Actress Rachelle Lefevre Will Be Replaced By Howard In The Role Of Victoria

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.
"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."


How does everyone feel about this? I for one hate when they do this in movies. I hate seeing new actors playing a role that has already been played in previous movies by someone else but at least she will only have to be in the one movie. Victoria gets killed off in this one and even in the book she is just mentioned except for in the battle when she is killed so it wont be too bad. I just hope they dont try changing anyone else. Aparently the Cullens, Bella and I think even Jacob are locked in by contracts for the rest of the films. Ashley mentioned that in an article saying that she was locked in except for Breaking Dawn which they werent even sure was going to be made at the time. I really hope this is the last casting change though because it tends to ruin the flow of the films as a whole when you keep switching out actors for a character. Rachelle will be in New Moon though.

Alright this post is being edited because let's face it.....new information has totally changed the circumstances. This just in from Rachelle Lefevre on the situation....

"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."


Come on now if this doesnt get this place back rolling then I dont know what will! What are your thougjhts about this whole situation?

Well I just read this on perezhilton.com and I was soo pissed! I loved Rachelle and I hate when they recast in sequels!drives me mad! I was in the car ranting to my mom(who could care less lol!) About how they better not go all hollywood on me. What's next Christian Bale as Edward and why not recast Danny Glover as Laurent(makes no sense,but I was pissed lol!) I'm calmer now and I really loves me some Bryce Dallas Howard! She is a good actress and she seems like a sweet and down to earth person who would fit right in with the cast seeing as they all seem like decent people who are dedicated to the series,great role models and are appreciative to the fans. If change was inevitable the I'm glad it was Bryce who took her place!


Now I'm not one for speculatin(ha!) But if Rachelle didn't return because of scheduling. You'd think she'd find time for the movie that put her out there! I'm just sayin!

This is all Summit's fault! They need to step up and just admit they made a mistake. This is Rachelle's part. She wants the part, she made the part what it is and she deserves to finish it out no matter so Summit just needs to set everything straight because we all know that Rachelle is the only Victoria we all want. People stood up for Taylor so they should stand up for this actress who has done nothing to have to be replaced.

Totally agree now I dont think it ruin the movie for me but I will say that I loved Rachelle as Victoria and I am not happy with how Summit is acting about this. They are making stupid decisions and getting money hungry. Yes some of their decisions have actually really worked out. Their scheduling and choices for directors has been great so far but this just makes you want to slap them. Poor Rachelle she seems really shocked by all of this and that is just not cool that they will do this to her. I will say this though....she does have a contract and she can fight it if she wanted to. I am sure Summit will be looking at the backlash this has caused and it will make them think twice!

Talk about drama here is Summit's reply.....

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.


Now I am all for yelling at Summit but this was a question that was brought up on a comment board before. Why would an actor commit to a project knowing it shoots at the same time as a film which is a priority to her? Why didnt Summit know about her film until last week.....if this statement is true of course. There are plenty of actors on the cast who are doing other projects but Summit has been fine working with them and staying in the know about their schedule. Peter's tv show, Jackson has films, Rob has TONS of films, KStew and Nikki are doing a film together and etc. Why was Rachelle's case any different? What about it was handled differently? It sounds like the blame isnt as clean cut as people want to make it. I feel for Rachelle because I dont think she realized she could get cut because of it but also Summit felt out of the loop and studios hate that crap. What are your thoughts?

you know I am sure if enough people cause a stink they will at least give this a rethought...

As for my thoughts, it sucks...I liked her as Victoria.

I loved her as Victoria but the question still remains if she cant be there for some really important things that Summit feels she should be there for should they reschedule everything for one castmate who honestly isnt a priority compared to a lot of the other cast? How will it affect the schedule? Even if they postponed something and moved the schedule.....how would that affect the rest of the cast since they are locked in on other movies that have already been moved and planned around the schedule they have now? This is getting messy and confusing. I can see Summit being mad because not only did she go public but she spoke about stuff they feel should have been kept only on a professional level and out of the public eye. At the same time Rachelle feels like she has been wronged and wants her story heard......the circular discussion just continues. I will miss Rachelle but not seeing her die as Victoria and having this Bryce chick die instead isnt going to make me boycott the movie lol. She will still be in New Moon. She will still be loved. This will just take time to get used to. I would love for Summit to just say you know what if you are willing to work around the schedule we have then you can come back.

Even after I posted it I just knew ths wasn't because of Rachelle's scheduling,but because Summit sucks! They wonder why the only successful movie they have is Twilight! And they're tryna fuck that up too! Whoever is in charge of shit over there needs to go back to business school!

It isnt that crucial and maybe we should all actually listen to what both sides are saying before we accuse and point fingers. I am guilty of doing that with this situation as well and wanting to blame Summit for not being able to keep Rachelle. But think about this. Studios have to schedule a location for a certain time frame. Some locations are only booked for days not months. What if during Rachelle's little filming trip for those ten days she was actually needed for a crucial scene on location? They would have to rebook the location, change the schedule, and every other actor would have been affected because of it. I am sure the actors would have tried to work it out but it would cause issues with money and time. Once production starts it starts and I doubt David Slade was like Hardwicke where the production crew has no clue what is going to happen or what scenes will be shot at a location. This is all very organized and timed....the problem with that is with one kink in the plan....the whole thing can easily become chaos. Poor Rachelle didnt realize how crucial those ten days were to Summit which is a lack of communication by her, her agent and summit's people. They are both at fault not one extreme to another. I must admit though this topic does have this place coming back to life though

I agree with Maria and I think it after hearing from both sides it isnt something just clean cut as to who to blame. It sounds like a total lack of communication on both sides. No matter what I wasnt going to the movie to see Victoria....well maybe to see her die lol. All in all it has happened and now I just want to see pics from the cast in Vancouver this August and be happy about them shooting Eclipse.

oh wow..i didnt know that lol
but i guess i dont really care..she dies anyway..and i never really liked her

LMAO you are really straight to the point and forward.....its refreshing. Yea I know some ppl are still freaking over it but it happened, BDH will be in Eclipse...and die in Eclipse....then we dont have to worry about it anymore. I just want to see Eclipse as soon as possible so if Rachelle was holding up production then they needed to move on. I liked her but it happens.