Bryce Dallas Howard On Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Actress Bryce Dallas Howard talks about Eclipse director David Slade and replacing Rachelle Lefevre as the character of villain vampire Victoria.

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'Eclipse' Star Bryce Dallas Howard Explains How She Maintained The Essence Of Victoria

Turns out Bryce Dallas Howard might not have been able to get as much into the character of Victoria as she would have liked. The "Eclipse" star said she has seen "Twilight" several times, but her husband ("Dirty Sexy Money" actor Seth Gabel) had his own reason for not being such a fan.

"Whenever Robert Pattinson would come onscreen, I would grab my husband's hands and start squeezing, and he'd be like, 'Stop squeezing my hand!'" she told MTV News.

But beyond not drooling over Rob whenever he walked around on set, Bryce said the thing she paid the most attention to during her time shooting was maintaining the continuity of Victoria's character through the transition from Rachelle Lefevre to her.

"The visual continuity of the character of Victoria is really important because such a distinctive character had been created that the fans and the audience had really connected to," Bryce said. "She's really described perfectly in the book. So that's what's really important to everybody, that there's an authenticity to bringing these characters to life. It's not really an interpretation. It's like a true representation of what's written on the page, so that's obviously incredibly important to preserve."

Though we haven't had a look at "Eclipse" yet, we hope that the change in actresses isn't a distraction during the character's biggest role in the series.

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'Eclipse' Actress Bryce Dallas Howard Felt 'Very Lucky' To Work On Film

'It's an incredible group of people,' she says of the cast that welcomed her after Rachelle Lefevre's departure.

"Twilight" fans are notoriously fickle when it comes to the actors chosen to bring their favorite Stephenie Meyer characters to life. In fact, it's now the stuff of "Twilight" legend that following the announcement that Robert Pattinson would be portraying brooding vampire Edward Cullen, online petitions circled feverishly, decrying the British actor's participation in the saga. A similar uproar occurred last July, when just weeks before production was to begin on the third "Twilight" installment "Eclipse," Bryce Dallas Howard replaced Rachelle Lefevre as villainous vampire Victoria due to scheduling conflicts. Howard revealed to MTV News that the prospect of taking over the role Lefevre originated in both "Twilight" and "New Moon" was a bit daunting.

"It was actually a really unfortunate circumstance where the actress who everyone really cared deeply about, who has done an amazing job in this role, was unavailable," Howard said, explaining her last-minute casting. "They were looking for someone to fill that slot. It was right before production actually happened, so of course there was intimidation there and feeling a huge responsibility to do my best."

In the ensuing days, both Lefevre and Summit Entertainment released separate statements detailing their sides of the story. But despite the drama behind the scenes, Howard insists the cast was nothing but welcoming.

"[They] were really lovely," Howard said. "And yes, it's an incredible group of people. I have so much respect for them. There's so much frenzy surrounding them, and they've remained grounded, and their friendships are so genuine. I felt very lucky to work with such a good group of people.

"They love these books — all these actors," Howard continued. "They're fans themselves. It was a great energy on set — that people are so passionate about bringing these characters to life."

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'Twilight' Stars Address Rachelle Lefevre Controversy

At TwiCon, Peter Facinelli and Jackson Rathbone discuss actress' replacement in "Eclipse."

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Although there was a lot of fun to be had at TwiCon over the weekend, there was an elephant in the room few celebrities would address. While Twilighters took sides and spoke passionately about the recent replacement of Rachelle Lefevre as evil vampire Victoria for the third installment of the "Twilight" series, some of the saga's stars refused to answer questions on the controversial matter — for understandable reasons.

A pair of high-profile stars who began the mega-franchise with Lefevre, however, did agree to speak with us on the record. And they were eager to say that they've spent the last few days sharing one key emotion with their fans: sadness.

"Who?" said Peter Facinelli, trying to force a grin when we brought up the headline-garnering story.

"I can say that I'm saddened that the dates didn't work out," the affable actor explained, referring to both Lefevre's and Summit's claims that a 10-day shooting overlap with another film was the reason she will be replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard in "Eclipse."

