HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — "Twilight" fans aren't the only ones shocked to hear about some new fangs in the series.
Rachelle Lefevre says she was "stunned" when she heard Summit Entertainment's announcement late Tuesday that she would be replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard in the franchise's third installment, "Eclipse." The studio explained that the casting switch was necessary due to a scheduling conflict with Lefevre, who starred as the evil vampire Victoria in the hit franchise's first film and its upcoming sequel, "New Moon."
While Lefevre admits that she does have a scheduling conflict around her indie flick "Barney's Version," she said it didn't warrant being dropped from the series.
"I was stunned," the 30-year-old Lefevre said in a statement released Wednesday. "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 10 days," she continued. "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 said she was greatly disappointed that she won't be able to continue on in the series, but expressed her thanks to all the diehard "Twilighters."
"I am greatly saddened that I will not get to complete my portrayal of Victoria for the 'Twilight' audience," she said. "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."
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