Twilight drama: Summit issues obnoxious statement about recasting

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Yesterday we heard that Twilight producers had made the decision to recast the role of villain vampire Victoria for the third installment of the series, Eclipse, set to film next year. Citing “scheduling conflicts,” they replaced actress Rachelle Lefevre, who stars in Twilight and the upcoming sequel New Moon, with Bryce Dallas Howard. In response, Lefevre issued a compelling and heartfelt statement explaining how surprised and upset she was about the decision. Here’s her statement about how she was unceremoniously dropped due to a ten day filming overlap:

“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.”

[From E-online]

In response, Summit has issued a self-righteous bullet point statement that rips apart Lefevre’s claims that she tried to work with them, and places the blame squarely on her:

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.

[From OK! Magazine]

Summit came across as defensive and haughty in that statement and they could have handled that so much better. You can see how they would callously replace an actress without giving her any warning or trying to work it out. I understand that it costs a fortune to film and as a small studio they’re probably upset at a perceived slight by an actress which could cost them a lot of money. They didn’t need to trash her, though, and could have issued a vague statement wishing her well instead of outlining the issue as if it was all her problem. They even made fun of her choice of words.

This is the same studio that blew off the issue when their lead actor, Robert Pattinson, was hit by a cab on the NY set of the film Remember Me. They didn’t even say they were concerned for his well being, and simply wrote “Robert Pattinson is fine. The reports are exaggerated and the accident was not caused by fans. Production continues.” That’s so obnoxious and dismissive. Summit has also come under fire for failing to provide proper security for Pattinson, who was mobbed by fans on set on several occasions. [Credit to commenter Anna on OK! for reminding me of this.]

Summit needs to hire a real PR person, someone with depth and concern for others who can actually write with feeling. Rachelle Lefevre certainly fits that description and I know her statement convinced me. She’s on my radar now, and I hope her career “eclipses” this series. Let’s hope the Twilight franchise isn’t doomed by this small but arrogant film studio which seems intent on running their cash cow into the ground.

Rachelle Lefevre is shown at an event on 3/24/09 and in stills from Twilight. Thanks to WENN.com

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35 Responses to “Twilight drama: Summit issues obnoxious statement about recasting”

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  1. Ling says:

    What I got from this article was BARNEY’S VERSION!!!!

    My favourite book of all time. I hope the film version generates a lot of interest because of this happenstance.

    Summit are assholes. I can understand them wanting to assert themselves, but if I were indeed a small studio I would be buttering up to everyone within a wide radius. Also, having one of their actresses in Barney’s Version would do nothing but amp their profile because if that movie doesn’t win at least one oscar I’ll eat my hat.

    (What a tragedy Mordecai Richler isn’t still alive to write the screenplay…)

  2. 88Modesty88 says:

    Team Rachelle all the way…

    Not caught up in the whole Twilight thing but I like the actress and think she def got a bum deal!

  3. bros says:

    isnt this the same movie series or company that unceremoniously replaced the female director who did the first one? they are pretty callous. its probably going to end up affecting their product, because you cant have a coherent series of movies if there is no attempt to maintain consistency. at this rate, they would have no problem replacing rob P if something went wrong with him. sooner or later the fans will lose interest if there is no artistic continuity.

  4. Whatever says:

    I think it’s really stupid when studio’s choose not to work with actor’s and actresses they have cast. I lose interest in a story or sequel when the parts are played by different people than in the original. The movie loses its continuity. I think she’s a great actress and think Summit are a bunch of douche bags for not allowing some flexibility. Whenever I hear this stuff it seriously impairs my willingness to watch movies pushed out of such studios.

  5. Enonymous says:

    WOW, Summit have gotten really bigheaded since they got successful with the Twilight movie and now they are acting all powerful and mighty. I actually sympathize much more with Rachelle Lefevre because she sounded more sincere in her statement. Summit better re-check themselves and not throw their weight around so much because before they know it, they will alienate everyone that works for them and most importantly the fans of the movies and ruin the newfound gold mine that is the Twilight saga.

  6. BIGKAHUNABURGER says:

    Team Summit! They gave her a HUGE career break so for the filming of the Twilight sequels she should consider herself their bitch. What is it with the Twilight girls? Kristen Stewart was even quicker in biting the hand without whom she’d be flipping burgers!!

  7. 88Modesty88 says:

    Big Kahuna — I would imagine she got the role because she’s talented. She shouldn’t have to be anybody’s “bitch”…

  8. ann carter says:

    Yeah, nothing’s worse than a woman standing up for herself!! Team Rachelle!! Summit is dismissive and completely OBNOXIOUS..the fans of this series are ridiculously LOYAL to the characters who have been cast. ALL OF THEM..they are not loyal to a band of short-sighted bean counters. The Twilight phenomenon (like all others) will be over one day soon, Summit. You’d do well to remember that. Karma, baby. Especially in Hollywood.

