14 DAY TRIAL // Summit Entertainment has made the decision to replace Rachelle Lefevre, who played villain Victoria in the first two installments of “The Twilight Saga,” with Bryce Dallas Howard, claiming a scheduling conflict. Far from this being the case, Lefevre says in a recently released statement that she was simply shut out of the third and fourth films without any good reason whatsoever, as JustJared can confirm.
Summit said in the press release announcing the change from Lefevre to Howard that the former actress was signed on to start work on “Barney’s Version,” which is also scheduled to start shooting on August 17, the same date that “Eclipse” goes into production. Since it would have been impossible for Rachelle to do both things at once, Summit chose to find another star who was not bound by any other contract. What the movie studio completely ignored, though, Lefevre says, is that she was more than willing to see that she played by the stipulations of her contract with Summit first and foremost.
“I was stunned by Summit [Entertainment]’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.” Lefevre says.
Given that she was not even given a chance to try and operate some changes to her working schedule, Levefre now feels that she was shut out for other reasons than those made public. Moreover, the actress insists, the switch had nothing to do with money, as speculation in the media has it – in the sense that she was not “dumped” because she had asked for a bigger paycheck. Playing Victoria was something that she wanted – and still wants – to do, a part to which she had dedicated her everything and that she hoped she could carry through until the final installment in the franchise.
“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.” Rachelle Lefevre concludes by saying.