Bryce Dallas Howard in New York City, on December 10, 2009.
Photo by Carla Hay.
Sure, Megan Fox gets a lot of media attention for her role in the blockbuster "Transformers" movie series. But when it comes to being part of a blockbuster movie franchise, the most interesting young actress to watch is Bryce Dallas Howard. That’s because she’s part of not just one but three movie series that make billions at the box office: "Spider-Man," "Terminator" and "Twilight." (And unlike sex symbol Fox, no one questions Howard’s acting talent.) In 2007’s "Spider-Man 3," Howard played Gwen Stacy, the third wheel in the love triangle between Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson. In 2009’s "Terminator Salvation," Howard was Kate Connor, wife of "Terminator" hero John Connor. And in "Twilight Saga: Eclipse," Howard steps into the role of Victoria, the evil vampire who seeks revenge on lovebirds Bella Swan and Edward Cullen.
For the first time since her controversial casting as Victoria in "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," Howard (who replaced Rachelle Lefevre, who originated the role in 2008's "Twilight" and reprised the character in 2009's "The Twilight Saga: New Moon") is publicly speaking out about "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," which completed filming this year and arrives in theaters in June 2010. In July 2009, Lefevre was notoriously fired from "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" due to scheduling conflicts with another movie Lefevre had committed to doing. Lefevre was immediately replaced by Howard, leading to a mixed reaction from die-hard "Twilight" fans, as well as a back-and-forth "she said/they said" public feud between Lefevre and Summit Entertainment, the film studio behind the "Twilight" movie series.
While in New York City to promote her independent film "The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond" (written by the late Tennessee Williams), I sat down with Howard on December 10 at a roundtable interview, and she was refreshingly candid about a number of things. I had to ask her about "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse," and she opened up about her experience doing the movie and she gave her perspective on all the controversy surrounding her casting in "Eclipse." She also addressed rumors of her involvement in "Spider-Man 4" (which is due out in 2011), and any future "Terminator" films. Here’s what she had to say about the trio of blockbuster movie franchises in which she’s played very memorable roles.
Is your Gwen Stacy character going to have a big role in "Spider-Man 4"?
I don’t know. It was really made clear to me when we did "Spider-Man 3" that it was entirely possible that a character could come back or a character could not. This could be just a specific plot to that film, because there are so many stories in the comic-book series, if you want to pack in as much as possible. It’s up to ["Spider-Man" director] Sam [Raimi] and the writers and the people who have done such an amazing job protecting that franchise and choosing the best storylines for the audiences. I’m a fan first. I had an incredible time working with them, but what I want more than anything is just for that franchise to continue to kick butt and to really appease the really, really, loyal fans, including myself.
Have you been approached to do "Spider-Man 4"?
No. I haven’t. There’s no disappointment because it’s exciting … what’s happening to that franchise. I’m just happy that there’s going to be two more ["Spider-Man" movies]. During the third ["Spider-Man" movie], there was a question. And after it came out, it was pretty clear that people were really supportive of the franchise. I’m really stoked that it’s continuing on.
McG says that he wants to direct more "Terminator" movies. If he does, would you be on board for that?
Oh, yeah! I haven’t signed anything that would obligate them to me or me to them or anything like that, because that film ["Terminator Salvation"] was made with a lot of humility. We’ll do this one, the fact that we can, and if people ask for more, then they ask for more. But it’s an incredible group. We are all fiercely committed to the story. It’s "Terminator," for Christ’s sake. If it comes about, and if I should be so lucky that they invite me back, I would be loathe to walk away from that.
Will you play Victoria in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn"?
I don’t want to give anything away, but "Victoria has a life span," is what I’ll say. [She laughs.] That’s all I can say about that.
Can you talk about your experience in joining the "Twilight" franchise?
I was really struck by what an incredible group of young people are in that franchise. Their friendships are so genuine, and they really ground each other. And there is a lot going on around them. There’s a lot of attention and scrutiny, but I’m truly moved by how solid they’ve remained in their values and belief systems and their caring of one another throughout all of that. You hope for that in a franchise.
Part of the reason to come back together is to tell a story but also to come back together because everyone genuinely enjoys working with one another. And it was a really, really positive experience for that reason — other than set aside the fact that I’ve read the ["Twilight"] books and loved the books from the very beginning and these characters are extraordinary. It’s such an absorbing story that I just felt very lucky, given the unfortunate circumstances surrounding it, that I was just invited in. I hope that "Eclipse" continues this trend of being really reverent of what ["Twilight" book series author] Stephenie [Meyer] created with the books.
What advice would you have for an actor who is doing a role that was previously played by someone else? A lot of people thought you handled yourself well in the controversy over your "Eclipse" casting.
We’ll see. The jury is still out, because Rachelle [Lefevre] really created an incredible character and is exquisite. I feel like the uproar that occurred was really appropriate, because part of the joy of seeing a franchise, it’s almost like a television series. You’ve seen the actors grow with the franchise. And [Lefevre’s] unavailability [to do "Eclipse"] was really, really, really unfortunate. Advice? Gosh. Just to do your best and be über-respectful. She won that role for a reason. I hope to honor everything that she created.
