"Twilight" fans weren’t the only ones surprised by the news that Bryce Dallas Howard was replacing Rachelle Lefevre on the third film "Eclipse."
“I was stunned,” says Lefevre in a statement. “I was fully committed to the ‘Twilight’ saga.” Lefevre, who played villain Victoria in the first Summit Entertainment-produced film and its upcoming sequel “New Moon,” said she turned down “several other film opportunities” and accepted only roles with short shooting schedules to make time for “Eclipse.” “I am hurt deeply by Summit’s surprising decision to move on without me,” she says. Summit said the actress was leaving because of a scheduling conflict with her upcoming film “Barney’s Version,” which begins filming the same day as “Eclipse.” POLL: Who Will Make a Better Victoria But Lefevre says her commitment to the indie film was only less than two weeks. “Given the length of filming for ‘Eclipse,’ never did I fathom I would lose the role over a 10-day overlap.” People.com: Taylor Lautner & Robert Pattinson’s abs ignite ‘New Moon’ frenzy at Comic-Con
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“I was happy with my contract with Summit and was fully prepared to continue to honor it,” she adds. “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.” Lefevre, however, says she “will be forever grateful to the fan support and loyalty” and “I wish the cast and crew of ‘Eclipse’ only the very best.”