  9. Bodhi says:

    Kristen Stewart had some pretty good roles BEFORE the Twilight crap-fest came out.

    I think its bullshit that they replaced Rachelle & its ridiculous how fast they are churning out these movies. There is no way they can be any good…

  10. Annie says:

    I’m with Enonymous – Twilight was Summit’s first successful film. When a studio calls anything a “franchise,” they’ve disassociated it from everything but the money. Now, I like Bryce, but as I was telling my friends yesterday when I first saw this announcement, I’m not certain she can pull off that crazy, create-an-army-of-newborns-because-I-hate-that-human fury. Bryce is so reserved in everything I’ve seen her in (not seen T4 as of yet)- so I’m having a really hard time with the abandonment of a key actor for Eclipe just to keep the money train rollin’. Bad form, Summit!

  11. RobN says:

    Are you people completely missing the fact that the actress put out her statement ripping the studio for being unreasonable FIRST? Had she just put out a statement saying she was disappointed, the studio would not have responded the way they did. She’s the one who started throwing around dates and schedules to make them look unreasonable; they have a right to respond to her charges.

  12. ash says:

    hmmm… I don’t know who to side with. Publicly stating her opinion won’t do anything, she’s already been re-cast. Summit is only covering their ass, rightfully so.

  13. Beth says:

    I feel sorry for Bryce. She probably thought Rachelle had to dropout which happens all of the time. Since she was forced out, Bryce may face a serious backlash. If it’s true that Rachelle didn’t tell the studio about her other film until a week ago, I can understand firing her. Rearranging a movie for one actor with just a few weeks notice could be expensive and a huge hassle. If she said something immediately, they probably could have scheduled around those two weeks. But the way Summit is whipping the Twilight movies out, I can see them not even trying to work the conflict out.

  14. Mel says:

    What is the big outrage here? This girl thought she could have her cake and eat it too. Had she shared her intentions with Summit a lot earlier, she would not be in this predicament. Her whining is typically Canadian. I should know, I am a Canuck.

  15. Obvious says:

    Personally I’m thrilled they changed directors. I liked the last movie, but I’m hoping the new director can do something so Edward doesn’t come off as a complete stalker (yes I know he won’t be around as much in this one).

    But I’ve loved Rachelle since her Big Wolf days, and was thrilled to see her in these movies-it was half the reason I went. As much as I like Bryce, I don’t think she can so Victoria justice.

  16. Catherine says:

    It sounds that she was trusting Summit to be ok with her decision to show up late to production, then was totally surprised that they were holding her to her commitment to do the film. That is pretty cocky on her part, actually. She signed on and then is trying to do it her way and that apparently isn’t how it works in Hollywood. I am on Summit’s side. You make the commitment, you stick to it or you get replaced with someone reliable.

  17. The Old KC says:

    Dang, Rachelle certainly is blessed in the hair department. As someone with baby-fine, thin blondish hair, I would just about give my left eye for thick, wavy, long, red hair like that. Go Rachelle – seems to me the studio was looking for someone to pick on – I completely agree they should have at least made an effort to negotiate rather than unceremoniously axing her.

  18. Sol says:

    Oh seriously!! Even Taylor Lautner nearly got replaced!Remember all the fuss that happened last year? If she made a statement it surely was because the studio was blaming her.Who would not want to do Eclipse?
    Also Summit reaaranged Elizabeth Reaser schedule so she could film and shoot another proyect. If they did this with her they should do it with Rachelle part because Victoria is important and vampires do not change appearance!
    Also im pretty sure Bryce asked daddy Ron Howard to help her nail a roll as it seems every actress/actor wants to be in the Twilight saga.
    Imagine if they has changed Hermione or Ron in any of the Harry Potter series?
    Summit it’s all about the money right?
    What do you care about fans and continuity?Shame on you!

  19. Ron says:

    This is a bad production company. Instead of getting pissed they need to think of the integrity of their property. I am sure they could have pulled the “under contract” arguement and made her drop out of the other project. Imagine Harry Potter without Emma Watson. Actors are tempramental people and want to work on other things. Daniel Radcliffe did Broadway, and they worked around that. They work around prodcution schedules in television all the time. This really makes Summit look bad and their 7th grade response to her statement tells you alot about them.

  20. HashBrowns says:

    As others have said, they no longer seem to care about the artistic integrity of their project. I HATE it when they replace important characters with new actors-i hate it beyond all measure. It just looks stupid. And they stick out like a sore thumb. Then all anyone can think about when they see the film is “can that actor play the role better than the other one?”

    This is completely unrelated but:

    Role: Part a person plays in a stage or film production.

    Roll: Something you eat.

  21. Obvious says:

    They only recasting that made any sense to me was Dumbledore in Harry Potter-and they only did that because the original actor died.

    Summit take a note from the Potter series-they never recast (unless forced), and they stated true to the author’s and the fans, The Twilight Saga (after this) will be nothing more than a steaming pile of horse manure.

