ROTTEN TOMATOES: Twilight: Eclipse Casts Bryce Dallas Howard as "Victoria"

Twilight: Eclipse Casts Bryce Dallas Howard as "Victoria"

Howard replaces Rachelle Lefevre as the flame-haired villainess in the third film.

by Jen Yamato | July 28, 2009

UPDATE: Rachelle Lefevre told Access Hollywood today that she was "stunned" by the decision to recast her role.

After playing the flame-haired vampire villainess Victoria in the first Twilight film and its upcoming sequel, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, actress Rachelle Lefevre (pictured below) will be replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard in the third Twilight film, Eclipse, which begins filming in August. The announcement was made by Summit Entertainment Tuesday; will fans embrace the re-casting of one of Twilight's beloved original cast members?

Here's the full press release from Summit:

Los Angeles -- July 28, 2009 -- Summit Entertainment announced today that Bryce Dallas Howard will take over the role of "Victoria" in the studio's upcoming production of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE. Actress, Rachelle Lefevre, who portrayed the character in TWILIGHT as well as the upcoming release of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON, will not continue in the role due to scheduling conflicts with another commitment the actor has made. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE will start filming in Vancouver this coming August.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, the third film in the studio's TWILIGHT film franchise based on Stephenie Meyer's blockbuster book series, will be directed by David Slade from a screenplay written by Melissa Rosenberg. The film will be released theatrically in North America on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.

"We are incredibly happy that Bryce has agreed to come into the franchise," said Erik Feig, Summit's President of Worldwide Production and Acquisitions. "Rachelle brought "Victoria" to great screen life and Bryce will bring a new dimension to the character. The franchise is lucky to have such a talented actress as Bryce coming in to fill the role."

Howard most recently starred in TERMINATOR SALVATION as Kate Connor and has been seen in SPIDER-MAN 3, LADY IN THE WATER, and THE VILLAGE. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her leading performance as an actress in the HBO film AS YOU LIKE IT.

In THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob - knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.

Summit cites a scheduling conflict as their reason for casting Howard (pictured above), which is understandable given the quick successive productions of each Twilight film. (The third film, Eclipse, goes into production three months before the second film, New Moon, is released to theaters.)

But the re-casting of such a key character may not go over well with some fans, considering that Lefevre, who originated the role of Victoria in 2008's Twilight, established a faithful fan following during Twilight's many press tours. Furthermore, the character of Victoria -- a "bad" vampire out for vengeance against Bella Swan and the Cullen family following the loss of her lover James -- has a considerably larger role in Eclipse than in the previous films.

What are your thoughts on the casting of Bryce Dallas Howard in Eclipse? Eclipse, directed by David Slade, is slated for a June 2010 release.

Related Items

Movie:	Twilight
	The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Celeb:	Rachelle Lefevre
	David Slade
	Bryce Dallas Howard

(1-20 of 49 posts) | Reply

Eternally Dazzled writes:
on Jul 29 2009 12:42 AM

Aww this is very sad news.She was perfect for Victoria. Rachelle only had to do Eclipse then her time in the saga would of been finished. It;s just too bad

(Reply to this)

Adele D. writes:
on Jul 29 2009 01:20 AM

I'm a bit disappointed by this decision, to be honest. I was looking forward to seeing how much Rachelle Lefevre would develop her role as 'Victoria', for Eclipse. I thought she was very well cast as Victoria in Twilight.

I think alot of fans will feel let down. But on a brighter note, Bryce Dallas Howard is also a great actress, and I think she would well know she has alot to live up to with this role. But I dont think she'll let anyone down. It'll be interesting to see how well she gels with the rest of the cast!

(Reply to this)

Splitter writes:
on Jul 29 2009 02:13 AM

Okay, two fangirls above, how can you say she was very well cast and perfect (your words, not mine) when she only had two or three lines and five mintues or less of screen time in the entirety of the movie? You know how easy it is to stand there and look all brooding and insufferable of those around you? It's called emo and everyone and their mother can do it. It's not talent and her replacement does take anything away from the film.

Replacing her with an actress whose claim to fame is not sucking as much as her onscreen counterparts in lucrative franchises is actually quite a brilliant move if you ask me.

(Reply to this)

Adele D. writes:
on Jul 29 2009 02:39 AM

I see the point you've made, Splitter, and its a fair one. Yes, she only had a few lines in the first movie, but even at that, I thought she gave a good performance. And like I said, I was interested to see how she would develop her character for a more extensive role in Eclipse. But sadly, that's not going to happen and she's being replaced.

I just think its a pity, seeing as (anyone who has read the books, will know) 'Victoria' leaves the Saga in the third film.

But change isnt always a bad thing =)

(Reply to this)

Splitter writes:
on Jul 29 2009 02:58 AM

I can't say I'm a fan of Twilight, but as someone familiar with film franchises, I do understand the perils of cast changes. However, this was Ms. Lefevre's decision. She made a prior commitment and stuck to it rather than work on Eclipse, so they chose an established actress with some Hollywood cred for the role instead.

It's not like Taylor Lautner's situation where she just wasn't asked to come back. She actively backed out of the film based on her own reasons and the show must go on.

Yet another incident of rushing the film, however... I wonder if they're afraid of losing steam like the Harry Potter franchise did following the release of the final book.

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Adele D. writes:
on Jul 29 2009 04:21 AM

No I doubt they'll lose steam like that.

As far as I can tell from resources and interviews, each film is staying true to the corresponding book. And being that there are only 4 books in the Twilight Saga, there is more than enough material to use in the last 2 movies.

