Thursday, July 30, 2009

You Suck, Summit Entertainment.


OK OK I know we are always a day late and a dollar short but of course we have been watching the collective undies of the online Twilight community quickly wrap into a bunch over this (and rightfully so) since late Tuesday night when the news broke... Within moments of Summit Entertainment's announcement that the role of Victoria would be recast in Eclipse due to "scheduling conflicts" with Rachelle Lefevre, "Bryce Dallas Howard" showed up in Twitter's "trending topics" list and hasn't left since (in fact the topic had pretty much dominated the top-ten since - well, until Summit had it removed, or so it is rumored). If you've been living under a rock lately or just got back from that week-long stay in a remote cabin somewhere in West Bumfuck and are just tuning in, you can read some compelling takes on the story by clicking just about anywhere on our blogroll [I would suggest reading TwiCrack posts, in fact. There are many].

Let me state for the record that I think Bryce Dallas Howard is a wonderful actor and if she had originally been cast as Victoria, I am sure she would have done a great job. I've seen most if not all of her movies, and she is quite talented imho. Her portrayal of a young blind woman in "The Village" gives one chills. But the simple fact of the matter is that she wasn't cast in the role, and now, to all of us Twifans, Rachelle Lefevre IS Victoria.

I am generally quick to make fun of some of the less-than-stellar cinematic moments in Twilight, but I think that Rachelle really owned her bad vamp. Everyone is probably aware that this opportunity didn't just just fall into her lap by happenstance; she lobbied for it because she felt she could bring Victoria to life (as it were...) like nobody's business and frankly I thing she did a fantastic job. It doesn't hurt that she has been nothing short of completely gracious since being cast and through her charm, warm interaction with the fans, charity work, and just being someone who seems like an all-around swell chick, she has won the hearts & mind of Twifans everywhere.

So what the fuck, Summit??? Just how greedy are you, anyway? I've heard in the rumor mill that in all likelihood, this is about money. Or is there more to it? Sadly, when it's all said and done, it probably does boil down to simple finances and what looks better on the bottom line. Which is a real shame.

I think that Summit should be taken to task for making such a dickish move - it isn't ok and they need to hear that loud and clear regardless of the fact that they seem to be going all Big Brother and squashing anything they don't want to hear. Rumor [and remember, take everything you read with a grain of salt - including this.] has it that at their request, Twitter removed all the related tweets from their trending topics list, and "poof" suddenly she makes like Edward in most of New Moon. Speaking of New Moon, this situation should make for some interesting and definitely awkward PR in advance of the movie premiere and subsequent DVD release... This whole thing makes me sad. And angry.

At the end of the day, there is no way we can be sure what happened, but in this humble bloggy bitch's opinion, Summit's really assumed the role of the selfish, arrogant big-wig and that's just...not...cool. I used to think of Summit fondly as "the little studio that could" since they were not much of an industry powerhouse prior to the Twilight franchise rocketing them to fame and fortune. Hey - congratulations & welcome to the big-time, assholes! Way to step all over the people who helped make this possible for you... You're lucky that the Creative Cursing book is at JJ's place, OK?

There is currently a petition (possibly many) being passed around and other sites are providing addresses - for both email and snail-mail - and urging folks to write to Summit. I say go for it (I know I will be!): the voices of many, after all, are louder than that of one. No matter how big or loud or obnoxious that 'one' may be.

45 comments:

  1. i have nothing against bryce, i saw her on the village and lady in the water, but come on, rachelle IS our victoria, not only in twilight but in new moon she'll appear too so, dammit! why replacing her!! i am also angry and sad at this decision, i'm hoping that all the mails, and hate mail that definitely they're getting, can make something happen, we want rachelle back. dammit i'm so sad about this, and even more cause, even with this change, i'd still go and watch eclipse. ugghh...
    i rreally need to buy that cussing book

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  2. @STY--beautifully put. Rachelle IS Victoria and that is that.

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  3. i think there is obviously two sides to every story and there is something missing from both of their stories in my opinion, but regardless of what actually went down behind closed doors summit has turned this into a he said she said situation and they look like the bitchy bitter asshole. rachelles comment was heartfelt and as nice as one can expect in a situation like this and summit went off on her like some menopausal divorcee suffering a wicked hot flash not even wishing her good luck in future roles etc. it was cheap and whiney and certainly not the type of pr they are shooting for i imagine.

