Rachelle Lefevre Replaced in "Eclipse"

**RebelMan** · 07-28-2009, 10:24 PM

Scheduling conflicts led to casting change

By Steven Zeitchik
July 28, 2009, 09:57 PM ET

"Eclipse" is pulling a switcheroo.

The third installment in Summit's "Twilight" franchise will see Rachelle Lefevre, who was to play the role of villain Victoria in the pic, replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard when shooting begins in Vancouver on Aug. 17.

Lefevre played the role in the first pic, "Twilight," and in the upcoming "New Moon."

The studio attributed the move to scheduling conflicts. The actress was recently cast in the indie drama "Barney's Version" opposite Dustin Hoffman, which also has an Aug. 17 start date, only several thousand kilometers east, in Quebec.

Victoria attempts to kill heroine Bella (Kristen Stewart) as she avenges the death of her mate James. Dallas Howard has starred in "Terminator Salvation" and Spider-Man 3" among more niche fare.

**MSFixR** · 07-29-2009, 06:05 AM

Interesting. Howard is the better actor but the part in the first two books (movies) wasn't that big. I haven't read the third book yet so ???

**i_survived_disturbia** · 07-29-2009, 09:04 PM

Ugh, I hate it when they switch cast members, but oh well.

**RebelMan** · 07-30-2009, 01:24 AM

Lefevre, Summit Issue Statements on "Eclipse" Recasting
Source: Access Hollywood, Summit Entertainment
July 29, 2009

Last night, it was announced by Summmit Entertainment that the studio had replaced Rachelle Lefevre in the role of Victoria with Bryce Dallas Howard for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, the third film in the series to be directed by David Slade and opening June 30, 2010.

Lefevre issued the following statement to Access Hollywood saying she was as stunned as the fans are:

"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.' 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."

But Summit Entertainment has already responded in a public statement just received by ComingSoon.net:

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.

It's not often that you'll have an actor/actress and a studio releasing public statements about these kind of recastings.

**MSFixR** · 07-30-2009, 05:46 AM

Apparently they did not have a contract or one party could be suing the other for breach.

07-28-2009, 10:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
RebelMan AgEnT oF ChAoS Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Web Posts: 12,594 My Profile	Rachelle Lefevre Replaced in "Eclipse" Scheduling conflicts led to casting change By Steven Zeitchik July 28, 2009, 09:57 PM ET "Eclipse" is pulling a switcheroo. The third installment in Summit's "Twilight" franchise will see Rachelle Lefevre, who was to play the role of villain Victoria in the pic, replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard when shooting begins in Vancouver on Aug. 17. Lefevre played the role in the first pic, "Twilight," and in the upcoming "New Moon." The studio attributed the move to scheduling conflicts. The actress was recently cast in the indie drama "Barney's Version" opposite Dustin Hoffman, which also has an Aug. 17 start date, only several thousand kilometers east, in Quebec. Victoria attempts to kill heroine Bella (Kristen Stewart) as she avenges the death of her mate James. Dallas Howard has starred in "Terminator Salvation" and Spider-Man 3" among more niche fare.

07-29-2009, 06:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
MSFixR Moderate Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dante's Inferno, Circle 5 Posts: 13,283 My Profile	Interesting. Howard is the better actor but the part in the first two books (movies) wasn't that big. I haven't read the third book yet so ???

07-29-2009, 09:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
i_survived_disturbia Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,333 My Profile	Ugh, I hate it when they switch cast members, but oh well.

07-30-2009, 01:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
RebelMan AgEnT oF ChAoS Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Web Posts: 12,594 My Profile	Lefevre, Summit Issue Statements on "Eclipse" Recasting Source: Access Hollywood, Summit Entertainment July 29, 2009 Last night, it was announced by Summmit Entertainment that the studio had replaced Rachelle Lefevre in the role of Victoria with Bryce Dallas Howard for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, the third film in the series to be directed by David Slade and opening June 30, 2010. Lefevre issued the following statement to Access Hollywood saying she was as stunned as the fans are: "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.' 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." But Summit Entertainment has already responded in a public statement just received by ComingSoon.net: 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. It's not often that you'll have an actor/actress and a studio releasing public statements about these kind of recastings.

07-30-2009, 05:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
MSFixR Moderate Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dante's Inferno, Circle 5 Posts: 13,283 My Profile	Apparently they did not have a contract or one party could be suing the other for breach.

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