Summit Entertainment, the studio responsible for the Twilight movie franchise, has hit back at Rachelle Lefevre’s claims that she was unfairly treated when she was dumped from the series, saying that it was “disappointed” she had decided to discuss her recasting publicly.

Lefevre released a statement on Wednesday, and said she was “stunned” and “saddened” that the studio had replaced her with actress Bryce Dallas Howard in the third Twilight film, Eclipse, due to a conflicting work schedule.

The actress, who was set to reprise her role as the evil vampire Victoria in the saga’s third installment later this year, had signed on to shoot the Dustin Hoffman independent film, Barney’s Version, but had no idea she would be sacked by Summit “over a 10-day overlap.”

However, Summit Entertainment has a different take on exactly how the recasting went down, and said in a statement yesterday:

“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 10 days of [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.

The statement concluded: “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.”

The second installment in the series, New Moon, is slated for release in November.

[Source]

Rachelle Lefevre has told of how she was “stunned” and “saddened” when she learned that she was to be replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard in the third Twilight movie, Eclipse.

Summit Entertainment said yesterday that they were forced to recast Lefevre’s role as the evil vampire Victoria due to a conflict in work schedules – Lefevre had signed on to star in the Dustin Hoffman film, Barney’s Version, which was due to begin production on the same day as Eclipse.

However, Summit Entertainment’s reasoning behind the recasting has shocked Lefevre, who said in a statement released Wednesday that she had every intention of honouring her Eclipse contract, despite signing on for the Hoffman film.

Lefevre said: “I was stunned [at the recasting]. I was fully committed to the Twilight saga, and to the portrayal of Victoria. 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 [indie flick] Barney’s Version is only 10 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,” she continued. “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.”

Summit Entertainment have since responded to Lefevre’s comments on her recasting. To read what they had to say on the matter, click here.

[Source]

Terminator: Salvation star Bryce Dallas Howard has just been confirmed as playing troublesome vampire Victoria in Eclipse, the third film in the Twilight series.

The former muse of movie maker M. Night Shyamalan will replace series favourite Rachelle Lefevre, 30, who has portrayed Victoria in the two previous Twilight films.

Summit Entertainment’s president, Erik Feig, said that he was thrilled to have an actress of Howard’s calibre on board for Eclipse, and is excited to see what the daughter of veteran director Ron Howard will add to the role of the series villian.

“Rachelle brought Victoria to great screen life,” Feig said, “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.”

But don’t get your teeth out just yet, Twilight fans – Bryce isn’t simply replacing Lefevre to add a big name Hollywood star to the cast list, but stepping in to replace Rachelle, who has had to pull out of the third film due to a clashing work schedule.

Instead of Eclipse, Lefevre will appear in the independent film Barney’s Version, alongside movie great Dustin Hoffman, which begins production on the same day as the third Twilight installment.

New Moon, the second film in the series, is slated for release later this year.

[Source]

Katie Holmes has narrowly escaped injury during a mishap on the set of her upcoming film, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, currently in production on Australia’s south coast.

The actress, who recently made her dancing debut on American reality show So You Think You Can Dance?, was shooting a scene inside a car at Victoria’s Docklands when the vehicle’s battery exploded over the weekend.

The battery allegedly sparked a couple times before emitting dangerous fumes and smoke, which eventually turned into a fire that engulfed the entire car.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark is a Miramax remake of the 1973 ABC made-for-television film of the same name, in which Holmes’ character is stalked by evil gnomes. Sounds thrilling.

Unfortunately, the exploding battery isn’t part of the film.

[Source]

The biggest movie of 2009 – if the hundreds of screaming fans in plush seats all around me are any indication – is about to begin.

It smells like a blockbuster: the popcorn is crisp, fresh, and oh-so-tantilisingly buttery.

It sounds like a blockbuster: the aisles are packed with the stampede of dozens of annoying, adolescent feet; the theatre is packed with the drone of fanatical chatter; and the seat next to me is occupied by an over-zealous Autobot extremist.

