There's a new controversy swirling around the Twilight Saga.
And it's got nothing to do with Team Edward vs. Team Jacob.
Yesterday, Summit Entertainment announced that it had recast the role of Victoria in Eclipse. Bryce Dallas Howard will be taking over for Rachelle Lefevre.
The studio says that Lefevre's shooting schedule for her next movie, Barney Version, coincides too much with the production of the third film in this iconic franchise. In a statement she just released, it's clear the actress disagrees:
“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.
Does Rachelle Lefevre have a legitimate beef? Do you wanna see her in the role of Victoria?
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.“
In response, the movie studio wrote:
"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."
Chime in now, fans: Whose side are you on in this feud?
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86 Comments
July 30th, 2009 8:48 AM
The Summit Entertainment studio seems to be stupid enough to anger the Twilight fans strongly.
The fans could start to boycott the Summit films, when they feel taken for a ride by the studio bosses.
Rachelle Lefevre personalizes Victoria for the fans! She is not exchangeable!
When they will start to exchange the actors, they can just forget the incredible effect of the unique chemistry the actors evolved all together yet. Then it´s just an exchangeable mass-production, nothing extraordinary!
I would stop watching it!
July 30th, 2009 11:06 AM
THis is total BS!! You can't just simply take someone out of a role that is critical to a film like Rachelle role! Eclipse is entirely based on Victorias attempts to get to Bella and the fight scence is one of the best out of all three books! Summit is ridiculous and thoughtless not to have kept Rachelle on board! I wouldn't be suprised if this hurts them substantially in the box office and with sales because fans want consistency. Accomodations could have been made, seems to me like there's something going down that isn't on the up and up. Whoever this Bryce chick is, she is not going to portray a good victoria and I doubt fans will be very accepting of her. Good job Summit, you have have just dug yourself into a hole you won't be able to get out of!
July 30th, 2009 11:09 AM
summit is being stupid! in twilight cam also had a scheduling conflict they worked around it. Now they can't work around a mere 10 days when they will be filming eclipse for 3 freaking months!
please sign this petition to get rachelle bck on for eclipse!
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/rachelleinecpliseyes
July 30th, 2009 11:10 AM
I can NOT believe this, its stupid and absolutely harsh, Rachelle did so much for Twilight, and she is completely committed, Eclipse will not be the same with her not in it, and i cam very upset by this, Summitt are turning into right dicks.
July 30th, 2009 11:10 AM
Wow, You know Summit there is a time when a performance is priceless and you have chosen to treat your fans as idiots who can't tell the difference. Funny how both Kristen and Robert have done some other films while this is going on but have not been recasted? You have shown poor judement and while I support the book I will not be supporting you and watching the movie. For all fans that wish to have your view respected by a industry that is suppose to be making a film for us I request that you boycott as well. We are the customers and it seems all too often that businesses forget that. Someone had a power trip the day this decision was made. Write to the studio about your disapproval. It may delay the movie but would rather have the right person playing the right character then to pay for trash!
July 30th, 2009 11:10 AM
My first reaction was Summit wanted to amp up the star power of Eclipse. I agree that Bryce will do a fantastic job with the role, as she is a great actor. But that is not the sore point.
Summit is showing itself to be a ruthless money hungry corporation. I, like many Twilight fans, chose to seek out other Summit movies to support this company. I will no longer do this as they have a long road to make up for this. I am not a teenager, nor am I naive. I have lived a life of more than 50 years, and this Summit fiasco reeks of greed and conceit.
Rachelle may have given Summit a loophole to exploit, but at this point it just looks like Summit kicked her to the curb and chose to find a shinier star.
July 30th, 2009 11:13 AM
I can not believe the reaction everyone is having over Rachelle. It seems to me that if "Victoria" was that important to Rachelle, she would have stepped down from the other roll she COMMITTED HERSELF TO. Do you really think that Summit just said "oh Rachelle, you're out".
They are the ones taking the risk, not Rachelle. Summit would have sat down with Rachelle and her people to talk this out. SHE made the decision to stay with ther other film.
I do not understand how any of you are not pissed off at Rachelle for making a commitment to another film AND LEAVING TWILIGT.
July 30th, 2009 11:13 AM
I disagree! You should definietly NOT take her out!! I agree with lunaestol. The fans would just forget the chemistry. When I read Eclipse, Rachelle Lefevre played Victoria NOT Bryce Dallas Howard
July 30th, 2009 11:14 AM
I think this is dumb. I hate when they have a series of movies and switch actors two play the same roles. The only series I've ever seen get away with this is Harry Potter when the original actor playing Dumbledore passed away, they found a very good replacement for him and it didn't ruin the movies! That's the ONLY ONE! Rachelle played a very good victoria and she did so good while re-reading the books I put her in that part. 10 days of over-lap and they are going to re-cast her part...that is rediculous!
July 30th, 2009 11:15 AM
With all due respect to Bryce Dallas Howard, I'm really disappointed to learn that Summit is replacing Rachelle Lefevre wiht her. I know Howard will do a fine job in portraying Victoria, but the fans have already devoted themselves to Rachelle for this roll. I hope it's not too late for Summit to see their mistake and rectify it. The roll belongs to Lefevre. Just like the roll of Jacob Black belongs to Taylor Lautner. Fans want continuity, to say nothing of actor support for the saga!