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  4. What I don't like is the fact they've allocated for Cam in Twilight when he had previous arrangements and he was only in the one film
    Rachelle was meant to be in three and it's not even that big an overlap. Okay I'd understand if it was 20 - 30 days but it's not, it's 10!!

    @kt That's so damn true. They are menopausal divorcee sufferin a wicked hot flash. (that made me laugh rather hard btw) Tbh, we'd probably handle it all a lot better if we were in their situation. USE SENSE SCUMMIT!

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  5. Yep, this sucks I can't believe Summit is stupid enough to piss off the fans. Hopefully, they will get there act together, and give us our Victoria back!

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  6. @mylifesincetwilight: yep, Summit is just that stupid.

    Rachelle has been an excellent Victoria, and she was part of a movie that made Summit the Stupid more than $10 for every $1 invested.

    Yep. Summit is stupid. Also totally assh@llish.

    And yep, Bryce got the job (in less than a week???) because of nepotism. I HATE that.

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  7. Well said STY.

    Reading Summitt's statement they really just sounded like a petulant child. Although menopausal divorcee suffering a wicked hot flash nearly make me pee my pants.

    Lainey Gossip has a really good take on it too.

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  8. Hey,
    Your link to the petition isnt working!
    I will add it to my site.
    Completely agree with you!

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  9. I just can't imagine Bryce DH in that role. Rachelle plays a great villain, has a sexy earthiness, and seems like a decent person IRL.

    I almost feel bad for BDH--this probably had nothing to do with her, and fans are probably going to heckle her at every promo stop.

    Summit is pissing off the fans, but what are we going to do, boycott Eclipse? Prolly not. But we will certainly poop in Summit's cherry bowl, and not do it quietly.

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  10. I think I'm the only person who didn't like Rachelle as Victoria. Before you throw me to the wolves (hee hee) let me say that I think Rachelle is an awesome person. Her interviews are great, she really was proud to be in Twilight, and I give her major props for being a great person in general.
    That said, I never liked her as Victoria. It didn't work for me, and her crooked smile honestly bugged the hell outa me!
    After that being said, the only reason it pisses me off that she's being replaced is because it's really fucking lame when there is a change of actor/tress in the middle of a series. Totally fucking lame.

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  11. Anybody can play a part in a movie, but a great actress brings the character TO LIFE!!!!
    Rachelle we love ya!!

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  12. Ok, I'm ready for your pitchforks...but I really wish it was K-Stew getting replaced! I mean come on! If they were going to start replacing people-lets start with the piece of crap actress that twitched and painfully blinked the entire movie. I think Rachelle did a great job as Victoria-and this sucks! But if it were K-stew going...I'd be throwing a Party! OK..I am ducking and Running!!!

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  13. @Ms. M- no pitchfork from me,I'm totally with you on that one. And while they're at it how about someone who actually *looks* like Rosalie to play he...just sayin'

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  14. I totally agree!! And fuck Summit for not taking what the twihards want into account. We are the ones who buy the books/tickets/posters/etc. etc.

    It also makes me wonder what Stephanie Meyer has to say about it.

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  15. @Ms.M - Here here...I've seen doorknobs have more emotional range while acting.

    @abigail - To be fair to Nicki - EVERY blond actress in Hollywood wasn't available when they were casting. So..ya know..they had to go with her...

    VW fun - iriter - Summit has made me very iriter.

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  16. they woke the sleeping dragon, now they should be prepared to face it!
    really really stupid move on Summit's part. After all it is us fans that buy the tickets n the merch... it's quite simple to just not go to the theatre to see the movie n wait for it to be available online for free download... plenty of fans have voiced their opinion n they will boycott Eclipse...
    what I think now... I'm hating Summit for this. Rachelle is Victoria!

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  17. @Abigail Totally feel you on that one!! It's not who you picture when you're reading the book. At least, not for me. Sorry.

