Studio scrambles to blame Lefevre for losing her "Eclipse" role

Looks like Summit Entertainment, the studio releasing the “Twilight” series, is scrambling to avoid a backlash from Rachelle Lefevre/Victoria fans by pointing the finger of blame at her. As I reported earlier, they’re claiming they only chose Bryce Dallas Howard to replace Lefevre in “Eclipse” because Lefevre is scheduled to shoot scenes for the film “Barney’s Vision” which would conflict with the “Eclipse” shooting schedule. Summit says it even informed her reps days ago that taking the part in "Barney's Vision" could jeopardize her “Eclipse” role.

But, Rachelle Lefevre is now saying she knew nothing about Howard replacing her or the scheduling conflict. According to a statement she released “I turned down several other film opportunities and, in accordance with my (“Twilight”) contractual rights, accepted only roles that would involve very short shooting schedules.

She added that she was "stunned" and "hurt deeply" by the decision, and that she was "fully committed" to returning as Victoria. She said shooting her role in “Barney’s Vision” would only last 10 days. "Although the production schedule for `Eclipse' is over three months long,” she said, “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."

The studio fired back by saying "Contrary to Ms. Lefevre's statement, it is simply untrue that the studio dismissed her over a 10-day overlap. It is not about a 10-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."

Many of Lefevre’s fan are already posing online petitions to "Bring Back Rachelle."