I didn’t see Twilight and i’m not interested in the whole vampire love story thing, although I am aware that Summit Entertainment hit the jackpot with the franchise and it was good to see a smaller studio finding success. While I’m not that interested in the films, I did read about some of the developments. For whatever reason they decided to ditch Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke and hired Chris Weitz for New Moon. However, they then announced that David Slade would be directing the third film, Eclipse, and it became apparent that Summit are so eager to see money rolling in that they were not willing to wait for anyone, not even the directors.

So with Summit in that frame of mind it wasn’t that much of a surprise to read that Bryce Dallas Howard (Spider-Man 3, Terminator Salvation) would be replacing actress Rachelle Lefevre in the role of Victoria due to ’scheduling conflicts’ with a film called Barney’s Version starring Dustin Hoffman. Well as with most mid-franchise re-castings, the fans aren’t happy, and neither is Rachelle Lefevre who engaged in a ‘were having a disagreement in public via press releases so lets keep it civil’ with Summit:

From Variety:

“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 10 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 10 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.”

Summit responded with:

“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.”

Oh dear. As the Twilight franchise has a large (mostly young female) fanbase Summit have been forced to respond in public to prevent a mass boycott. Any Twilight fans have an opinion on this? Any non-Twilight fans have an opinion on the politics involved?

• Summit Entertainment Hire Writer For Twilight Sequels
• Eclipse release date
• Catherine Hardwicke not directing New Moon
• So, how much did New Moon make?
• Summit to re-release Twilight

Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke will not be directing it’s sequel, New Moon. The news first broke on Deadline Hollywood, where it stated that Hardwick “was ‘difficult’ and ‘irrational’ during the making of Twilight”. However, Summit Entertainment quickly released a statement on the matter:

Summit Entertainment and director Catherine Hardwicke jointly announced today that the filmmaker will not be directing the next installment in the newly minted “Twilight” film franchise. Summit’s targeted end of 2009 or early 2010 release of the film, New Moon, does not work with Ms. Hardwicke’s required prep time to bring her vision of the film to the big screen. Thus as has been done before with many successful film franchises, the studio will employ a new director for New Moon.

All eyes will be on Catherine Hardwicke tomorrow during the European press tour in France. Was she fired by Summit or does she really have prep timing issues?

• Summit Entertainment Hire Writer For Twilight Sequels
• Summit to re-release Twilight
• Twilight Saga: Eclipse casting drama
• New Moon to Start Filming in March
• New Moon On It’s Way

It looks like Summit Entertainment are betting on Twilight making tonnes of money when it is released next month, as they have acquired rights to the next three novels in Stephenie Meyer’s vampire series, and have also hired Twilight writer Melissa Rosenberg to write the scripts, based on the books “New Moon” and “Eclipse”. It is interesting to note that the fourth book “Breaking Dawn” has not attached a writer. This is most likely because Summit want to see how things go with the trilogy before setting off on a fourth adventure.

In other news, the soundtrack to Twilight became #1 on the Billboard 200 this week, becoming the third No. 1 soundtrack this year after Juno and Mamma Mia! It also knocked AC/DC off in the process. [You can get your copy by clicking here]

• Twilight Saga: Eclipse casting drama
• Catherine Hardwicke not directing New Moon
• Summit to re-release Twilight
• New Moon poster
• Eclipse release date