Statement from Summit Entertainment regarding Rachelle Lefevre
Posted on 29. Jul, 2009 by AmyO in News
We have just recieved the following statement from Summit Entertainment-
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.
81 Responses to “Statement from Summit Entertainment regarding Rachelle Lefevre”
SonjaMaria
30. Jul, 2009
Summitt must have forgot about the bonus DVD from Twilight, where they talk about filming Victoria’s love James episode first because of a schedule conflict. It did not seem to bother them then. It is a little hypocritical on Summit’s part.
Karon
30. Jul, 2009
Please….. if it looks like a duck..quacks like a duck..you know how that saying goes. Let’s see, you love twilight, read it, watch it, and notice Victoria looks alot like you. How convient that you replace her in Eclipse the Biggest role for Victoria. We may never know all the ins and outs. But I do know this… if Howard didn’t have a famous father..(Will he be the director of Breaking Dawn??) Eclipse would still belong to Rachelle. As far as I’m concerned it still does.
Karon
30. Jul, 2009
Summit must think because we believe in Vampires and Werewolves we will believe this BS. This is not about loving or hating Howard. The part is already taken. Rachelle IS Victoria.
Emily
31. Jul, 2009
Rachelle Lefevre is and always will be Victoria, to me. Whatever other Victoria they put in the role is not going to be acceptable. Of course they would get rid of her before the movie where Victoria really has a part! Ugh.
Veronica
31. Jul, 2009
I don’t think another actress can play Victoria
It sucks to think that Summmit only acccomidates certain actors.
Why didn’t they try to talk to the other production company and see how they can work this whole mess out.
It sucks!!!
When I watch the movies it just will not be the same.
Robin
31. Jul, 2009
Come on Summit who are you kidding. Everyone know Eclipse is the biggest part of the story for Victoria. How convenient that Mr. Hollywood steps in and makes sure his little girl gets the part. News flash = Victoria is supposed to be beautiful which Rachelle is. Nobody minded working around other people’s schedules before and now we have any ugly little milk toast trying to play a viscious killer. What a laugh. Too bad, I was really looking forward to Eclipse. Are they gong to ruin Breaking Dawn too. You can’t take a major player and toss them to the curb and replace them with something pathetic like Ms. Howard. Thanks a lot Summit. You were off to such a good start. lots of luck, looks like you’re going to need it.
Beckie
31. Jul, 2009
I really don’t give a crap who plays Victoria as long as Rob is still Edward throughout…..I’m good
kim
01. Aug, 2009
I am afraid, Beckie, that too many of our generation thinks that way. It doesn’t matter how I get what I want as long as I get it. Very narrow minded.
Ashley
31. Jul, 2009
I think it is simply what it sounds like. I dont think there are any bad guys or good guys here. I doubt it was Rachells intent to be malicious in any way and I suspect the same about summit. Also everything I have heard from all of the directors and actors is how accommodating and integral summit has been through out this entire process. Many of the actors have made other movie commitments without this kind of problem. I think those successes were do to great communication and planning on each parties part. That is essential in this kind of situation. It is my oppinion that this whole ordeal is simple a case of miss communications between Rachel and summit. And unfortunately sometimes these things happen. I am a little sad about how the whole thing turned out but I respect Summits decision. Im sure that they tried to do what was best for everyone as they have thus far and that it wasnt an easy decision for them to make. I wish Rachel the absolute best and I think she is wonderful. But I also am looking forward to seeing Bryces portrayal of Victoria. I understand that the fans are going to be upset but I think we need to be fair to her. And she is not where she is bc of her dad. She is truly a talented woman and I think everyone will see that in Eclipse
After all many ppl werent happy with Rob in the beginning and now look at him! Best of luck to everyone!
Carly
31. Jul, 2009
Awwww, that is terrible that Rachelle won’t be playing Victoria she is so lovely as a person and a real fan of the books. I don’t know the particulars of what happened except that both admit to a scheduling conflict. You would think they could work around it but it depends. So I have to reserve judgement. I have been an extra in the last two Matrix movies and the company will hold you to the schedule (yeah even the lowly extras). They will tell you over and over again that you must be available. But it does not work the other way around.