Asked if he had been keeping up on the news, Jackson Rathbone replied, "I have, I have," getting serious as he spoke about the subject. "You know, Rachelle's a dear friend, and I'll miss her terribly."

The uncommonly public dispute has put the stars in an uncomfortable position, as they have to balance their words carefully about having a friend and co-worker fired while at the same time not badmouthing their boss.

"I really can't say anything on the business side," said Rathbone, who spent the weekend signing autographs, performing with his band 100 Monkeys, and even participating in a "Coffee With Jackson Rathbone" brunch. "Rachelle is an amazing actress and an amazing woman."

If there is a silver lining to the cloud, however, it's that the new Victoria is an award-caliber actress of the highest order. "I'm excited to work with her," Facinelli said of Howard. "But again, I'm deeply saddened that Rachelle is not going to be in 'Eclipse.' "

"I love [Lefevre] like a sister; it deeply saddens me," he added. "But you know, the show must go on. We're going to embrace Bryce Dallas Howard — and I hope that the fans do, too."

"I would love to work with Rachelle again," reasoned Rathbone. "I'm really sad that I'm not going to get to work with her on the final film of the franchise we started together."

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Rachelle Lefevre ‘Stunned’ Over ‘Eclipse’ Recasting

Summit Entertainment announced the replacement of “Twilight Saga” star Rachelle Lefevre in the series’ third film, “Eclipse,” on Tuesday night – and fans weren’t the only ones surprised by the news — Rachelle was shocked as well!

“I was stunned by Summit’s decision to recast the role of Victoria for ‘Eclipse,’” Rachelle said in a statement to Access Hollywood.

On Tuesday, Summit announced that Bryce Dallas Howard would be taking on the role in “Eclipse,” due in May 2010.

“I was fully committed to the ‘Twilight’ saga, and to the portrayal of Victoria,” Rachelle continued, explaining the turn of events that led to the casting change. “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 ten 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 ten 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.”

The star concluded her statement with a regretful tone.

“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,” she said.

Rachelle will appear in the series’ next film, “New Moon,” due Nov. 20.

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‘Twilight’ Casting News: Bryce Dallas Howard Replacing Rachelle Lefevre In ‘Eclipse’

Bryce Dallas Howard is joining the “Twilight” franchise.

The “Terminator Salvation” star will replace Rachelle Lefevre in the role of Victoria, according to Summit Entertainment, which produces the vampire film series based on the books by Stephenie Meyer.

“We are incredibly happy that Bryce has agreed to come into the franchise,” Erik Feig, Summit’s President of Worldwide Production and Acquisitions, said in a statement to Access Hollywood. “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.”

Summit said Rachelle would not be continuing on as Victoria, an evil vampire out for revenge over the death of her lover, due to scheduling conflicts.

Bryce, the daughter of director Ron Howard, will take over the role beginning in “Eclipse,” the third installment in the “Twilight” series.

“Eclipse” begins filming in Vancouver this coming August, Summit confirmed. The film will be released in theaters on June 30, 2010.

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Official: Xavier Samuel cast as Riley of Twilight movie 'Eclipse'

LITTLE known young Australian actor Xavier Samuel has been plucked from nowhere to be positioned as the next Hollywood heart-throb after landing a major role in the third of the Twilight film series, Eclipse.

The 25-year-old Adelaide-born and Sydney-based actor's career has so far focused on small and independent Australian films.

The vampire movies have already made hot properties of Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, the latter now comes with his own travelling pack of obsessive teen fans.

"I'm in a bit of a daze but it's a wonderful bit of news," Samuel exclusively told Confidential from Los Angeles last night.

Samuel has only recently hit Tinseltown after appearing in five small Australian films including Newcastle, where he played a Goth teenager among a group of surfers, September and the upcoming Road Train, where he stars as one of a group of teens terrorised by an out-of-control truck.

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In Eclipse he takes on the role of a newborn vampire named Riley, a good-looking university student involved in a plot to kill Stewart's character Bella.

