In a surprising move, Summit Entertainment announced today that Bryce Dallas Howard would be replacing actress Rachelle Lefevre in the role of Victoria in the next Twilight installment, The Twilight Saga:  Eclipse.  Here’s a portion of their press release:

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.

Well, Rachelle Lefevre sounds pissed.  Here’s her release that was broadcast shortly after Summit’s:

“I was stunned by Summit’s decision to recast the role of Victoria for “Eclipse.” I was fully committed to the Twilight saga, and to the portrayal of Victoria. I turned down several other film opportunitiesand, in accordance with my contractual rights, accepted only roles that would involve very short shooting schedules. My commitment to Barney’s Version is only ten days.

Summit picked up my option for Eclipse. Although the production schedule for Eclipse is over three months long, Summit said they had a conflict during those ten 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.

I was happy with my contract with Summit and was fully prepared to continue to honor it. Summit chose simply to recast the part.

I am greatly saddened that I will not get to complete my portrayal ofVictoria for the Twilight audience. This is a story, a theatrical journey and a character that I truly love and about which I am very passionate. I will be forever grateful to the fan support and loyalty I’ve received since being cast for this role, and I am hurt deeply by Summit’s surprising decision to move on without me. I wish the cast and crew of Eclipse only the very best.”

Times are tough and the economy is a mess.  They’re probably saving a bundle by casting Bryce Dallas Howard — I can never get all her names in the right order — but better be careful or they’ll be facing a lawsuit from a scorned vampire.

Gisele Bundchen is the new face (abdomen?) of London Fog’s 2009 Fall campaign.  Obviously LF is trying to sex their image up, which is a refreshing departure from their atrocious winter coats that I used to receive as a Christmas gift every year when I was a child.  I can’t tell you how much those things cost me in therapy sessions.

Anyway, Gisele is pregnant so the LF people were kind enough to give her a little Photoshop enhancing to make her look as svelte as ever.  Sadly, Gisele’s “baby bump” is the average woman’s seemingly unattainable goal.

Halle Berry was in L.A. visiting a friend yesterday.  There was some weird dude who was in most of the pics who looked like he was trying to give a bouquet of flowers to Halle.  Upon further inspection, I think he is an assistant, friend or manager of Halle’s and not some creepy random.

Nahla Aubrey, Halle’s 16-month-old daughter that I’m slightly obsessed with (though not in a creepy Let Me Give You Calla Lilies on the Street sort of way), has already begun mastering the Disgusted With Paps look that her mother has been doing for years now.

Halle and her boyfriend Gabriel Aubrey need to have another baby.  DNA like that is entirely too precious to waste.

January Jones is in trouble with the producers of Mad Men.  In trouble because she just can’t seem to gain any weight.

“I got told a couple of days ago that I look too skinny, and I was in trouble,” January sheepishly told reporters at the July 28 party for the AMC network. “I’m naturally pretty thin, so I’m trying,” the beautiful blonde actress said, showing reporters she was drinking an Amstel Light beer at the party.

“I eat whatever is at craft services. I’m a big eater. I’m from South Dakota, so meat, potatoes, carbs.” The star notes that to maintain Mad Men’s early ’60s look, in which women definitely had more meat on their bones, she and the other actresses are “encouraged NOT to work out. We want soft; we don’t want any muscle definition.”

“They tell us to gain weight, gain weight, gain weight, because they want a soft, voluptuous woman which they were [back then] which is beautiful, as it should be.”

Well, January, you’re in trouble with me too.  In trouble for being named after such a stupid month and in trouble for not getting fat when you eat potatoes, and quite honestly, in trouble for wearing that ridiculously dumb ass dress.

About 24 hours ago, I wrote about Taylor Momsen’s newest interview with Teen Vogue in which she said that she can’t relate to people her own age.  I cannot lie:  I thought Taylor was about 20 until I read that article.  She turned 16 this past weekend, making her eight months younger than Miley Cyrus.

Remember when everyone was upset at the Vanity Fair pics in which Miley was wrapped in a sheet and looking slightly ravished?  Or the one of her and her dad that made them look a little bit like they belonged on an eHarmony banner?  

Why is no one this upset over Taylor Momsen’s completely age-inappropriate actions?  Why is no one wondering where this child’s parents are?  She’s sixteen, can’t relate to her own age group, has had lots of boyfriends, and last night was on a stage wearing a black lace bra and hot pink negligee.  Is this okay?  Have times just changed so much that, as long as you aren’t under contract to Disney, this is acceptable?

Finally, is there some pre-admission paperwork that can be done for Momsen’s stint at Betty Ford?  Because it is going to happen at some point.  I know you can’t apply broad brush strokes to every teen, but this one seems textbook.  It’s as if her troubled, fast lane, headed-for-disaster life is unfolding right before our eyes.

Remember when Lindsay said she was a workaholic?  Do you think she meant alcoholic?  Oops, sorry — that was obvious.  What I meant to say was, “Do you think she meant shopaholic?”

I need to understand Lindsay Lohan’s technique of money management.  She spends her time making milkshakes and scenes yet can afford to shop at the toniest boutiques in Bev Hills.  I must be taught this method of finance immediately.