But is it a blockbuster? Well, I’m about to find out.

I’m thinking technically yes, as the opening credits roll. Yes, because Steven Spielberg is listed as Executive Producer, and I’m stumped to find a project Spielberg has ever fucked up. I mean, isn’t he the golden man of cinema or some shit like that?

The technically part comes in under a category I perhaps should have mentioned at the very beginning: I’m not a Transformers fan, not even a little bit. Sure, I can appreciate the dazzle of the pretty-pretty effects, courtesy of Industrial Light and Magic; the comedic relief of the Witwicky parents (Kevin Dunn and Julie White) and Mojo the dog (who has accumulated a submissive friend since the first film).

What I don’t/can’t appreciate is the ridiculously corny dialogue, Shia LaBeouf’s dreadfully irritating presence, and Megan Fox’s apparent role as the oiled-up, half-naked female meat wagon. Oh, and I can’t not mention the pointless ten-minute fight sequence between Optimus Prime and Megatron that could have been reduced to a thirty-second skirmish, if only Optimus had remembered he had awesome, orange glowing claws that can cut through anything before he was on the verge of losing.

I apologise in advance (well, maybe not exactly in advance, since I’m technically mid-rant here) to all those Transformers fans out there, who I’m sure thought this follow-up to the 2007 blockbuster was beyond fantastic, and the best thing they’ve seen this year. I just don’t get the series as a whole, and I’m sure that’s at least part of why I have such a problem with this film. Well, that, and the complete and utter lack of any half-decent eye candy, which makes it even more painful for this reviewer to sit through a 140-odd-minute film with a laughable plot.

This is the part where all you red-blooded women out there ask the all-important question: But isn’t Fergie’s hunky hubby, Josh Duhamel, in this movie? The answer in short, is yes; Duhamel does reprise his role as the stereotypical soldier Major Lennox, however, I’m left a little disappointed with his part in the film.

I mean, there’s no denying Josh Duhamel is a spunk rat – his years as the suave Danny on the television series Las Vegas have proved that; and yes, he looks good in Revenge of the Fallen, all lathered up in sweat and grime as he is. But he’s severely under-used.

Duhamel’s crowning glory in the film is running around with an over-sized gun looking a bit of a douchebag and faux crying over the ‘death’ of a big, shiny, robot-alien dude.

Now, Australia’s own Isabel Lucas, on the other hand, breathes some much-needed life into a franchise that seems to be all about packing as much silliness, firepower and toilet humour into a two-and-something hour space of time as possible.

I’m not just harping on the Australian factor (though that does help). I honestly believe that Lucas does a bang-up job in her portrayal of a regulation college hottie who tries to seduce bumbling hero-boy, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf).

Of course, there’s more to Lucas’ Alice than ‘meets the eye,’ but I’m not going to elaborate on that – you’ll just have to see the film. Let’s just say that if I were a lesbian, Lucas would be a bigger draw card for me than grease hussy Megan Fox.

Pity she only has about seven minutes of screen time in total before she’s toast.

As for Fox and LaBeouf, well… there’s not really much I can say. Their respective performances sort of speak for themselves.

In short, Revenge of the Fallen is a blockbuster film. It has enough of the glitz and the glamour, the big name producers, directors and stars, and a fan base of the global economy’s highest hopes – teenagers, the true weapons of mass consumption. I think I can safely say that Transformers will be one of the year’s highest grossing films, if not the highest.

The movie is a two-and-a-half hour roller coaster ride of stunning special effects, cheesy character interaction and greased-up, hot bodies of young Hollywood’s cream of the crop. Cinematic sugar, I think one reviewer said.

I couldn’t agree more. I left Transformers 2 with a massive pain in my jaw that had absolutely nothing to do with the choc-top ice-cream I consumed while watching it.

