ComingSoon.net got a chance to talk to Bryce Dallas Howard at the press day for The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond where she was asked about possibly returning as Gwen Stacy in Spider-Man 4 and Kate Connor in another “Terminator” film, taking over the role of Victoria in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and her new script, The Originals.
Q: Will your character Gwen have a big role in “Spider-Man 4?”
Bryce Dallas Howard: Oh goodness! I don’t know. I mean, it was really made clear to me when we all did “Spider-Man 3” that it was entirely possible that a character could come back or a character could not and this could be just a specific plotline to that film because there’s so many stories in the comic book series and you want to pack as much in as possible so it’s truly up to Sam, up to, you know, the writers and the people who have done such an amazing job protecting that franchise and choosing the best storylines for audiences and I’m a fan first. I had an incredible time working with them but more than anything what I want is for that franchise to just continue to kick butt and to really appease the really really really loyal fans, so, including myself.
Q: Have you been approached about the next film?
Howard: No, no. No, I haven’t.
Q: Aw!
Howard: Oh no! But really, I mean, there’s no disappointment because it’s just, it’s exciting. You know what I mean? It’s exciting like what’s happening with that franchise. I’m just so glad that there’s going to be two more. You know, ’cause like, after the third that was the question and… or I guess during the third that was the question and after it came out it was pretty clear that, you know, people were really supportive of the franchise. So, I’m just really stoked that it’s continuing on.
Q: McG announced his plans to make a fifth and sixth “Terminator” film. If that does happen, would you like to be involved again?
Howard: Oh yeah! I haven’t signed anything that would obligate them to me or me to them or anything like that because it was… that film was made with a lot of humility, you know, it’s like we’ll do this one the best that we can and if people ask for more then they ask for me. But, it’s an incredible group. We are all fiercely committed to the story, I mean, it’s Terminator for goodness sakes. So, yeah, if that comes about I would, you know… and if I should be so lucky that they invite me back, I would be loathed to walk away from that.
Q: You take over the role of Victoria in the next “Twilight” movie, “Eclipse.” Will you be involved after the completion of that film?
Howard: I don’t want to give anything away, but there’s Victoria has a lifespan is what I’ll say.
Q: What was your experience joining this cast that had already been together for two films?
Howard: 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, you know, there’s a lot of attention and a lot of scrutiny, but I’m truly moved by how solid they’ve remained and their values and their belief systems and their caring of one another throughout all of that and I think that with… you hope for that within a franchise. Part of the reason to come back together is to continue to tell a story but also to come back together because everyone genuinely enjoys working with one another. It was a really really really positive experience for that reason, other than, you know, set aside the fact that just I read the 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 that given the unfortunate circumstances surrounding it that I was just, you know, invited in. I hope that “Eclipse” continues this trend of being really reverent of what Stephenie created with the books.
Q: What advice would you have for an actor playing a role originated by another actor? There has been major backlash in your situation and most feel you’ve handled the situation very well.
Howard: Well, we’ll see. Jury’s still out in terms of the work because Rachelle [Lefevre] really created an incredible character and is exquisite and I feel like the uproar that occurred was really appropriate because part of the joy of seeing a franchise is seeing… it’s almost like a television series, seeing the actors grow with the franchise. Her unavailability was really really really really unfortunate. So, I would just say, advice? Gosh, I mean, just to do your best and be like uber respectful, uber respectful because, you know, she won that role for a reason and I hope to honor everything that she created.
Q: What’s the status of the screenplay you wrote, “The Originals”?
Howard: Well, it’s still happening. I co-wrote it with Dane Charbeneau who’s now my brother-in-law, he married my sister, and, yeah, we’re still working away at it and we’ll see. I mean, everyone in Hollywood has a screenplay. It takes a lot for something to get greenlit, especially in this day and age, but we’ll just do our best.
Q: Will your father direct it?
Howard: I don’t want to say no, but I could just say a solid, genuine I don’t know. I mean, it’s at Imagine, so that’s always a possibility, but there’s no kind of definitive answers.