I can’t believe Summit Entertainment actually did this! I am shocked. Rachelle was the perfect Victoria. Summit Entertainment you fail.
***UPDATED WITH RACHELLE’S STATEMENT***
From E-Online
UPDATE: We just received this exclusive statement from Lefevre:
“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.”
Sign the petition Here
Join the Facebook Group here
Write to summit PROTEST mail RE:Rachel LeFevre VS Bryce Dallas Howard:Summit Entertainment,1630 Stewart St, Suite 120 Santa Monica, CA 90404
More after the jump
This post isn’t Rob related but the news are hitting the Twilight World like a storm. I for one am really sad to see Rachelle go. Best of luck in the rest of your career Rachelle.
THE TWILIGHT SAGA ADDS ACTRESS BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD TO FILM FRANCHISE
Actress Rachelle Lefevre Will Be Replaced By Howard In The Role Of Victoria
Los Angeles – July 28, 2009 – 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.
THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, the third film in the studio’s TWILIGHT film franchise based on Stephenie Meyer’s blockbuster book series, will be directed by David Slade from a screenplay written by Melissa Rosenberg. The film will be released theatrically in North America on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
“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.”
Howard most recently starred in TERMINATOR SALVATION as Kate Connor and has been seen in SPIDER-MAN 3, LADY IN THE WATER, and THE VILLAGE. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her leading performance as an actress in the HBO film AS YOU LIKE IT.
In THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.
Howard is represented by ICM and Management 360.
About the TWILIGHT film series
The TWILIGHT film series stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson and tells the story of 17-year-old Bella Swan who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington to live with her father, and becomes drawn to Edward Cullen, a pale, mysterious classmate who seems determined to push her away. But neither can deny the attraction that pulls them together…even when Edward confides that he and his family are vampires.
The action-packed, modern day vampire love story and blockbuster success the first film in the series titled TWILIGHT was released in theatres on November 21, 2008. The second installment of the film franchise, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, will be released November 20, 2009.
Melissa Rosenberg wrote the scripts for all three films in The TWILIGHT film series.
About Summit Entertainment LLC
Summit Entertainment is a worldwide theatrical motion picture development, financing, production and distribution studio. The studio handles all aspects of marketing and distribution for both its own internally developed motion pictures as well as acquired pictures. Summit Entertainment, LLC also represents international sales for both its own slate and third party product. Summit Entertainment, LLC plans to release 10 to 12 films annually.
This is a pic of Bryce Dallas Howard
Thinking of Rob 
sucks…but bussiness is bussiness. Surely she will be missed in Eclipse.
Rachelle is one smart coockie, she will be fine.
Good luck to her!
Scheduling conflict, well, they got the word conflict right at least. But when the star and her boyfriend go to the newly-hired replacement director and make a demand, you can be sure somebody pays attention, and somebody did.
Notice how Rachelle was giving interviews as late as last week talking about how she was looking forward to the next picture? Hmmm.
That’s what made me go hmm…Interview after interview about Eclipse and now bam !! WTF !!!
Something does not smell quite so right …especially when it comes to Summit !!!
I think that this is utterly ridiculous. Summit has no idea the kind of talent they just lost and will not regain. Rachelle was the perfect Victoria. I can’t wait until all the outraged Twilight fans give Summit and frickin David Slade HELL for this decision. Haha, scheduling conflicts?? No no. Rachelle knew about Eclipse. Just last week she announced on Comic Con how happy she was to be a part of it. She’s been enthusiastic throughout this whole thing.
I think this just shows blantant disrespect for her as an actor. They seem to not value the actors that work for them very much. To me, from her statement, this seems like a sneak attack that she had no idea was coming. They could have totally worked around her schedule, it is only 10 days for the Barney’s Version. It just makes me upset that they choose to replace her instead of working with her on her schedule. I hope she goes on to have a great career, she deserves it.
I agree. Summit is a money hungry production company who doesn’t care a thing about their actors. Shame on you, Summit! Rachelle WAS and WILL ALWAYS BE Victoria!
They don’t care about anything. They’re pushing Rob to the limit too. Fuckers.
I detest Summit Entertainment more and more. Power hungry control freaks. Their statement made it sounds like it was Rachelle’s decision when it’s actually their decision to replace her. This us totally reprehensible and utter nonsense. I hope she sues.
Sorry for the typos. Wish there was an edit button. I’ve had a bad feeling about the filming of “Eclipse” ever since I heard/read about the new director David Slade. I hope this movie doesn’t get ruined and I hope the uproar from the fans will change Summit’s mind. It sure can’t hurt. Sign all petitions.
