Let your fangs chew on this, 'Twilight' fans: 'Terminator Salvation' star Bryce Dallas Howard has landed the mouthwatering role of villainous vampire Victoria in the 'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,' the third film based on author Stephenie Meyer's beloved vamp-on-human romance series.But hold on just a bloody minute ... doesn't the part of Victoria already belong to Howard's fellow redhead Rachelle Lefevre? Well, it did in the first two films, 'Twilight' and the upcoming 'New Moon.' But sources at Summit Entertainment confirm that Howard is stepping in to replace Lefevre, who had to drop out due to "scheduling conflicts" -- reportedly caused by her recent casting in the Paul Giamatti dramedy 'Barney's Version,' which begins shooting on Aug. 17 (the same day 'Eclipse' is scheduled to commence filming).
It's a shame, too, because Victoria gets some serious screen time in 'Eclipse,' as her vendetta against Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and his ladylove Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) takes center stage. For the uninitiated, Victoria is just a teeny bit pissed at good-hearted vampire Edward for dispatching her mate James (Cam Gigandet) in the original film, and therefore assembles an army of newborn vamps to terrorize Seattle and exact revenge upon Eddie by murdering his No. 1 gal Bella.
What do you think of the casting shakeup? Are you excited to see Howard tackle the role of Victoria, or would you rather see Lefevre back in action? Vote in the poll below (or sound off in the comments section), then sink your chompers into our rundown of what we know about 'Eclipse' thus far. -- By Tom DiChiara
New Blood
In the only other 'Eclipse' casting news, 24-year-old Australian unknown Xavier Samuel has nabbed the role of Riley. A college student and "newborn" vampire, Riley is obsessed with Victoria and joins her in the plot to kill Bella.
Clean Slade
David Slade is taking over for Paul Weitz at the franchise's helm, continuing the trend of bringing in a fresh director for each film (Catherine Hardwicke directed the first). After proving he could create a spine-tingling thriller with 'Hard Candy,' Slade put his affinity for vamps on blood-soaked display with the 2008 romp '30 Days of Night.' Expect his 'Twilight' go-around to be spectacle-driven and probably a bit more hardcore on the violence.
Three's a Crowd
In the third film, the Edward-Bella-Jacob love triangle comes to a head, as Bella Swan confronts her feelings for both vampire Edward Cullen and werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) ... and finally picks one. Who does she choose? We think you know.
The Write Stuff
Though the director has changed on each successive flick in the 'Twilight' saga, screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg has been a constant, having penned the scripts for all three.
Fast-Approaching 'Eclipse'
The next two 'Twilight' movies have boldly set not-too-distant release dates: 'New Moon' will rise in theaters on Nov. 20, 2009, while a total 'Eclipse' of the box office is scheduled to occur on June 30, 2010.
Reader Comments (27)
katie at 2:59PM on Jul 29th 2009
Well I thought that Rachelle looked like Victoria in the book more but I guess as long as thee acting is good and they don't mess up the movie *shrug*. As long we still have our hott vampires and werewolfs I'm more than good.
Anne at 3:24PM on Jul 29th 2009
Now, if they'll only replace that dog Nikki Reed as Rosalie with someone who's actually as beautiful as the character is described. WTF with that casting?
graymoon373 at 4:14PM on Jul 29th 2009
Agreed about rosalie i expected someone with more presence like possibly angelina i dont know but not nikki shes either not old enough or sophisticated enough to pull that character their definition of the most beutiful woman in the world got sidetracked with thinkin it was about looking good in a bikini
munkymuffin at 7:53PM on Jul 29th 2009
Thank you!
Bella at 4:03PM on Jul 31st 2009
If they wanted to re-do the movies with a new cast THEN this would all be okay. But it is AWFUL film making, to replace anyone this late in the game. Especially when this is the last movie for that person. It does not matter if we like the cast or not, it is just stupid to replace someone, when they have already been in the two prior films!!! and have a contract that says they are in all the movies their character is! It is the WORST film making to do that. Any film maker should know that.
jill at 4:19PM on Jul 29th 2009
If they could replace Katie Holmes with Maggie Gyllenhal (i think thats the correct spelling) in the Batman movies, they can replace this Rachelle Lefevre with a similar looking actress. If it wasn't the Twilight Saga, no one would even notice. It just sucks for Lefevre, because she would get the most screen time in Eclipse than any of the previous two movies.