Samuel is still getting his head around the Twilight phenomenon.

"I managed to catch the film on the way over on the plane," he said. He admitted he's not read any of the best-selling books of the series - yet.

"I'm going to start reading the first one tonight."

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Twilight zone

Cue the hyperventilating, we have breaking Twilight news: "Rob's not pregnant!"

This with a laugh from Montreal actress Rachelle Lefevre, well aware of the absurdity -- and intensity -- of the rumours surrounding the vampire book-to-film franchise and its breakout star, Robert Pattinson, the angular heartthrob with the bed-head and British accent.

Lefevre, who plays vicious blood-sucker Victoria in the adaptations of Stephenie Meyer's bestsellers, is in Toronto shooting a movie opposite Kevin Spacey and prepping to present at Sunday's MuchMusic Video Awards.

But the topic of The Twilight Saga: New Moon is never far behind.

The Vancouver-shot sequel to last year's hit (worldwide gross: $382 million) opens Nov. 20, complicating the romance between star-crossed sex-abstainers vampire Edward Cullen (Pattinson) and mortal Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) with new characters (Frost/Nixon's Michael Sheen and Dakota Fanning are introduced as members of the Volturi, an ancient vampire coven), a love triangle (created by returning Taylor Lautner as werewolf Jacob) and converging enemies.

At the centre of the pop-culture tsunami are Stewart and Pattinson, magazine cover mainstays whose real-life rapport (romance or no romance?) at times eclipses their fictional one.

"They have fantastic chemistry together on-screen and you know that's the kind of thing that becomes the source of rumours," Lefevre says.

"People want them to be together. People would love to hear that -- that they fell in love on the set and so they read that into everything they see.

"But all I've seen are two people who have beautiful chemistry on-screen and are bonded.

"Kristen, before Twilight, already had a huge resume and had worked with some heavy-hitters, but she had also flown under the radar.

"And Rob, he was in Harry Potter (and the Goblet of Fire), so he had some experience with fame, but it was nothing remotely like this. So when two people go through that experience together -- the fandom and everything -- it's going to bond them."

How is Pattinson adjusting to life under the microscope?

"He's got a really good sense of humour. I've seen him frazzled, but when there were eight paparazzi chasing you and it's just you, it can be scary."

Almost as frightening perhaps as switching directors mid-stream between sequels.

Usually when a film succeeds, a studio clings to its creator.

But in the case of New Moon, Catherine Hardwicke is out, replaced by Chris Weitz (The Golden Compass).

"It could have been bad," Lefevre admits.

"But I think because Harry Potter went through it first to their benefit, we were like, 'The Potter kids went through a director shift and they were okay, so we'll be okay too.'

"And we were. Chris came in with such a clear idea of what the movie was. And he paid respect to what had come before -- so it was kind of seamless."

A third transition will happen later this year in Vancouver when another director, David Slade (30 Days of Night), takes the reins of the next sequel Eclipse.

"It's perfect timing for David because Eclipse is darker than the other two. There's more action.

"It's not a horror movie, but it is darker."

And just as the series evolves, so does Lefevre's role as Victoria seeks to avenge the death of her lover, James.

"In the first movie, because I didn't have as much screen time, I wanted to be very clear.

"I wanted to convey energy and be very present but also very playful. And that's because (Victoria) enjoyed stalking Bella with James.

NOT A GAME

"But when James is killed, it becomes about exacting revenge, which comes from a totally different place. It's not just a game anymore."

Also beefed up -- literally and figuratively -- is Lautner.

The 17-year-old actor, who played Jacob in Twilight, nearly lost the part because producers worried he was too young and skinny to embody the tougher, more mature Jacob of New Moon.

But Lautner "completely won that role," Lefevre says.

"The day Twilight wrapped, even before we knew there was going to be New Moon, Taylor started working out like an animal.

"He put on 30 pounds of muscle ... I saw some of his dailies and he has a presence that, if you were to watch Twilight and New Moon back to back, he looks like he's aged five years."

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