Lefevre and Summit speak out about recasting

AP Photo/The Canadian Press

When Summit announced yesterday that they would be replacing Rachelle Lefevre with Bryce Dallas Howard for the role of Victoria in Eclipse, Twilight fans were on the brink of mutiny. Many sat by their computers all day, refreshing their favorite Twilight blogs and waiting breathlessly for some sort of statement from either camp.

Around 6:00 this evening, Access Hollywood posted a personal 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,” she said.

The majority of fans, naturally, were outraged and expressed their anger at Summit and their support for Lefevre. #BringBackRachelle became a Twitter trending topic in record time by the sheer force of the Twilight fandom. Petitions made the rounds and fans signed their names to the plea to return Lefevre to her role. Lefevre even expressed her gratitude to the fans on her own Twitter: “I am so touched by all your responses and feel incredibly blessed to have fans like you. From the bottom of my heart: THANK YOU.”

As the fans rallied, so did Summit. Rumors surfaced of Summit executives meeting to discuss the issue; fans dared to hope that this would all be just a bad dream by tomorrow.

Then came Summit’s official statement, delivered by Twilight fansites at 10:30pm.

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.

What was obviously meant to clear up the issue ended up adding fuel to the fire. The fan reaction has been staggering, with many vowing to write to Summit directly and demand that Lefevre be added back to the cast of the Twilight saga. Messages to Lefevre’s Twitter account continue to flood in. “You will forever be Victoria in my eyes! I'm sorry politics and company BS had to lead to this. Stay strong sister!” wrote one fan. Another encouraged Lefevre to “stand up to Summit and fight for that role.”

Lefevre's future with Twilight may be unsure, but one thing isn't: for Twilight fans, the fight is far from over.