simthcheck at 6:03PM on Jul 29th 2009
I found a great dating site """"""www.WealthyLoving.com"""""where you have the opportunity dreaming about dating a millionaire and make it true! u dont have to be a millionaire.but u can meet one. I thought everyone needed to meet some miracle after all the terrible stuff in the news and the economy
Kathy at 6:55PM on Aug 10th 2009
How is it possible to cast someone who is supposed to be the "most beautiful person in the world"? It's impossible to do that and make everyone happy. Nikki Reed did fine in twilight so whats the problem?
tammyl64 at 5:16PM on Jul 29th 2009
i dont think anyone should be replaced it takes from a movie..i think if they commit they should stick it out..i also think twilight has opened doors for them
crlacrosseqt24 at 5:18PM on Jul 29th 2009
I think Bryce Dallas Howard looks a lot like Rachel, so I guess I'm fine with it. We still have the main people its not like one of the main characters dropped out. They can easily make the two look fairly similar for the film.
Alesia at 5:28PM on Jul 29th 2009
Well at least they found one with red hair....lol..they kinda look similar....so hopefully it all goes well......i hate when they have sequels with different people in them but i quess i can deal with this one....lol
hollywood! at 5:32PM on Jul 29th 2009
People!!!! I know that Stephenie describes Rosalie different in the book but its Hollywood!!!! Once the contract is signed, they can do whatever they want with it!!!!!!!!!
ppk at 2:56AM on Jul 31st 2009
one word... BOOO!
what was summit thinking, they knew here were going to be follow up films, why didn't they sign Rachelle to a multi picture deal... I am a fan of her fathers work but I have seen Bryce in three blockbusters now and she is lame... In Lady in the Water she was totally uninspiring and was the main reason that movie failed to intrigue me. In spiderman 3 I thought she was phoning in the performance of what should have been a highly dramatic and emotionally charged character relationship between Gwen and Peter. And most recently in Terminator:Salvation she was flat as what should have been a kick ass character who would be a natural partner to John Connor.
As an actress she has no soul and her empty stare does nothing for engendering her to an audience so if those are the characteristic being sought for victoria I guess they have their girl... but I feel Vicoria should be intense and passionate and fiery.... The only thing fiery about Bryce is her hair and that seems to be the only reason she was cast... first redhead through the door gets the part.
TSK TSK TSK
Bad form Summit
Allie at 6:21PM on Jul 29th 2009
Dang, I really liked Rachelle Lefevre. I thought that she really fit the role perfectly! But at least it's none of the Cullens, Bella, or Jacob getting replaced. That would freak me out!! I'm actually very happy on how they cast everyone, even if I didn't think so at first. I was very sceptical about Rosalie and Edward but now that I have seen them on screen I have no complaints. Everyone has a different picture in their head when they read the book and you can't please everyone but I think they did the best that they could do. ;)
jonas_loving_twilighter at 6:22PM on Jul 29th 2009
hello twilighters. i personally think recasting is not somethingthis movie can do because of its popularity. rachelle and bryce dont even look alike. i im so incredibly mad about this. and i am sure rachelles other movie will no do as well as eclipse. they already messed up the entire cast (except for taylor lautner) and this makes it even worse. thank you summit and rachelle so much for making this horrible.
iluvmoose at 6:29PM on Jul 29th 2009
i really dont care wat they do with the casting it was all wrong in the first place. the books wer SO much better. as long as victoria has her signature red hair wat does it matter???
jimi at 6:37PM on Jul 29th 2009
fans always prefer the original members, whether in a movie cast ,tv show,or a singing group;
it's never quite the same when faces change
Person at 6:42PM on Jul 29th 2009
Meh, Twilight was an appalling book series and movie. Too bad she didn't leave because she realized it was drivel. :\
queenpuppy at 6:44PM on Jul 29th 2009
i think bryce is much prettier and she has a great photo, she would be GREAT in the movie i bet. ♥ she has amazing skin, no wrinkles or anything........................SHES PERFECT!!!!! :) sorry, i go crazy on the twilight things. well u know my answer...TOOTLES!
Gabrielle at 6:48PM on Jul 29th 2009
oh and did u ppl know that in a magazine, rob pattinson wanted his coastar, Kristen stewart? omg they make a perfect couple!!!! ;)