    Now as a huge fan of Twilight, again, I think it's just stupid to switch actors during the series just like I would have been pissed if they hadn't cast Taylor as Jacob. Eclipse would have been a huge part too for Rachelle with the whole fight scene/trying to kill Bella/Jacob and the sleeping bag (had to throw that in) Ok, I could go. Just foolish on Summit's part but they sound firm and seem to not give a fuck what fans think by their response.

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  18. There is no Victoria if there is no Rachelle...

    The thing I keep hearing is that Ron Howard (Bryce's dad) may be the Director for Breaking Dawn.. So that just pisses me off to think that he might have tweaked a few nipples to get his daughter in.

    Total Bollocks!

    :(

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  19. 2MSM: "but I really wish it was K-Stew getting replaced! I mean come on! If they were going to start replacing people-lets start with the piece of crap actress that twitched and painfully blinked the entire movie"

    Exactly. Kristen twitches, probably because she is so beautiful, that is all she has had to do to keep a job.

    Her hope as an actress lies with Joan Jett, who I believe, made Kristen cry, most likely because Kristen twitched instead of rocked. Hanging with Jett, who looks to me like a very tough cookie, just may cause Kristan to become an "actress."

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  20. Daaaaaaamn. There are some harsh bitches in the hiz-ouse! LOL!

    No pitchforks, please. If you're going to go medieval, at least use a mace. Or an iron maiden.

    In the back of my mind, as STY was penning this post I wondered how long it would take before the masses turned on KStew, in all her twitchy... well, her twitchiness.

    It didn't take long. I suspected as much. LOL!

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  21. JJ...leave it me ME to say it... LOL!! Sorry! Hee-Hee!

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  22. You must admit, KStew DOES twitch and blink. But I am an optimist and on her side: I think Joan Jett is taking a wrecking ball to the liddle lady, and out of the dust will come (wait for it) an actual actress!!!

    She smokes cigarettes. She can't be all bad.

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  23. Anntastic (aka Anne)July 30, 2009 at 10:22 PM

    Here are my thoughts:

    @STY - perfectly said. I agree 110%

    Eclipse IS the Victoria movie. It's all about her in this one. No Cam or Edi to take the stage. Just her. And like VitaminR said, Rachelle IS Victoria, and that is that. And what I really love about her is how gracious she is in real life. She doesn't seem to be caught up in all the shenanigans (how OLD am I?) that much of the rest of the cast is. And somehow, this situation will likely outshadow Nikki-gate and all the Robsten speculation (well, maybe not that one...)

    - I really feel sorry for BDH. She's a lovely actress, and very polished from what I've seen in interviews. Now she gets to stumble into this mess? Lucky her...

    - I ADORE Ron Howard. And now his name is getting dragged into this.

    - Summit only furthers their bad rep of controlling the personal (and professional) lives of their talent.

    - I would LOVE to take a stand & say I won't see the movie because of this. But of course I see it anyway...and I am sure the rest of the fandom will too.

    Thanks for stating it better than I ever could, STY.

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  24. Anntastic (aka Anne)July 30, 2009 at 10:22 PM

    Here are my thoughts:

    @STY - perfectly said. I agree 110%

    Eclipse IS the Victoria movie. It's all about her in this one. No Cam or Edi to take the stage. Just her. And like VitaminR said, Rachelle IS Victoria, and that is that. And what I really love about her is how gracious she is in real life. She doesn't seem to be caught up in all the shenanigans (how OLD am I?) that much of the rest of the cast is. And somehow, this situation will likely outshadow Nikki-gate and all the Robsten speculation (well, maybe not that one...)

    - I really feel sorry for BDH. She's a lovely actress, and very polished from what I've seen in interviews. Now she gets to stumble into this mess? Lucky her...

    - I ADORE Ron Howard. And now his name is getting dragged into this.

    - Summit only furthers their bad rep of controlling the personal (and professional) lives of their talent.

    - I would LOVE to take a stand & say I won't see the movie because of this. But of course I see it anyway...and I am sure the rest of the fandom will too.

    Thanks for stating it better than I ever could, STY.