It was from the cringing. Cinematic sugar, indeed.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is in cinemas across Australia now.

The first trailer for new Diablo Cod-penned horror film Jennifer’s Body has been released by the filmmakers.

Dubbed a “red band” trailer, director Karyn Kusama, writer Diablo Cody and producer Jason Reitman released the short clip to a global audience, after leading actress Megan Fox (who plays the blood-thirsty title character, Jennifer) put a trailer in front of Sascha Baron Cohen’s alias Bruno this week.

The trio released a statement along with the trailer, explaining their decision to beat Fox to the punch. The statement reads:

“Fox is putting a trailer of Jennifer’s Body in front of Bruno this Friday. Great, right? Only problem is it’s not our trailer. It’s kind of a straight horror preview and while we’re sure it’ll appeal to many of you, we wanted to make sure you guys got to see our cut… Let’s call it the ‘filmmaker’s cut.’

“We think it captures the comedy and scares of the horror films we grew up on – a kind of nostalgia for when horror films were fun. Can’t wait to show you the whole film… In the meantime, here’s the red band trailer we wanted our fans to see.

- Karyn, Diablo and Jason.”

To view the red band trailer of the much-anticipated film (in which Megan Fox gets nekkid), click here.

No, Channing isn’t going to be protecting the pop star from boyfriend Chris Brown’s fists, but if the stories are correct, he will be starring alongside the Umbrella singer in a remake of Whitney Houston’s 1992 hit, The Bodyguard.

Sources say that Rihanna’s recent impromptu trip to New York was all about securing her spot as the lead actress in the film, which has been described as a “young and sexy take” on the original.

An inside revealed: “Before the situation with Chris, [Rihanna] was getting a lot of scripts. She’s been wanting to do movies for a while now.”

As well as the Bodyguard remake, Rihanna is also said to be considering roles in the upcoming Charlie’s Angels sequel, and an unnamed Justin Timberlake project. Reps of the singer, however, have denied any involvement in the films.

[Source]

Warner Bros. has released yet another trailer for the upcoming Harry Potter film, Half-Blood Prince, the sixth installment of the blockbuster series.

The film’s premiere is still months away, but those wonderful people at WB are keeping the fans salivating by releasing a new trailer every few weeks, and today’s latest sneak peek doesn’t disappoint!

Available in HD format, the new trailer proves that the nine month delay has been well worth it, with special effects a stand-out, and awesome action sequences to boot. If the sixth film does its literary counterpart justice, it should be the best of the series so far.

To check out the latest trailer in high definition, click here.

Alternatively, you can view screen caps of the trailer here.

During this year’s Oscars red carpet walk, star Robert Pattinson let slip that the newest film in the series would be “50 times darker” than its predecessor.

“My character goes 50 times darker than he did in the first movie,” Pattinson hinted. He also said that the filming of New Moon will officially start within the next few weeks in Canada.

Meanwhile, co-star Ashley Greene (who plays Robert’s adopted sister, Alice), said she was “so excited” that the sequel was only weeks from shooting.

“I finally, finally got the script… and it’s good,” Greene gushed. “I like it better than the first one. I might be biased [though], because I have a bigger part.”

Despite filming only starting in March, New Moon is still slated for release in November of this year. A little jibe at the Harry Potter creators, perhaps, that you don’t have to spend years on a film to create a blockbuster.

[Source]

Summit Entertainment is preaching to the hearts of many a young Twilight fan, announcing that the third installment in the series – made famous by Stephenie Meyer’s addicting novels of vampire romance at high school – will be released June 30 2010.

The second film in the series, New Moon, is currently in production, and will be released on November 20 of this year, leaving very little time for the actors of the franchise to take a breather before jumping head-first into the third, Eclipse.

Summit has also revealed the series’ official name: “The Twilight Saga”.

All original stars of the first film are said to reprise their roles in all subsequent sequels, which leaves even more for fans of the series to rejoice about.

[Source]