Rachelle Lefevre has been left stunned by the news Bryce Dallas Howard is to take her role in the third Twilight drama - because she thought the part was hers indefinitely.

Lefevre played flame-haired vampire Victoria in the first "Twilight" film, and will reprise the role in the upcoming sequel "New Moon" - but producers at Summit Entertainment have opted to replace her with the Spider-Man 3 star for the third film, "Eclipse" over a "scheduling problem."

In a statement, the actress reveals she had no idea her "Twilight" time was about to end.

She says, "I was fully committed to the 'Twilight' saga... I turned down several other film opportunities and, in accordance with my contractual rights, accepted only roles that would involve very short shooting schedules."

But it seems her decision to take a role in the movie adaptation of Mordecai Richler novel Barney's Version upset her "Twilight" bosses.

Lefevre adds, "Summit (producers) said they had a conflict... 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."

The actress insists she's "greatly saddened" and "hurt deeply" by Summit's "surprising decision to move on without me."

Image © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)