Close to the end of the shoot I was selected to stay a couple of more days and others were let go even though they had to be available for the entire span of time. So IDK. The petition sounds the best way to go to try to get here back. Best of luck to her and to the fans to get her back in.
Lexie
01. Aug, 2009
Petitions don’t work. Send postcards. It’s not that hard to do. They have to physically see the numbers of people who want Rachelle back so snail mail is the best. I’m not guessing about this. I’ve been involved in letter writing campaigns before. People in the industry will tell you that online petitions don’t work but snail mail does have an impact.
Karon
01. Aug, 2009
We Love Rachelle for Victoria!!!! It doesn’t matter what Summit says. NO ONE believes that Rachelle would do anything to lose her part in the Eclipse movie. She only had one movie left. The fight with Edward. I can see it now all you hollywood daughters begging daddy. “Daddy I want to be in the Eclipse movie, Daddy I want to practice and work with Robert Pattinson make it happen daddy, I look like her.” Go away Howard we don’t love or hate you. Just leave the Twilight franchise alone. All of these kids have worked their butts off on a unknown film. Twilight. Let them finish. I have an Idea Howard how about The Host?
takemeawayedward
07. Aug, 2009
Poor Rachelle..imagine the pain when she have to attend all those interviews for NM. And all the interviewer would want to ask her is about her dismissal.
Terrible thing for her to have to go through. It would be a very awkward moment for her.
Nancy Barker
08. Aug, 2009
I’ve written to Mr. Feig at Summit – he’s the one that originally made the announcement about Rachelle. His email at Summit is: [email protected] . I didn’t receive a reply (didn’t expect one), but if a lot email him maybe he will listen.
I’m guessing it’s too late – but stranger things have happened. Rachelle needs to continue in this role. Summit needs to bend over backwards to get her back. I am hopeful, anyway.
Beckie
10. Aug, 2009
Narrow minded? Really? It was a joke Kim….lighted up
Just tryin to add a little humor to the madness. Admit it. It made you smile….unless your a Jacob fan. I’m thinkin I might be after New Moon……HELLO 6 pack! 
kshofmann
19. Aug, 2009
Hello everyone. This is my first blog so try to hang with me. As a previous legal professional, I’ve found it works like this: she was under contractural obligation to fulfill her duties, which was provided by Summit, not the other way around. This is drawn in a way to give them power to pull the actors “at will for any purpose they desire.” There is nothing that anyone can do to change this, for it’s a tort law situation. There is another route – STEPHENIE MEYERS – that should be pursued, given that she is the writer & creator. It doesn’t give her power over the Summit casting, but it does give her POWER – she would have the right to intervene if she felt anything were doing her story and characters an injustice. This is who everyone should be contacting so her story is not done a GREAT INJUSTICE. If I were to try, this is the BRILLIANT MIND I would petition. You never know, maybe she will agree with us ALL and request that Rachelle be re-instated. It is about time that people put an end to giving the “silver spoon children” EVERYTHING just because they have parents in positions of power. One might say they were even ‘abusing a position of power’, which in some situations, is a crime. As for who should play, I can’t stand it when a production company casts someone as a character and then re-casts someone else. I find that I spend most of the time worrying about the character change and learning their new traits instead of actually enjoying the movie. This ruins it for ME. If Summit were concerned with New Moon being as popular as Twilight, they would ensure that the story is not tainted by the conspiratoral explotations of one father who has not learned how to say the word ‘NO!’ to his child. He needs to take a que from Johnny Depp in Willy Wonka and the Chocalate Factory. In the end, Summit should stay loyal to Stephenie and her characters, doing ONLY what is best for the Twilight Series, whether that be Rachelle or someone else. As for the story, ROCK ON STEPHENIE! PLEASE FINISH MIDNIGHT SUN: I have Edward & Bella withdraws. I’ll stand by you, which ever way you take the Twilight Series, but as for Summit, the movie will reflect if they have exploited personal indiscretion over the duty to the author. If so and that is how they do business, then they won’t need mine.
So, how did I do for a first-time blogger?