July
28
Twilight: Eclipse Recasts Victoria
The Twilight franchise has a new Victoria. Summit is announcing that in the third Twilight film, Eclipse, Bryce Dallas Howard (Terminator Salvation) will replace Rachelle Lefevre.
UPDATE: When Lefevre protested that a ten day overlap with another project should have been possible for the production to accommodate, Summit sent out a statement Wednesday describing why that was impossible.
Press release and statement on the jump.
THE TWILIGHT SAGA ADDS ACTRESS BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD TO FILM FRANCHISE Actress Rachelle Lefevre Will Be Replaced By Howard In The Role Of Victoria Los Angeles – July 28, 2009 – Summit Entertainment announced today that Bryce Dallas Howard will take over the role of “Victoria” in the studio’s upcoming production of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE. Actress, Rachelle Lefevre, who portrayed the character in TWILIGHT as well as the upcoming release of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON, will not continue in the role due to scheduling conflicts with another commitment the actor has made. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE will start filming in Vancouver this coming August. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, the third film in the studio’s TWILIGHT film franchise based on Stephenie Meyer’s blockbuster book series, will be directed by David Slade from a screenplay written by Melissa Rosenberg. The film will be released theatrically in North America on Wednesday, June 30, 2010. “We are incredibly happy that Bryce has agreed to come into the franchise,” said Erik Feig, Summit’s President of Worldwide Production and Acquisitions. “Rachelle brought “Victoria” to great screen life and Bryce will bring a new dimension to the character. The franchise is lucky to have such a talented actress as Bryce coming in to fill the role.” Howard most recently starred in TERMINATOR SALVATION as Kate Connor and has been seen in SPIDER-MAN 3, LADY IN THE WATER, and THE VILLAGE. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her leading performance as an actress in the HBO film AS YOU LIKE IT. In THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life. Howard is represented by ICM and Management 360. About the TWILIGHT film series The TWILIGHT film series stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson and tells the story of 17-year-old Bella Swan who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington to live with her father, and becomes drawn to Edward Cullen, a pale, mysterious classmate who seems determined to push her away. But neither can deny the attraction that pulls them together…even when Edward confides that he and his family are vampires. The action-packed, modern day vampire love story and blockbuster success the first film in the series titled TWILIGHT was released in theatres on November 21, 2008. The second installment of the film franchise, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, will be released November 20, 2009. Melissa Rosenberg wrote the scripts for all three films in The TWILIGHT film series. About Summit Entertainment LLC Summit Entertainment is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures. Summit Entertainment, LLC also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product. Summit Entertainment, LLC plans to release 10 to 12 films annually.
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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.
Summit Summit Europe
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.
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WOW!
Posted by: GOROB | July 28, 2009 at 07:21 PM
Based on what Rachelle Lefevre said, it looks like she was fired.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedishrag/2009/07/rachel-lefevre-stunned-and-saddened-to-be-replaced-in-eclipse.html
Posted by: marychan | July 29, 2009 at 06:19 PM
This just seems to solidify the notion that Summit wants to milk the story and the franchise for as much money as possible. They can and will replace any member of the team that might prevent the movies from coming out while the franchise is still red hot (ie. Catherine, now Rachelle). Seems to me to be a big smack in fans' faces.
Posted by: MJ | July 30, 2009 at 06:53 AM
Marc Malkin got some inside scoop about it.
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b136561_twilight_drama_what_happened_victoria.html
Posted by: marychan | July 30, 2009 at 12:43 PM
More update from Marc Malkin
http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b136855_rachelle_lefevre_vs_summit_call_in.html
Posted by: marychan | July 30, 2009 at 02:03 PM
This is sooo stupid! Rachelle was made to play victoria! Who cares if she's gone 10 days???!!!! She's not in all the scenes so they can shoot scenes she's not in those days shes gone! Ugh! They are IDIOTS!!!!!
Posted by: Katie | August 25, 2009 at 01:35 PM