/10 release date is for Eclipse and the 11/09 date is for New Moon…as always
Thats pretty crappy. It was clear from the beginning that it was shady, but now it just looks more so.
I’m not even a fan of the Twilight brand but this is utterly disgusting! The woman followed the rules and yet she still finds herself out in the cold? Makes no sense. Howard’s not even a good actress, I opt for the original girl or a stick with a wig on it.
Man I hate Summit so much right now. Does it really matter if for ten freaking days she cant be there? Victoria’s part isnt huge in Eclipse anyway. Recasting for the final movie with Victoria is STUPID and it pisses people off such as myself. Seriously this is insane how ridiculous summit is getting. Bryce is a great actress but she should not be playing Victoria when clearly rachelle can do it as she clearly already has and has done it really well.
To correct you…. Victoria’s part is huge in Eclipse. You need to read up on your Twilight Saga. Eclipse is the book in which Edward battles Victoria
To be sure the battle is big, but other than that, Victoria is only spoken of (unless you suspect that it was her hair that Bella saw on the water when she jumped off the cliff, (as I do) but Bella didn’t even think about her til much later)
WTF Summit? I knew the “schedule conflict” thing seemed fishy.
Summit has acted very unethically by firing Rachelle this way. For what? A name, or perhaps a smaller salary? It’s disgusting the way Summit is acting and has been with the Twilight saga (small budgets, not enough pre production time) since the beginning. And yet, they will be very happy to milk the cow and exploit us to the limit with all the crappy Twilight merchandise they’ll sell.
So Summit is pretty much just in it for the money. They can’t wait ten days. Ten days. And now they look like tools. Awesome. Poor Howard and poor Lefevre for being caught up in this crap. Way to go, Summit! You win!