The final installments of The Twilight Saga are facing serious delays as producers at Summit Entertainment attempt to renegotiate pay deals to keep all of the actors on board.
Production on Breaking Dawn Parts I & II — based on Stephenie Meyer’s fourth book in the vampire-themed love story — has been slowed down by negotiations with supporting cast members Ashley Greene and Kellan Lutz, who are reportedly demanding a pay increase to return for a forth and fifth movie.
Chiefs are also reportedly considering moving production to Louisiana in a bid to cut costs and pony up more than 10 times the salary the young stars were paid for the first film in late 2008. However, the studio will recast the Lutz and Greene if appropriate salary deals can’t be reached, according to The Hollywood Reporter — who first reported the scoop.
After all, Twilight producers have booted a series star before. Rachelle Lefevre was swiftly fired by Summit and her role as Victoria recast with Bryce Dallas Howard after Lefevre allegedly breached her contract by signing up for an independent film during filming for the Twilight sequel, New Moon.
“We may have a situation where one of them is thrown out on the street to make a point. This thing is gonna be two movies, with or without the cast intact,” a set insider divulged.
The two Breaking Dawn films will be shot back-to-back later this year, with possible releases set for November 2011 and summer 2012. The next installment of The Twilight Saga, Eclipse, opens in theaters June 20.
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