While Twilight movie was filled with little known actors (okay, Rob Pattinson had done Harry Potter 4 and Kristen Stewart was in a few things, but they were hardly household names), the success of the movie has meant they can afford a few better known names for the sequels. One of the first known names announced for third film in the franchise, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, is Terminator: Salvation and Lady In The Water star Bryce Dallas Howard, who will play evil vampire, Victoria.
It’s bad news for Rachelle Lefevre, who was briefly seen as the character in the first Twilight movie and also reprises the role in this year’s The Twilight Saga: New Moon, but perhaps not surprising, as Victoria plays a much larger role in the third film. Howard will be playing the vampire who was the partner of James in Twilight, who wants to get her revenge against Bella and the Cullens for what they did to her blood-sucking boyfriend, and tries to do so as head of a band of newly created vampires.
It’s being said that Lefevre was replaced due to scheduling conflicts, although you can’t help but wonder whether the producers just wanted a bigger name. Some places are suggesting this is a step down for Howard and a sign her career is in trouble, but that largely seems to be because of an irrational hatred of the whole Twilight franchise (which seems to be based on the fact they can’t stand lots of people adoring something that they don’t like). However playing a major role in one of the biggest, most popular franchises around at the moment aint exactly a bad career move.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse starts filming next month, with 30 Days Of Night helmer David Slade in the director’s chair, and is currently set to be released on June 30th, 2010.