And given the scenarios that are faced and concluded in the final book, Breaking Dawn, there's not a chance that it will run out of steam, on any level.

I have to say though, I respect your opinions more than some other non-fans of Twilight. Some people are lost on constructive criticism.

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Eternally Dazzled writes:
on Jul 29 2009 04:49 AM

I say she was perfect for the character of Victoria because even though she has few lines she pulled it off best and looked the part that went deeper brooding and insufferable (your words, not mine). This is just my opinion Im not a casting agent or anything obviously.
But even though her time is up she was very passionate about he role. And as a person I very much liked Rachelle.

Being a non-Twilighter, you wouldn't understand that her leaving that Saga is actually something to think about. Not anybody could be emo I would find it very hard coz I'm a bubbly person and love too much.

Love you

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Eternally Dazzled writes:
on Jul 29 2009 04:51 AM

Maybe they rushed the movies because they don't want they're actors aging too fast seeing as they have to be immortal vampires and unaging werewolves. Not that the actors are gonna gain 50 wrinkles next year but you know

Love you

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Joel P. writes:
on Jul 29 2009 05:15 AM

I think the main issue is that series continuity is an issue for lots of people. But i'm a huge fan of Dallas Howard and this makes me more excited for this film than anything else. I'm not a huge fan of the series but have read all the books and a fine eclipse to be the most consistent of the bunch.

And HP6 has made over 600 mil worldwide in two weeks, i'm not sure how that constitutes a loss of steam... hmmm

(Reply to this)

De4ective Detectiv3 writes:
on Jul 29 2009 06:04 AM

Will people please stop giving Bryce Dallas Howard roles? Who cares if she's Ron Howards daughter, she has 0 charisma.

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jonnyboy414 writes:
on Jul 29 2009 07:50 AM

i would love to know how harry potter has lost steam? each movie has not only made all this money, but each film is great, and has been well received. twilight, was not well received, and barely scratched the surface money wise compared to harry potter. who cares about bryce? she's not very good, all i remember her being in is lady in the water, and spiderman 3, and she was in spiderman for like 4 seconds?

they're rushing these movies, so whatever, i applaud their efforts, but harry potter is always and will be better, and more successful than twilight.

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Jen Yamato writes:
on Jul 29 2009 08:32 AM

And so this turns into another Twilight vs. Harry Potter debate. But I guess to put this recasting in HP-like terms, it would be almost like recasting the character of Draco Malfoy three movies in, which would be jarring to fans.

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Splitter writes:
on Jul 29 2009 08:47 AM

In reply to this comment (#2531729)
I don't know why you'd bring up Draco, Jen. Though no fault of their own, I doubt anyone will forget the unfortunate recasting of Dumbledore which was the major recasting of that particular franchise, which was very jarring for critics and common moviegoers alike.

This isn't about Harry Potter however, and I'm sorry I brought it up, even in passing.

Regardless, Eternally Dazzled, I can't believe that's the best you can come up with. If the popularity of Twilight is still guaranteed. If not the shelf life, I'd have to say it's the fact that Summit has a franchise millions are willing to pay into and are using it to make a quick and easy profit to get the production company off the ground.

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Jen Yamato writes:
on Jul 29 2009 08:59 AM

I only bring it up (and Draco) because Victoria is also a supporting villain who gains larger prominence in the series with progressive films (as opposed to Dumbledore, a major character). So if, as you suggested, this recasting move was intended to inject some energy/interest into the films, the comparison is just a way to actually juxtapose the Eclipse move with what might have been equivalent in the HP franchise.

And I do agree with Eternally Dazzled in that Lefevre leaving the franchise is a move that will take fans aback, since she was one of its most enthusiastic cast members off screen and seemed to really embrace the fandom. That's all. I'm sure BDH will be good in her own way, it just might take some getting used to, and she will have to prove to fans that she can embody the character as well, if not better, than Lefevre.

(Reply to this)

Splitter writes:
on Jul 29 2009 09:04 AM

In reply to this comment (#2531737)
Ahhh, now see, there's a reason for fans to care. I wasn't aware she was one of the more enthusiastic actors for the franchise. Thank you, Jen.

(Reply to this)

Iceman Cometh writes:
on Jul 29 2009 11:58 AM

anyone notice how much more civilized these comments were as opposed to the comments under a Transformers article?

(Reply to this)

Splitter writes:
on Jul 29 2009 12:08 PM

Michael Bay has proven time and again that he doesn't deserve civilized commentary.

(Reply to this)

Dave J. writes:
on Jul 29 2009 12:28 PM

The Twilight franchise is aimed more for the teenaged girl without a boyfriend crowd. People who are sophisicated would be attracted to The Hurt Locker.

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Bigbrother writes:
on Jul 29 2009 12:30 PM

I think the last 3 people they've added to the cast are a testament to how serious they are about improving the quality of the latter chapters. Dakota Fanning, Micheal Sheen and Bryce Dallas Howard have some pretty serious acting clout. I'm interested to see what Bryce can do in this role as everything else I've seen her in she's been the frail damsel in distress.

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Ashley W. writes:
on Jul 29 2009 12:35 PM

Like Jen said it's mostly sad because Rachelle was one of the fans' heroes and Eclipse would have been her chance to really show what she had to offer. Like Taylor she was composed in interviews, very laid back, and very fan friendly. She will be missed and I'm sure many fans will continue to support her. I have not seen Bryce in anything (besides Spider-Man 3), but I hear that she is a good actress so I'm optimistic. Good luck to both Rachelle and Bryce.

(Reply to this)

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