RELATED LINKS ON EXAMINER.COM:
Full interview with Bryce Dallas Howard for "The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond"
Interview with Ellen Burstyn for "The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond"
Comments
Thanks for the article, Bryce has been laying low (as far as interviews), and it's good to hear her POV. I am looking forward to seeing her in Eclipse.
*Spoiler alert* that is if you haven't read the books.
I know Bryce has nothing to do with this but: "Victoria has a life span"???
Um, no she doesn't, she dies in Eclipse.
It's a major point at the end of Eclipse, the battle between Edward & Seth against Victoria & Riley.
Hurry up June!
Team Meyer,
Bryce was trying to not give anything away. Do you know what she meant by life span. Apparently not. She meant that Victoria will not live forever. She has an expiration date. Duh.
I think when she says "Victoria has a life span", she's saying that instead of her character going on, she does have a span (an end eventually). Instead of just saying that Victoria's days are numbered, she chose to word it differently...Maybe for those who haven't read the books, she doesn't want to ruin it. Just my guess :)
Thanks Teem Meyer, for giving it ALL AWAY! I've read the books but geeze, you didnt have to go all out like that. Some people wanna stay curious!
I think when she says "Victoria has a life span", she's saying that instead of her character going on, she does have a span (an end eventually). Instead of just saying that Victoria's days are numbered, she chose to word it differently...Maybe for those who haven't read the books, she doesn't want to ruin it. Just my guess :)
Most "Twilight" fans already know Victoria dies in "Eclipse," and I think they'll stay true to that in the movie, but it's possible that Victoria (played by Bryce Dallas Howard) will be shown in a flashback in "Breaking Dawn." That's just speculation. I have no idea how the "Breaking Dawn" movie will differ from the book.
I think when she says "Victoria has a life span", she's saying that instead of her character going on, she does have a span (an end eventually). Instead of just saying that Victoria's days are numbered, she chose to word it differently...Maybe for those who haven't read the books, she doesn't want to ruin it. Just my guess :)
WHY does this keep posting over and over??
the interviewer obviously isn't a twilighter otherwise she'd know that there is no more Victoria after Eclipse... duh! heheh
But I like Bryce's answers, I'm sure she'll do a good job with the role. And as for Rachel, yes it is a shame she will not play Victoria, BUT she was the one who committed to other projects when she knew Eclipse would be filming, so it's her own fault she got herself fired by Summit IMO...
Actually, as someone mentioned earlier, the interviewer could've been trying to find out if Victoria will be seen in flashbacks or in someone's dream in "Breaking Dawn." There are lots of things they could do in the movie that aren't in the book, but I don't think anyone knows yet what those changes will be.
The question Will you play Victoria in "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn"? Is a waste of space because if you have read the books she gets killed of in Eclipse and she is not mentioned in Breaking Dawn. So why asked that question when it's not going to happen. Breaking Dawn might happen but she won't because "Victioria has a life span" is not going to HAPPEN. Hurry up June!!! Team Edward
I think some people are misintepreting one of the questions in this interview. The question was, "Will you play Victoria in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn?" not "Is Victoria coming back from the dead in Breaking Dawn"?
Yes, for the umpteenth time, we know Victoria dies in "Eclipse" and perhaps the interviewer knew that too, but movies don't always do exactly what's in the book and sometimes sequels have scenes showing characters who died in a previous film. The "Harry Potter" movies have done it and so have many other sequels. At this point, the "Breaking Dawn" movie hasn't even been made yet so it's anyone's guess what will or won't be in the movie.
Hi, everyone. Thanks for all your comments. I thought I would clear up any confusion since there seems to be a lot of discussion about one of the questions in this article.
The interview with Bryce Dallas Howard was a roundtable interview with me and three other journalists. Before Bryce came into the room, one of the other journalists asked me if Victoria dies in "Eclipse," since I was the only journalist in the group who had read all of the "Twilight" books. So I told her that Victoria died in "Eclipse." Knowing this, the other journalist (who is a very nice person) asked Bryce the question about if Victoria will make an appearance after "Eclipse."
The "Twilight"-related questions that I asked Bryce were the ones about joining the franchise and giving advice to another actor. Bryce is a huge fan of the "Twilight" series, plus she’s really friendly, smart and passionate about acting, so I think she will do the Victoria character justice. I hope this info helps.
first i love the twilight series but i have a question why replace her? it makes no sense i mean seriously we already know rachelle for the role of victoria so why move her now? she's the perfect person i liked her as victoria now if a problem occured well it sucks that we as twilight saga fans must suffer. thank you please answer...i want a role in breaking dawn im desperate for anything thank you again
Rachelle Lefevre got fired from "Eclipse" because she made the mistake of signing up to do another movie that would be filming on certain days that she was supposed to be filming "Eclipse." This was widely reported and also explained in the above article.
She's not the first person to be replaced in a movie and she won't be the last. The "Eclipse" movie studio and producers weren't going to lose millions in production costs to wait for Rachelle to finish her other movie. She only has herself and her agent to blame for not honoring her commitment to the "Twilight" series. She should've left her schedule clear to work on "Eclipse."
Bryce Dallas Howard is not to blame for Rachelle's mistake. Someone had to replace Rachelle in the role of Victoria, and Bryce happened to be the one who got the job.
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