Summit Entertainment has announced that Bryce Dallas Howard will replace Rachelle Lefevre as the vampire Victoria in “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”. Read more on this story below.

In their press release, Summit stated they made the switch due to a scheduling conflict with “another commitment” Lefevre has made.  According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lefevre has taken a role in indie drama “Barney’s Version,” which also starts filming Aug. 17 in another Canadian locale, Quebec.

The filming of “Eclipse” will begin in Vancouver on Aug. 17.

Lefevre, 30, played Victoria in “Twilight” and “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.”

In Stephenie Meyer’s third “Twilight” book, the Victoria character would have it’s largest role. In “Eclipse” Victoria seeks to avenge the death of her mate James (Cam Gigandet) by killing heroine Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart).

“Eclipse” will be released in theaters June 30, 2010.

Here’s the actual news release from Summit Entertainment:

From Summit-Ent.com:

Summit Entertainment announced today that Bryce Dallas Howard will take over the role of “Victoria” in the studio’s upcoming production of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE. Actress, Rachelle Lefevre, who portrayed the character in TWILIGHT as well as the upcoming release of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON, will not continue in the role due to scheduling conflicts with another commitment the actor has made. THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE will start filming in Vancouver this coming August.

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, the third film in the studio’s TWILIGHT film franchise based on Stephenie Meyer’s blockbuster book series, will be directed by David Slade from a screenplay written by Melissa Rosenberg.

The film will be released theatrically in North America on Wednesday, June 30, 2010.

“We are incredibly happy that Bryce has agreed to come into the franchise,” said Erik Feig, Summit’s President of Worldwide Production and Acquisitions. “Rachelle brought “Victoria” to great screen life 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.”

Howard most recently starred in TERMINATOR SALVATION as Kate Connor and has been seen in SPIDER-MAN 3, LADY IN THE WATER, and THE VILLAGE. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her leading performance as an actress in the HBO film AS YOU LIKE IT.

In THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob-knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.

What do you guys think of Bryce Dallas Howard being cast as Victoria?

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Images: Wenn.com

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