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Twilight's Rachelle Lefevre 'stunned' by recasting
A day after Twilight studio Summit Entertainment announced the replacement of Rachelle Lefevre with Bryce Dallas Howard in the key role of Victoria in the third movie, Eclipse, Lefevre broke her silence to Access Hollywood, saying she was "stunned" by the decision.
"I was stunned by Summit's decision to recast the role of Victoria for 'Eclipse,'" Rachelle said in a statement to the entertainment show.
Summit attributed the change to schedule conflicts.
Here's the rest of Lefevre's statement:
"I was fully committed to the Twilight saga, and to the portrayal of Victoria," Rachelle continued, explaining the turn of events that led to the casting change. "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."
On Wednesday, Lefevre tweeted to her fans: "I am so touched by all your responses and feel incredibly blessed to have fans like you. From the bottom of my heart: THANK YOU."
Lefevre played the villainous Victoria in the previous two Twilight movies, including New Moon, which is due Nov. 20.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse will start filming in Vancouver, Canada, in August. The film will be released June 30, 2010.
By JT at 7:12 PM ON 07/29/09
Ahh, the ongoing drama of Hollywood bloodsuckers f**ing over talent playing bloodsuckers. Ironic.
HOWEVER, There are 3 sides to every story; Hers, Theirs, and the truth.
By ducatigirl at 7:36 PM ON 07/29/09
Lesson learned...unless you're Robert Pattinson or Kristen Stewart, don't sign onto other stuff when you're doing something as big as Twilight!
By Maxwell at 8:02 PM ON 07/29/09
Im not a fan of these movies-- but what a slap in the face to those fans.
I would be pissed off if they replaced, say, Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter over something as stupid as a few days... JUST DONT SHOOT HER SCENES THAT WEEK... or at least give her a chance to break her commitment to the other project.
By Justo at 9:36 PM ON 07/29/09
Didn't read any of the books, didn't see the first movie. But I'll still put in my 2 cents. I question the wisdom in this move. They are making these films at a break neck pace and I can't imagine the quality won't suffer because of it.
By JT at 9:41 PM ON 07/29/09
.......Meh, who cares (scratching my monkey nuts)
By larell at 11:09 PM ON 07/29/09
that is totally bull crap they just keep changing things
from the werewolves looking not so much as at least good,to this changing key characters in the middle of the movies this really sucks
By luis811 at 12:28 AM ON 07/30/09
IT'S like I said before Summit is an ASS WHOLE!!!!
By Muldfeld at 12:50 AM ON 07/30/09
I'm with the poor barely known actress who gave up a bunch of roles for this film. Typical Hollywood scumbaggery. Iron Man 2 did the same, though that actor was better known.
By me at 1:41 AM ON 07/30/09
I feel bad for Rachelle Lefevre. I thought she was perfect for the role with the wild red hair, her acting, and her voice. Summit Entertainment did her wrong. I'm not sold on Bryce Dallas Howard being able to fit this role. There might be a backlash on this move if Bryce Dallas Howard doesn't bring it.
By lelu at 2:00 AM ON 07/30/09
Summit accommodated Cam's schedule in filming Twilight. My daughter jokingly said Demi Moore will now probably call up Summit and get one of her daughters to play Bella. The film industry is filled with bloodsucking vampires who have no regard for humanity. I hope Twilight fans create a storm of opposition to this recast that resonates at the box office.
By hmmmmm at 4:34 AM ON 07/30/09
I totally don't understand why the girl who committed to two projects at the same time is the victim here? Shouldn't she have contacted Summit first and gone "hey, I want to do this film at this time" a bit earlier than a few weeks before filming begins?
By Muldfeld at 1:00 PM ON 07/30/09
Yeah, but hmmmmm, she's not popular at all, so that means she's not getting paid much. She has to get work when she can, if she ever hopes to build up her popularity or even pay the bills.
By kellyt at 2:34 PM ON 07/30/09
This was a BAD move by Summit. I would say that I hope they know what they're doing, but I could care less about them now. Loyalty clearly plays no role here. I'm curious whose decision this ultimately was and what is was ULTIMATELY based on. Rachelle is an actress making her living and Summit has become a bit too high on themselves. Bryce Dallas Howard is a very talented actress, but this might be fan-suicide for her. RACHELLE IS VICTORIA!
By Aaron at 1:35 AM ON 07/31/09
I'm distraught that they would compromise the integrity of the film interpretation of a modern classic in this way.
Nah I'm just kidding. I don't care. Now if her and Bryce Dallas Howard had to wrestle in bikinis while standing in a kids pool full of melted chocolate for the part. THAT would be news worthy.
By JT at 4:12 PM ON 08/01/09
Ma Man Aaron!
Rachelle Lefevre & Bryce Dallas Howard duke it out in a pool of melted chocolate for the role??
Classic! I'd pay good money 2 c that. (that and a pair of ducatigirl's underwear)
By bellaB at 9:23 AM ON 08/05/09
Summit = Real Life VOLTURI
meaning: untrustworthy, game playing, tyrannic, hard, cold, inhuman, insane, power-obsessed, imbesille
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bellaB:
Summit = Real Life VOLTURI meaning: untrustworthy, game playing, tyrannic, hard, cold, inhuman, insane, power-obse...More »