To everyone’s suprise Summit Entertainment announced that actress Bryce Dallas Howard is to replace Rachelle Lefevre as the vampire Victoria in the third upcoming movie of the Twilight series, Eclipse. So much for Las Vegas Show Tickets. Rachelle Lefevre was quite stunned with Summit’s decision to search for a different actress to play the role of the red headed vampire.

Here’s what Rachelle has to say about the issue.

“I was fully committed to the ‘Twilight’ saga, and to the portrayal of Victoria. I turned down several other film opportunities and, 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 of Victoria 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.”

In light of Lefevre’s allegations that Summit Entertainment dismissed her over a ten day overlap, here’s what they have to say.

“We at Summit Entertainment are disappointed by Rachelle Lefevre’s recent comments which attempt to make her career choices the fault of the Studio. Her decision to discuss her version of the scheduling challenges publicly has forced the Studio to set the record straight and correct the facts.

Ms. Lefevre’s representatives were advised as early as April that THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE was expected to start shooting in early August.

If Ms. Lefevre was, as she describes “passionate,” about being part of THE TWILIGHT SAGA, we feel that she and her representatives would have included us in her decision to work on another film that would conflict with the shooting schedule of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE.

It was not until July 20th that Summit was first informed of Ms. Lefevre’s commitment to BARNEY’S VERSION, a commitment we have since been advised she accepted in early June. Summit had acted in good faith that she would be available to fulfill her obligations both in terms of rehearsals and shooting availability for THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE. We feel that her choice to withhold her scheduling conflict information from us can be viewed as a lack of cooperative spirit which affected the entire production.

Furthermore Ms. Lefevre took a role in the other film that places her in Europe during the required rehearsal time, and at least ten days of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE’s principal photography. This period is essential for both rehearsal time with the cast, and for filming at key locations that are only available during the initial part of production.

Contrary to Ms. Lefevre’s statement, it is simply untrue that the Studio dismissed her over a ten day overlap. It is not about a ten day overlap, but instead about the fact that THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE is an ensemble production that has to accommodate the schedules of numerous actors while respecting the established creative vision of the filmmaker and most importantly the story.

The fact remains that Ms. Lefevre’s commitment to the other project – which she chose to withhold from Summit until the last possible moment – makes her unfortunately unavailable to perform the role of Victoria in THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE.

Source: MTV.com

Whitney Houston releases her first single in six years!

Whitney’s Houston’s first single in six years which is also the title track of her new album “I Look to You,” is a song written by R. Kelly. The single was released Tuesday as a free download on Whitney’s official website, www.whitneyhouston.com.

Click here for more details.

Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal physician says he administered propofol the night Jackson died.

Yesterday Federal agents were seen searching the home and office of Doctor Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson’s personal physician. Authorities are trying to find evidence that would prove Murray’s act of administering the powerful anaesthetic eventually led to Jackson’s untimely death. Since cases involving a doctor guilty for a patient’s death comes rarely. Authorities would have to find evidence showing reckless action that lead to death.

A law enforcement official told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity that Murray told investigators he administered the anaesthetic propofol the night Jackson died to help him sleep. The official also informed Associated Pres that the doctor left Jackson’s bedroom and returned to find that he was no longer breathing. It’s still unclear how long Murray was out of the room. The official stated further that investigators are working under the theory that the anaesthetic caused the King of Pop’s heart to stop and that toxicology reports that should show what killed him are expected as early as this week (credit: Associated Press).

Federal Agents raided Murray's home and offices in search for evidence on reckless administration of propofol which lead to manslaughter.

According to an article by the Associated Press, after three hours of searching Murray’s home in a private gated community, Los Angeles police and federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents carried away five or six plastic storage containers and several thick manila envelopes. Murray’s medical offices namely the Global Cardiovascular Associates Inc. were also searched by authorities.

Murray’s lawyer, Edward Chernoff, stated that the sealed search warrant “authorized investigators to look for medical records relating to Michael Jackson and all of his reported aliases.”

Other than documents, authorities also seized Murray’s cell phones and a computer hard drive at Murray’s home.

