As we mentioned earlier, Summit Entertainment announced – to the surprise of EVERYONE – that Rachelle Lefevre would not be reprising her role as “Victoria” in the third film in the Twilight series, Eclipse.├é┬á Instead, actress (and Ron Howard’s daughter), Bryce Dallas Howard will be taking over as the redheaded beauty.
You were surprised.├é┬áWe were surprised.├é┬áBut no one was more surprised than Rachelle, who was “stunned by Summit’s decision.”├é┬á
Of being recast, she says:
├óΓé¼┼ôI was fully committed to the ├óΓé¼╦£Twilight├óΓé¼Γäó 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 ├óΓé¼╦£Barney├óΓé¼Γäós Version├óΓé¼Γäó is only ten days. Summit picked up my option for ├óΓé¼╦£Eclipse.├óΓé¼Γäó Although the production schedule for ├óΓé¼╦£Eclipse├óΓé¼Γäó 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 ├óΓé¼╦£Eclipse,├óΓé¼Γäó 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.├é┬á I am greatly saddened that I will not get to complete my portrayal of Victoria for the ├óΓé¼╦£Twilight├óΓé¼Γäó 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├óΓé¼Γäóve received since being cast for this role, and I am hurt deeply by Summit├óΓé¼Γäós surprising decision to move on without me. I wish the cast and crew of ├óΓé¼╦£Eclipse├óΓé¼Γäó only the very best.”
Wow!├é┬áDick move on Summit’s behalf.├é┬áWonder why they were so eager to give the young actress the boot?
Will Twilighters accept the newcomer? Or will you be loyal to the ousted Lefevre??
P.S. This is probably the best thing that could have happened to Rachelle Lefevre, actually. Now, everybody knows Rachelle Lefevre, right Rachelle Lefevre????
You will look back at this and be thankful Rachelle Lefevre!
[Image via WENN.]