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  25. STY Much love to you for this one: "Hey - congratulations & welcome to the big-time, assholes! Way to step all over the people who helped make this possible for you..."

    ya know - Catherine rallied for Cam and made it work- she was willing to shoot his scenes first - that's why Rob looked a bit weird in those scenes - he had been working out and not eating they/he said. So i wonder...David Slade..what does he have to do with all of this? A director will rally to do what's right (or what he wants). Would Slade mess with the Fans Again? I would think not..but some director's have humongo egos. It's all about negotiations - so what the hell is REALLY going on here. The fact that Rachelle didn't know and Bryce was already named is suspicious.

    somethin smells fishy.

    and to all you Kstew Haters - i got my battering ram to take all ye down!! I think she's got the goods and if not for Kstew - Rob may have never became the sparkly one. You OWE her bitches. just sayin.

    To replace a key actress in a movie where she is a major playah (Eclipse)..is a fatal move. it can't be about the green stuff - because SuckitSuimmit is making moola hand over fist. What rachelle gets is chump change. i say Slade is a key player in this or he would have tweeted differently by now. He wouldn't rally for her . That's my take.

    OK - getting battering Ram into place- who's first?
    Mrs. M..brace yourself! kerPOW.

    Alls Fair in Love/Twilight/Rob/War :)

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  27. JJ - Sry...the filter between my brain and the keyboard was apparently broken and I couldn't restrain myself. Tee-hee :P

    @K_InTheFlow - I don't hate her, just thought her acting was craptacular in Twilight. *gets catapult ready* ;)

    VW fun -wornme - Robward coulda wornme alllllll night long :P

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  28. @K_InTheFlow: admit it, KStew spends a lot of time twitching. And messing with her hair.

    However, she WANTS to be an actress, as evidenced by her passion for Joan Jett and the Runaways. And I very much hope she brings some of the passion I HOPE she finds in herself to Eclipse. Because Eclipse should be all about Bella... and Victoria. Although I bet David Slade hasn't got the memo on that, he's all about vampire battle scenes that appeal to the guys.

    Thanks gracious the books cannot be screwed with.

    And my best wishes to Rachelle. She has been very shamefully used.

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  29. You can't take me Alive all you Kstew Doubters..I'm NOT with ya..(Flailing Sabre fanatically)...

    I'll see you twitching underneath my sword - and sucking on your hair for dear life!

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  30. @K_InTheFlow: don't you LURVE the way she teeters on her toes and knocks her knees together, whilst twitching and fooling with her hair?

    Sabres. Hah. YOU brought up the new observation that KStew sucks on her hair! I hadn't noticed that.

    Go Rachelle. Excellent hair. And getting that part in the Dustin Hoffman movie is not a big deal for her career. it is Canadian and therefore will have very limited distribution. If I were a witch I would put a definitive curse on Summit.

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  31. Summit can suck it! I'm so bummed about this. Rachelle IS Victoria for me. I'm sure Ms Howard is great, but I will not be able to look past my disappointment in Summit when I watch eclipse. I wish I had enough determination to boycott the movies from this point forward, but I don't. Not unless they replaced Rob. But I can sign a petition for sure!

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  32. Dude I'm so bummed! She was awesome as Victoria! She was proud to be in the movie, never got wrapped up in the hype, and always talked in high regard of the rest of the cast! I was so looking forward to the big V&E fight scene in Eclipse..... but I'm also a little biases since she is Canadian...yup I'm bummed, she was awesome!

    Just adding my 2 cents-If I where Summit, I'd totally can Nikki Reed! ick!

    WV dillo- Summit=A bunch of Dillo's!

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  33. Summit lost their best spokesperson - serves em right. Idiots! I thought Rachelle did a great job, however it was her offscreen behavior that most impressed me. In every interview she appears poised, enthusiastic, grateful, and very well spoken. Several times she rescued her fellow castmates who were floundering in disbelief over the inane question that had just been asked. And she did it without acting like she wanted to bitch-slap the interviewer for being so stupid. She happily went to every Podunk appearance, charity, mall opening- whatever ...and from everything I've read and seen she left her fans feeling respected and loved. Gosh. I didn't even know I was a Rachelle/Victoria fan. Hah is anyone other than Rob even in this movie? Oh yeah, and Jackson. And Kellan. Where was I? Maybe I didn't get around to noticing Victoria until after the first 25 viewings, but I will NOT pad Summit's profits by going back to the theater again and again for New Moon or Eclipse. Maybe that's pathetic, but I feel like sticking my tongue out at them. (walking away...stomping my feet......)