  22. aj says:

    OMG I TOTALY HATE SUMMIT!!! I LIIE THEYRE MOVIES BUT I HATE THEIR DECISIONS!!!1 I CANT IMAGINE ANYONE ELSE AS VICTORIA AND IM SORRY, BUT I DOUBT ILL SUPPORT THE NEW GIRL!!!!! AND I WAS SOOOO EXITED ABOUT ECLIPSE BCUZ ITS MY FAVORITE BOOOK OF ALL TIME!! BUT NOW IM NOT AS EXITED AS I WAS EARLIER!!!! GAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY CANT THEY JUST OVER LAP?? ECLIPSE IN THE MORNING AND THE OTHER MOVIE IN AFTERNOON OR NIGHT OR SOMETHING!! I DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT FILM PRODUCTION BUT I DO KNOW THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE COMPROMIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! MEAN PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  23. Lyla says:

    Meh. It’s not surprising to me, nothing artistic or deep about the Twilight movies or the crap books they’re based on. It’s all about the benjamins for the studio churning out these films, just like it was for the publishing company that foisted those awful books out on the world.

  24. the black dahlia says:

    it would be cool if the cast bands together and keeps her in the movie. Its intersting that they fired her from the one movie that she has the biggest part in. The cast should say if she’s not in it, they aren’t……..at least the leads should say that. They will not get rid of Rob or Kristen.

  25. Aussie says:

    Bryce is Hollywpood Royalty, Ron Howards Daughter. No different to Steven Speilbergs daughter, or Martin Scorsese’s daughter. Rachel never had a chance, Bryce would have got this regardless. Don’t believe the studio bullshit at all. They pushed her out, to give Princess what she’d die for!

  26. wow says:

    Man Summit seems to go for the jugular – full cut throat. First they got rid of the first director from the first film, then they tried to give tayor Lautner his walking papers and now Rachelle has been given the boot? Whoa.

    I wonder why couldn’t have just recast some of the others as well? RPat as “Edward” doesn’t really cut it for me, and I can’t even root for the character of Bella because she annoys me in the book and the actress playing her annoyes me on the film. They should start there with the recasting nonsense. An also recst Nikki Reed as Rosalie while you’re at it. She’s suppose to be the epitoe of etheral beauty and Nikki doesn’t pull that off.

    (sigh) Too bad Liv Tyler did all of those LOTR films. She would have been perfect.

  27. Poopp says:

    Oh sure. They should put a huge production on hold and compromise everyone elses time to accomodate this girl. Are you people on drugs? Any common sense? She got what she deserved for being greedy and inconsiderate of others. Glad she was replaced.

  28. naive_charm says:

    Funny, other sites are saying Summit is in the right, while Lefevre’s the one being obnoxious. I guess to each their own…

  29. Patrice says:

    I feel bad for her, but really, from the movie’s standpoint, who cares? She was barely in the first movie, and when she was, had almost zero dialogue. It’s not going to ruin the series if they switch up the actress who plays her.

  30. pmislands says:

    this is stupid but i still side with Rachelle. if she wants the dam part they should let her have it. and who ever the new girl is i’m going to put up tons of bad comments if the movie sucks then again she does die!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  31. Hieronymus Grex says:

    Damocles is a Saga.

    Odysseus is a Saga.

    Beowulf is a Saga.

    Lord of the Rings is a Saga.

    Twilight is a frustrated middle-aged woman’s high school vampire shower nozzle fantasy.

    Savvy?

  32. Carrie says:

    In my mind Summit certainly could have worked things out better with Rachele. I have a feeling Ron Howard may be directing one of the next films. Just remember everyone is expendable, red tape is everywhere. I know I am hugely dissapointed by the change. I liked everything about Rachelle because when I read the novels and picture Victoria in my head I see her beautiful lockets of hair blowing in the wind against her pale skin. In my view Rachelle was, is and always will be Victoria.

  33. Teri says:

    Way to go, Summit! You sound like a five year-old who got tattled on.

    I guess their ego got a wee bit inflated after the success of Twilight and now they think they can treat the actors that made it the success it is, like crap. They obviously didn’t want to work this out with Rachelle.

    Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have given this a second thought really, but I just hate to see the big guy treat the little guy like dog doody.

    I hope Rachelle’s new movie is a HUGE success! Go Rachelle!!!

  34. kayla says:

    Summit is stinking stupid i mean rachelle is amazing and everything i mean howard only got the part cause her daddy bought it for her. i think it is stupid that the cast cant comment on this because if they did they would be fired. i mean no matter how much we protest it wouldnt matter summit said to enertainment tonight ” we dont care how many people protest or potetion that will not bring rachelle back” i mean they already started to film so i hate howard and summit. srry fans and srry cast i really truly am dissapointed in summit

  35. kayla says:

    email me summit at edwardlover59@aol.com
    anyone else who wanna talk about this email me