I KNEW IT! I mother-effing knew it! Early Wednesday we learned that Summit Entertainment announced that actress Rachelle Lefevre has been replaced by actress Bryce Dallas Howard in the role of evil vampire Victoria for the third Twilight movie The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Summit explained that Rachelle was not able to fulfill the role of Victoria in Eclipse due to “scheduling conflicts” so they instead decided to hire Bryce in her place. At the time we heard the news, I KNEW that the “scheduling conflict” explanation was bullshit … and it turns out that I was right. Lefevre has issued an official statement on her firing and explains, in her words, how “stunned” and “saddened” she was to learn that she was fired from the role she originated. Here is the full text of her official statement:
“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 10 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 10 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.”
I SOOOOO knew it. Scheduling conflicts my ASS! There’s no way Summit couldn’t make the 10 days she would spend on the other film not work into the Eclipse shooting schedule. Summit must’ve LEAPED at the chance to hire Bryce Dallas Howard in her place because of who she is. It’s pretty damn gross that they would be so blatant about it. I feel so bad for Rachelle Lefevre because she really was great in the role of Victoria. Eclipse would’ve been her time to shine as Victoria‘s role is more pronounced in that installment. Damn … the other Twilight actors better watch their backs. Who knows who else might get the axe should Summit Entertainment decide to replace them for a bigger name actor.
UPDATE: Summit Entertainment has issued their own official statement in response to Lefevre‘s statement, here it is in full:
“We at Summit Entertainment are disappointed by Rachelle Lefevre’s recent comments which attempt to make her career choices the fault of the Studio. Her decision to discuss her version of the scheduling challenges publicly has forced the Studio to set the record straight and correct the facts. Ms. Lefevre’s representatives were advised as early as April that THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE was expected to start shooting in early August. If Ms. Lefevre was, as she describes “passionate,” about being part of THE TWILIGHT SAGA, we feel that she and her representatives would have included us in her decision to work on another film that would conflict with the shooting schedule of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE. It was not until July 20th that Summit was first informed of Ms. Lefevre’s commitment to BARNEY’S VERSION, a commitment we have since been advised she accepted in early June. Summit had acted in good faith that she would be available to fulfill her obligations both in terms of rehearsals and shooting availability for THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE. We feel that her choice to withhold her scheduling conflict information from us can be viewed as a lack of cooperative spirit which affected the entire production. Furthermore Ms. Lefevre took a role in the other film that places her in Europe during the required rehearsal time, and at least ten days of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE’s principal photography. This period is essential for both rehearsal time with the cast, and for filming at key locations that are only available during the initial part of production. Contrary to Ms. Lefevre’s statement, it is simply untrue that the Studio dismissed her over a ten day overlap. It is not about a ten day overlap, but instead about the fact that THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE is an ensemble production that has to accommodate the schedules of numerous actors while respecting the established creative vision of the filmmaker and most importantly the story. The fact remains that Ms. Lefevre’s commitment to the other project – which she chose to withhold from Summit until the last possible moment – makes her unfortunately unavailable to perform the role of Victoria in THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE.” –Summit Entertainment
Oh snap … the studio doesn’t seem too happy at Rachelle‘s comments on her firing but, to be honest, I still believe her. It’s way too convenient that Rachelle gets the boot and Summit gets the benefit of Bryce Dallas Howard stepping in to fill the role. And the fact that they kept the casting change a secret until after Rachelle did her duty and appeared at 2009 San Diego Comic-Con this past weekend is totally dubious. I still call bullshit on Summit‘s shady dealings with their actors. Again I warn the Twilight cast, watch yer backs.
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lols man summit are talking out of their ass its obviously that they did what she said plus when u read their statement to me it sounds like they werent happy with her doing a job on another film, sounds like they just wanted her and then when she took another job which is natural in the industry they blown it up to sound like their victims TOTAL dickheads.
TBH the director of the first one didnt she get fired after that or was it after the 2nd film for some bs reasons.
But why would she take another job during the filming of Twilight if she was so passionate about. Haven’t watched the movie so don’t know how good she is, but if she really didn’t tell them about the conflict then its her own fault.
I just can’t believe it only took them 9 days to replace her, and they still held off from telling her until AFTER they did Comic-Con.
Cause I have to think if she knew she was getting fired, there’s no way she’d have shown up at CC.
I know I sure wouldn’t have.
Summit needs to stop treating their actors/writers/producers like they’re expenable, or no one’s going to want to work for them.
@ erin: “Now playing the role of Bella Swan in Breaking Dawn: Miley Cyris
Esme Cullen played by Megan Fox
and Renesme Cullen played by Suri Cruise”
LOL! Especially Renesme… oh god. Brills.
i am obviously the minority out here… but i am kinda stoked. i never really cared for that victoria! meh. if they had an issue with her missing 10 days…. maybe it was the 10 days they needed her there! either way… don’t bite the hand that feeds ya. SHE was no one before twilight (i’d never heard of her) and this is a pretty damn big roll for her…. she’s kicking herself in the ass right about now i bet!
Thanks for the mailing address so I can write a letter! Done and Done! It may not do any good, they may not even read it, but at least I feel like I’ve done my part in voicing my opinion.
:)
@Cupcake, thanks for the address!
I met Rachelle at the first Twilight Convention for Creationent in San Francisco, and she was so graceful and amazing and truly beautiful.. I really want her to play Victoria!!
Summit Entertainment issued that recent statement just to save face…. I DONT BUY IT!!! bunch of douchebags! i can’t believe they’re replacing Rachelle just like that… They’re ruining the flow of this movie for the fans… ARRRGGGHHH! Such bullies!