I, too, saw Rachelle’s great enthusiasm for “Eclipse” and the whole Twilight Saga at Comic Con. I have a feeling they didn’t like something she said. If I’m not mistaken, she made a comment about Summit in one of those backstage interviews – I wish I remembered which one. She’s sitting on a couch – I remember that.
FP….Gotta say this..
FUCK SUMMIT….LOSERS…FUCKING SUMMIT…
MMAB you haven’t seen the statement they released. Nasty, just plain nasty. Rules of PR were totally NOT respected.
#1 rule of PR: Don’t lie! Conceal info maybe. Lie? Never.
#2 Never come out with your claws out. Bad, bad, bad for the company.
Summit failed big time on their 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.
Source: http://twilightsource.com/?p=2661
I can’t even READ this garbage again. If you want to come out as the GOOD guy, which, at this point, I don’t believe Summit will EVER be, THIS is NOT the way to go about it. Rachelle had the chops and enthusiasm for the role. She was perfect. But all Summit sees are dollar signs. And here comes a BIG name to bring them more, more, more. They can spout this bullshit left and right, but I don’t believe TEN DAYS couldn’t be worked around. Please, Summit, stop treating us like ignorant morons. We can see past all your bullshit.
She signed for Twilight when it was still nothing. Now that they’re making it big they’re replacing her?
I don’t believe that statement they issued for a second.
FP I have eyes and I recognize BS when I see it..
FUCK SUMMIT..I have a brain..thank you and I use it…I recognize spin when I see it..
First David Slade apologizes and now this..Great Job Summit..Great job !!!! Piss of fans who will actually see this movie..
FUCKTARDS !!!!
Summit is not going to last long if they keep going on like this. Fucking load of bullshit.
Billy Burke tweeted this earlier: @billy_burke I have NO idea what went down with the Rachelle thing. None whatsoever. Bit confused myself. I gotta go bowling now. More later
How much are you willing to bet that Breaking Dawn will be directed by Ron Howard?
THAT is a SCARY ASS thought! Wait…yeah…I think I just threw up in my mouth a little…
Oh please don’t let him direct BD, I will so boycott that movie in a heartbeat!
Me too.
BD needs to be boycotted if Ron Howard is doing it..HELL NO..
if BDH is the replacement and Ron Howard directs BD no other explanation except nepotism..
*sigh*
If he does I’m not going to see, I can promise you that.
How much you wanna bet that Summit has ordered everyone in the cast to shut up about this?? What are they going to do? Reprimand or fire everyone who says something about Summit? Cus I’m pretty sure Kristen made a comment about them, too, at Comic Con.
Oh, I’m sure the whole cast has had a gag order put on them. They were noticeably absent from Twitter tonight, except for Billy, that is.
I don’t think anyone can gag Billy LOL
IF they replace Kristen or any of the other girls including Nikki and Ashley Summit will just have to close shop…that’s all.
i was SO pissed when i heard the news. Honestly, I don’t like BDH. I’ve seen a couple of her movies and I just don’t like her. and to me, bringing her in isn’t going to make more money, it’s only going to lose money when people are freaking out at her and booing her during promotions.
clearly this was a dumb move, and I really hope that Rachelle wins the lawsuit she is apparantly starting. Frankly, if she wins, i think she deserves to have to role given back to her and more money for all the trouble they caused.
friggin Summit, I hate them and their crappiness. Twilight made them big, and Rachelle made Victoria big.
screw them.
Summit never got back to me… I am shocked. NOT.
I applaud the younger generation for their discord & discourse which is alive and well. Summit knows it will still make a whopping Twilight profit BUT they have cut off their nose to spite their face! I am old enough to remember Ron Howard as dopie “Opie” – what a climb to despot nepotism. I will NEVER see or support by my dollars ANY movie/production (theatres, DVDs, ancillary merchandise) that Ron or Bryce or Summit are involved in/affiliated with. I’m so proud of this younger generation for smelling a rotten “red herring” and encourage any ongoing boycott/petition activity. Let them feel the power that their voices & choices have to bring Summit and the Howards down from their ivory towers. I hope that these Hollywood despots really feel the sting of their morally reprehensible attempt to steamroll Ms. Lefevre. They have grossly underestimated the intelligence and moxie of several generations of the moviegoing public. Please don’t back off or let the passionate activism die down – that’s what Summit will be counting on as the movies are released! Also, they will curtail their statements & interactions/replies. Don’t ease up the pressure! And GO AFTER any other cast/celebrity that supports Bryce and Daddy Ron – they will not want the negative publicity. Write letters, send postcards, emails, etc. to the point of continually flooding their offices (post mailing addresses everywhere). TOGETHER WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL!!!