'Twilight' stars "saddened" by Lefevre exit

Twilight stars Peter Facinelli and Jackson Rathbone have spoken out about the decision to drop co-star Rachelle Lefevre for the third instalment of the vampire franchise.

Summit Entertainment has claimed that Lefevre will be replaced by Terminator Salvation's Bryce Dallas Howard in Eclipse because of a scheduling conflict, although the actress later admitted that she was "stunned" by the decision.

Speaking to MTV News, Facinelli (Carlisle Cullen) said: "I can say I'm saddened that the dates didn't work out. I love [her] like a sister, it deeply saddens me. But you know, the show must go on.

"We're going to embrace Bryce Dallas Howard - and I hope that the fans do too... I'm excited to work with her, but again I'm deeply saddened that Rachelle is not going to be in Eclipse."

Rathbone (Jasper Hale) added: "Rachelle's a dear friend and I'll miss her terribly... I can't really say anything on the business side. Rachelle is an amazing actress and an amazing woman... I would love to work with [her] again. I'm really sad that I'm not going to get to work with her on the final film of the franchise we started together."

Production on Eclipse will begin later this month, while New Moon, the second instalment in the saga, is released in November.