You people are pathetic — she did a great job, you’re going to boycott the movie — right. This unknown chick had about 12 frames of screen time and one line in Twilight. Do you really think Summit cares about her salary? What do you think it is for a bit part, 100K? We’re talking about this franchise grossing over a billion. Why should they rearrange or hold up their shooting schedule for some nobody who should be thanking God they gave her the best job she’s ever going to have. She acted like an ungrateful amateur and they gave her spot to a pro. And every one of you whiners we’ll be in line to see this trash the day it opens.
First of all, I think this is total crap that Summit would do this to one of the actors on Twilight. Once New Moon comes out it will be halfway through the series and that is not the time to be replacing actors. I read on that Awful Truth blog at E! that the Eclipse shooting schedule was moved up and maybe they moved it up just so they had a reason to replace Rachelle, or maybe not. Who knows, either way what Summit has done is real shitty. And while I am not a crazy fan of these movies, I still think that what Summit did is stupid and incredibly disrespectful. They are basically telling Rachelle that they do not care about all the time and energy she has put into bringing this character to life. Summit better fix this!!
Also, everyone says Bryce Dallas Howard is such a “big name” and established actress but in my opinion she really is not. Because I was bored I looked on IMDB and Rachelle has twice the number of acting credits as Bryce. Just because Bryce has been in bigger movies does not make her the better actress, just the richer one.
Sorry about this long rant but what Summit did has really irritated me and I just needed a place to rant :D
UGH i cant stand Bryce howard – she makes this whoel deal aobut how she doesnt get any part becasue of beign ron Howard’s daughter. Yea right she’s ugly and can’t act —it really has left a bad taste in my mouth. Twilight won’t be the same
Sign a petition, send them a letter, or email them:
‘EFeig@summit-ent.com’; ‘NKirkpatrick@summit-ent.com’; ‘VMayer@summit-ent.com’; ‘Wyck@templehillent.com’; ‘Paul@pcommgroup.com’; ‘RFriedman@summit-ent.com’; ‘PWachsberger@summit-ent.com’; ‘BHayward@summit-ent.com’; ‘DGarrett@summit-ent.com’; ‘RHohauser@summit-ent.com’; ‘RFay@summit-ent.com’; ‘SNickerson@summit-ent.com’
I agree with Lubeck. (not the insulting parts though)
It is annoying. I hate when actors change in the middle of a series as well.
I get it though. I can understand both sides, but in the end you can’t expect the entire rest of the cast and crew of a movie to rearrange their schedules for you. She really shouldn’t of accepted the other role in the end if she really wanted to stay in Eclipse.
Also, not very nice of the some of you who are talking poo about Bryce.
Another also, 10 days is a HUGE amount of time to be unavailable when you were told to be. 3 months is Production time NOT Shooting time. (someone above also mentioned.) It seems to me that they are probably starting to shoot the ending part first which she would be needed in to get started on all the special effects stuff.
She made her bed now she must lie in it. Don’t get me wrong I wish she was continuing, but alas, it is what it is.
We should be welcoming Bryce to the Twilght Family instead of being Bitchy McBitches.
Screw summit. What jerks!
F@CK THAT B!TCH!!! Seriously…
…she HAD the job in Eclipse. Then she decided to take another job AFTER making the commitment for Eclipse. She is the one on the wrong. Effing actors think they can aways do what they want and have it their way all the time. Well, apparently, this little tw@t isn’t the diva she thinks she is.
And you IDIOTS always seem to side with the actors.
@seriously — Is that you, president of Summit Entertainment?
She is such a nice girl, I’ve seen her on interviews – and she gets along so well with the cast of Twilight. They should have got together and protested it. I’m sure if Rob Pattinson refused to continue they would do anything to get him back. People think they can bully and oppress others when they are small and weak because they have power and money. That’s backstabbing and betrayal to the first degree. It’s sick.
That was shitty of them to do that. If they wanted Bryce as a big name, surely they could’ve put her in another part??? Something in Breaking Dawn perhaps. I feel bad for Rachelle. Yup, those others better watch their backs. They wanted to oust Taylor as Jacob, which was bad judgment. What is wrong with those people?
This is basic contract law. She had obligations to Summit pursuant to her contract. If she told Summit that she could not satisfy one of those obligations, they had every right to replace her. This is the real world, people. Deal with it.
@Joey — “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 10 days. Summit picked up my option for Eclipse.” — Lefevre
No one mentioned how Summit probably has to work around Kirsten Stewart’s schedule with The Runaways, just saying. It’s still pretty effed up but I mean, we don’t know how complex the situation was even though they don’t make it out to sound very complex at all besides “those 10 days were VERY important!”. Rachelle did a decent job in Twilight but who knows what Bryce can bring, even if she is not the same person. She has a lasting face what with our final view of Twilight being Rachelle walking down the stairs towards revenge so you know you wanna see that face again, but after New Moon comes out, how much are we still gonna remember her then? It’s gonna be Jacob and all his werewolf pals. Plus, I remember one very significant line that stood out to my in Eclipse, at the end (SPOILER) a flaming red fireball that is Victoria’s head bouces off a tree and rolls across the ground after Edward tears it off her neck, and well, I really wanna see that! And Rachelle’s hair was not a dramatic fireball, she looked more angelic. Like I said, we don’t know what Bryce could bring, I really like her work, she’s a creeper. haha This all really sucks but I’ll reserve my opinion till after the movie!
Bryce Dallas Howard — yuck! Talk about overrated celebs who got where they are through nepotism. Damn she’s ugly too.
Right up there with Joan Rivers’s talentless, homely daughter.