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  34. I'm with ya - without Rachelle, Victoria's going to lose her edge and that's gonna suck giant donkey balls! WTF SummitSuckHoles??

    @K_InTheFlo - I'm with ya on KStew... if it weren't for her lobbying, we may never have had our Robward to drool over... And hey, I'm not denying she's twitchy, but Bella's not perfect either... just sayin'!

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  35. Bloody hell! You mean to tell me that KStew does the twitchy thing on purpose. There I was thinking that she suffered from Touret's Syndrome or something awful like that.

    Ok, I ducking behind my desk! I can be very mean with a stapler. Like fill your pockets with the paper waste from the hole puncher, then staple them up. Don't push me!

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  36. Ms. M - couldn't agree more. There are some RIDICULOUS Twilight moments - enough to make me want to howl obscenities at the telly (ok, I HAVE) - and most all of them have to do with KStew. HORRIBLE actress - twitchiness aside - she plays the SAME ROLE ALL THE FUCKING TIME. Into the wild? really? Hey, Bella, I didn't know you played guitar! I think she's horrid. And honestly, she may be a lovely person, I may enjoy hanging out with her (ok, she's 19 - I doubt it) but she's a shite actress. I have very good friends who are HORRIBLE actresses and still get commercial work. I kinda have to cough and pretend to be distracted when they (ok, she) starts with the bitching about not getting any good roles in actual film/television.

    Rachelle was a good Victoria - totally did it for me, and I think this is handled horribly. Summit is behaving like the kid who discovers popularity and lets it go to his head. BAD business move, and HORRIBLE PR.

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  37. OK - I'm clearly outnumbered and appear to be holding my Battering Ram nearly all By myself.It's getting effin heavy and I think I got some splinters.my Twi-Pal LKW - put in a good word but truth be told she'd sucker punch Kstew in a nano second to get to Rob. so I am NOT standing Down - although the firing squad is clearly a bunch Twitarded Funny Bitches. Before you do me in - Instead of a ciggy I'd like a vampsicle please!

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  38. OH that's my comment AKA Karen you Kstew Wannabes

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  39. Ok this is for you KITF - I lurrrvv Tourretsy KStew! haha

    :D

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  40. Normally, when an actor has signed a contract and then later accepts something that may (or may not) be a conflict, the "peeps" with the first contract will go to court if necessary to get an actor to honor the contract signed first. Clearly Summit wanted to "clear a place" for someone else to take over the role of Victoria. This all seems very VERY fishy to me. I, for one, am boycotting Summit. I'll live....

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  41. Agreed...I think they were looking for an opportunity to use the "fine print" of her contract to opt out and replace her. Does Rachelle have a legal leg to stand on? Probably not, I assume Scummit is able to afford halfway intelligent legal cronies to craft airtight contracts. Have they done themselves ANY favors in the eyes of other actors and THE FANS? I think not.

    Wish I could say I'm boycotting all things Scummit...but I'm a Twi-Whore and need my fix.

    So ashamed...

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  42. I like Bryce but you're right, Rachelle made Victoria come to life. The part is very physical and I can't see anorexic-like thin Bryce getting down with it but I've been surprised before so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

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  43. @ Venusattwilight...w/ regards to what Stephenie Meyer must think about all, I can almost bet you that Summit doesn't care. Stephenie may have in her contract that she wants to have some kind of say in the matter but when it comes right down to it, once an author sells their story to be made into a movie, little of what they have to say is taken into consideration. Her expertise is writing, not which actors may be able to pull off which role. For all we know BHD will surprise us. I have a hard time believing that after seeing the sort of films she's usually in but you never know.

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  44. @K_InTheFlow: don't you LURVE the way she teeters on her toes and knocks her knees together, whilst twitching and fooling with her hair?

    Sabres. Hah. YOU brought up the new observation that KStew sucks on her hair! I hadn't noticed that.

    Go Rachelle. Excellent hair. And getting that part in the Dustin Hoffman movie is not a big deal for her career. it is Canadian and therefore will have very limited distribution. If I were a witch I would put a definitive curse on Summit.

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  45. @STY--beautifully put. Rachelle IS Victoria and that is that.

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