Lefevre 'stunned' Howard has her role in future 'Twilight' movie

Rachelle Lefevre says she was unaware that Summit Entertainment, which is releasing the vampire saga, had chosen someone else to play her part in “Eclipse.” Summit announced Howard as her replacement late Tuesday, saying Lefevre had scheduling conflicts that would make her unable to participate in the production.

But Lefevre said Wednesday that she was “fully committed” to returning as Victoria. She says her involvement in the drama “Barney’s Version,” starring Paul Giamatti and Dustin Hoffman, would only last 10 days.

“I turned down several other film opportunities and, in accordance with my contractual rights, accepted only roles that would involve very short shooting schedules,” she said in a lengthy statement.

“Although the production schedule for `Eclipse’ is over three months long, 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 news also shook up the fervent fans of the “Twilight” series: Several are circulating online petitions urging that she return, and the top-trending topic on Twitter for a while Wednedsay afternoon was “Bring Back Rachelle.”

Summit did not have an immediate response to Lefevre’s comments.

Though new to the “Twilight” franchise, the 28-year-old Howard is no stranger to blockbusters, having co-starred in “Spider-Man 3” and “Terminator Salvation.” She also appeared in “The Village” and “Lady in the Water.”

“Eclipse,” based on the third book in Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” saga, is scheduled to begin shooting in Vancouver in August. Part two, “New Moon,” comes out Nov. 20.