'Twilight' tussle: Summit bites back
Summit Entertainment, which makes the sexy supernatural "Twilight" films, is rearing up like a vampire who's been ineptly staked.
The film studio not only stands by its decision to recast the role of Victoria the vampire, replacing Rachelle Lefevre with Bryce Dallas Howard for "Eclipse," but is also firing back at Lefevre's recent comments blaming the studio.
"We at Summit Entertainment are disappointed by Rachelle Lefevre's recent comments which attempt to make her career choices the fault of the Studio," begins a letter issued by Summit. "Her decision to discuss her version of the scheduling challenges publicly has forced the Studio to set the record straight and correct the facts."
And to show just how serious they are, the studio illustrated the facts with silver-tipped bullet points:
• 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."
Yikes! We wouldn't want to meet Summit alone in the woods, or a courtroom for that matter.
Who do you think is right?
Follow Zap2it on Twitter for the latest TV, movie and celebrity news updates.
Related:
Rachelle Lefevre says she was cast out of 'Twilight: Eclipse'
'Twilight': Bryce Dallas Howard to 'Eclipse' Rachelle Lefevre
'Twilight: New Moon' Volturi picture leaks online
Comic-Con: 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' panel live blog
Comic-Con: 'Twilight: New Moon' stars love breakin' up, but not growling
'Twilight: New Moon' Comic-Con clips: Watch 'em here
Fake 'New Moon' Dakota Fanning poster resurrected
When in doubt, side with the hottie. Either way, Rachelle's comments were not nearly as brutal as this follow-up from Summit. Not very professional. Her comments easily could have been countered with something much more diplomatic.
I think that this has the potential to blow up in Summits face. We'll see how they do post-'Twilight', but they sound like a studio that has seen some early successes and is getting a little 'big for its britches'.
Hmmm... It seems like Summit Entertainment and Rachelle's representation should have handled this better. However, I would have expected Summit Entertainment to try and work this out before recasting the part. It seems like Summit Entertainment feel slighted.
I don't blame Summit for this "over-reaction". They don't deserve to be called out by some nobody who's only big role so far came from them. Instead of thanking them, she's blaming them for not helping to propel hear career further.
It may not be professional of them, but if their timeline of the events is true, then Rachel has some explaining to do. Besides, as far as talent goes, they've upgraded. Good for them.
Amazing how anything will serve Summit's empty hype.
You'd think Twilight had been a super-mega-hit given the ridiculous amount of coverage the press gives it.
I understand why Summit is desperate to make this work after their disastrous decision to let Catherine Hardwicke destroy the first film, but why is the press so eager to help?
Who cares, Bryce Dallas is a significantly better actress.
If it was just a matter of 10 days absence, I'm sure they could have worked around her. 10 Days! What do they do if a star gets sick, someone in the family dies....they make allowances. I have the feeling that Summit was eager to get rid of her to begin with and this made it easier for them. There's always a method behind their madness.
i agree, bryce is an upgrade by comparison.
it is unfortunate it turned into this.
but considering her acting so far in the first movie consisted of looking pretty in a bizzare fur jacket with unkempt hair, smiling, looking hungry, snarling, looking angry, and running around barefoot outside - i don't really understand why everyone would be up in arms over her being replaced.
It's not 10 days off at McDonalds, Charmaine, its 10 days in the middle of a m***ive multimillion dollar project. As she is NOT the star of the movie, she has to be crazy to think they would do that , especially without even trying to talk to them about it. Very unproffesional.
Bryce Dallas Howard is more famous and mostly because who's her daddy is not because she's superior actress. I seen Rachelle Lefevre in many different TV roles like "What About Brian", "Boston Legal" and "Swingtown". And she's always brilliant. The way she plays her characters makes very easy to connect with them. Even when they do something not likeable.
Bryce Dallas Howard is more famous and mostly because who's her daddy is not because she's superior actress. I seen Rachelle Lefevre in many different TV roles like "What About Brian", "Boston Legal" and "Swingtown". And she's always brilliant. The way she plays her characters makes very easy to connect with them. Even when they do something not likeable.