"Very excited about our new Renesmee, Mackenzie Foy," wrote Meyer. "She's an amazing young actress and I'm excited to work with her." [Related: Find out who will play the Denali clan.]
The newcomer has appeared in TV shows "FlashForward" and "'Til Death."
Director Bill Condon is expected to use similar special effects as David Fincher in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" to show Foy aging 17 years over the span of seven years. EW.com, which first reported the story, said that Summit may also employ younger actors in scenes.
The move is set to hit theaters in two parts: the first on November 18, 2011, and the second on November 16, 2012.
Last month, it was announced that "Lost" star Maggie Grace signed on to play Irina -- who blames the Cullen family for killing her lover -- in the vampire saga.
Filming begins this November in Baton Rouge, La (source)