Bryce joins Twilight 3

Bryce Dallas Howard is about to have an expanded fanbase, whether she wants it or not.

Ron’s milky-skinned offspring has joined ECLIPSE, the third film in the TWILIGHT saga (indeed, they are actually calling it THE TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE). Howard will replace Rachelle Lefevre in the role of Victoria, a vengeful vampiress who apparently will create an army of bloodsuckers to battle the Cullen family and kill Bella.

The change occurs due to “scheduling conflicts” (which lands between “creative differences” and “exhaustion” on the Hollywood spin list for talent swaps and departures). Don’t worry, girls — huge-haired Robert Pattinson and newly-jacked Taylor Lautner are still in the mix!!!1!

David Slade (30 DAYS OF NIGHT, HARD CANDY) directs the third TWILIGHT film due next June, while the second film NEW MOON (from GOLDEN COMPASS director Chris Weitz) hits this November.

I hope Howard doesn’t turn into the go-to gal for sloppy seconds — she also stepped in for Charlotte Gainsbourg on TERMINATOR SALVATION, and for Nicole Kidman in Lars von Trier’s MANDERLAY. I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing Gwen Stacy replace Mary Jane Watson in the next SPIDER-MAN, however.