According to the American Society of Anaesthesiologists, home use of propofol is virtually unheard of and if Jackson’s doctor left his side during the sedation then he would have violated guidelines for the safe use of the drug. The guidelines state that a physician should be physically present throughout the sedation and remain immediately available until the patient is medically discharged from the post procedure recovery area.

Murray, 51, a licensed doctor in California, Nevada and Texas became Jackson’s personal physician in May. Murray was staying with Jackson in his rented Los Angeles mansion. Chernoff stated that Murray discovered Jackson unconscious in his bedroom the morning of June 25. Murray tried to revive Jackson, when this failed; the paramedics were called after half an hour. Three minutes later, the paramedics arrived and spent another 42 minutes trying to revive Jackson before finally taking him to a nearby UCLA Medical Centre where he was pronounced dead.

Federal Agents raided Murray's home and offices in search for evidence on reckless administration of propofol which lead to manslaughter.

Michael Jackson was believed to have been using the anaesthetic propofol about two years. According to Associate Press, Jackson’s medical history is quite complex that investigators are trying to determine how many other doctors administered the drug to Jackson. Murray claims he administered the drug several times before.

During their search, Murray directed investigators to a closet in the room where Jackson slept and found enough propofol and sedatives to fill two gym bags and an IV line and oxygen which would be needed for the administration of the drug.

Source: Associated Press

Alexis Cohen during an American Idol audition

Alexis Cohen, 25, from Pennsylvania, who auditioned twice in American Idol for a shot at stardom, was killed in a hit-and-run accident last Saturday. According to Cohen’s mother, Mindy Dallow, her daughter was walking to get something to eat when she was struck. Her body was later found on Bay Boulevard near Dupont Avenue around 4 a.m. She was then pronounced dead at 6:35 a.m. at the Community Medical Centre in Toms River.

Daniel Bark (left) charged of Alexis Cohen's Death speaks with his attorney, David Glassman at the Ocean County Justice Complex

Cohen was nicknamed “Glitter Girl” after auditioning in American Idol. During her Season 7 audition she proudly declared ‘I march to the beat of a different drummer.’ After being rejected twice the idol hopeful was known for her angry outbursts after the audition (see video below). Dallow claimed that her daughter was planning a third audition in June was preparing for a call-back audition.

The perpetrator, 23-year old Daniel Bark was arrested Sunday evening in Atlantic Highlands. Bark was charged with leaving the scene of the crime which killed Cohen and is expecting additional charges of aggravated manslaughter, death by auto and eluding. The Superior Court Judge Wendell E. Daniels said these complaints could be accompanied by a bail of $150,000 on top of the $35,000 bail that is holding Bark in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River.

According to Bark’s attorney, David Glassman, stated that Bark is on suicide watch in the County Jail. I quote “He’s having an extremely difficult time mentally coming to terms with the fact there’s an allegation that he caused a death,” Glassman said. “His family wants the victim’s family to know their heart-felt condolences go out to the victim.” During the trial, Bark was fighting back tears and said nothing other than “Yes, sir,” when the judge was asking him if he understood his rights.

Who would have thought that guinea pigs would beat Harry Potter at box office taking the No. 1 spot from the boy wizard? Jerry Bruckheimer’s first 3-D film made it to the top opening with $32.2 million. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince came in a close second with an estimated $30 million dollars followed by The Ugly Truth which had $27 million opening. The Half-Blood Prince earnings this week was a 61% drop from its huge opening last weekend of $79.5 million.

G-Force features voiceover work from known celebrities namely Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Tracy Morgan and Penelope Cruz as resourceful rodents.

The highlights a group of guinea pigs trained by the government to work in espionage, armed with the latest high-tech spy equipment, soon discover that the fate of the world is in their paws. Tapped for the G-Force are guinea pigs Darwin the squad leader determined to succeed at all costs; Blaster, an outrageous weapons expert with tons of attitude and a love for all things extreme; and Juarez a sexy martial arts pro; plus the literal fly-on-the-wall reconnaissance expert, Mooch, and a star-nosed mole, Speckles, the computer and information specialist. Along the way, the G-Force encounters myriad other members of the animal kingdom, including pet shop layabout Hurley and the rabidly territorial hamster Bucky (source: imdb.com).

Watch the G-Force Official Trailer.