In the Twilight Saga, recasting did happen. Fans must’ve noticed that they change Victoria in Twilight. What is the actual reason behind this decision?
The series of novel by Stephenie Meyer was adapted to the screen for the first time on November 21, 2008 with the title Twilight. It was such a huge hit, and the second installment followed a year later on November 20, 2009, with the title New Moon. The third movie, Eclipse, was out on June 30, 2010, while Breaking Dawn part one on November 18, 2011, and Breaking Dawn part two on November 16, 2012.
Starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner, this movie series has earned more than US$3.4 billion all around the world.
Produced by Summit Entertainment, the Twilight Saga pretty much tells us the story of a girl named Bella Swan who just moved to a small town called Forks, and has to adapt in a new school. In there, she meets Edward Cullen and both of them are falling in love. Little did she know, Edward Cullen turns out to be a vampire. Bella then has to be involved in the vampire world that unknowingly will be dangerous for her own self.
The combination between drama, romance, as well as thriller and fantasy, makes fans love these movies so much, and its fans are ranging all over ages and genders.
In the Twilight world, there are humans, vampires, and werewolves. The Cullens are good vampires, but there are bad vampires as well. The main enemies of Bella, Edward, and The Cullens are the Volturi and James’ coven, with one of its prominent figure, Victoria.
The cast in this series of movie are not always the same either. One of the most noticeable is when they change Victoria in Twilight, the biggest villain throughout the story.
When Twilight first released in 2008, Victoria was played by Rachelle Lefevre in the first two movies—Twilight and New Moon. In Eclipse, the cast was changed, and Bryce Dallas Howard replaced Lefevre to play as Victoria.
So what is the real reason behind the decision when they change Victoria in Twilight?
The Reason They Change Victoria in Twilight
Before they change Victoria in Twilight, it was Lefevre’s first role in a big movie. She had worked in many TV series before, although they are not significant roles. However, after appear in two movies in Twilight Saga, Lefevre had to let go of her role as Victoria in Eclipse, and being replaced by Bryce Dallas Howard.
In late 2009, the reason why did they change Victoria in Twilight was revealed by the Summit Entertainment that it was merely because of scheduling conflicts. It was also revealed that Howard once was offered to play Victoria but rejected it because she saw the role as too small.
However, that’s not what Lefevre said, which she admitted that she herself was shocked by the decision.
Summit Entertainment then stated that Lefevre didn’t reveal the information regarding her filming schedule. Summit Entertainment insisted that the problem of managing some actors’ schedules became the reason of the recasting.
In Eclipse, Victoria and her partner Riley is defeated by Edward Cullen, and that’s why Howard only appeared once as Victoria in Eclipse. Lefevre reappeared in The Breaking Dawn part 2 in an archive footage, that makes it even more bizarre.
What Did Lefevre Say After They Change Victoria in Twilight?
Contrary with what Summit Entertainment said, in an interview, Lefevre said that she was shocked that she was being recasted, even though she was totally committed to her role. She even turned down many opportunities so that she would be available to film Twilight.
Based on the contractual rights, they’re only able to accept other roles with short filming schedules. Her filming schedule with Barney’s Version only took 10 days—and that became the reason for Summit Entertainment to cut Lefevre and they change Victoria in Twilight.
Lefevre said that she was really saddened that she didn’t get the chance to complete her role as Victoria.
So with that two different versions, we may never truly find out the real reason why did they change Victoria in Twilight. But since then, in 2011, Lefevre has gotten another important roles in several TV series, such as ABC’s Off the Map, A Gifted Man, Under the Dome, and many more. She also appears in several movies like White House Down, Hollow in the Land, Homefront, and others.
