Howard has dark secrets in "Hereafter"

Posted by Sai

Bryce Dallas Howard in Hereafter

She most recently played Victoria in the third installment of the blockbuster franchise “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.” Now, Bryce Dallas Howard stars opposite Matt Damon in director Clint Eastwood's supernatural drama “Hereafter” from Warner Bros.

In the film, Damon plays George Lonegan, a reluctant psychic medium trying to break free from the desperate people seeking one last moment with loved ones that have passed on. In an attempt to move on, George enters into a tentative romance with Melanie, played by Howard, a displaced Midwesterner he meets at a cooking class.

“Melanie has just moved to San Francisco because she just got dumped by someone, so she’s also trying to start over,” Howard says. “When she gets paired up with George at this cooking class, he seems perfect for her. She’s a little bit nervous and he’s a little bit shy; they have a nice, genuine rapport. But as they get to know each other, it becomes clear that George has his secret, and Melanie has secrets of her own.”

Producer Robert Lorenz says Howard brought the character’s vulnerability to life: “Bryce has a youthful charm and spirit that was perfect for Melanie in so many ways. And her chemistry with Matt was very strong, which we all saw in their first scene together in the cooking class. But, of course, in an emotional, heartbreaking moment, we discover that she’s got a lot of turmoil in her life.”

“Meeting Melanie is an example of how George’s life gets screwed up by having this talent, this clairvoyance…whatever you want to call it,” says Eastwood. “They’re the kind of people you root for. You want them to be together. But, of course, there is a problem.”

Bryce Dallas Howard will next be seen in the screen adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s bestselling novel “The Help,” produced by Chris Columbus, in which she will play the role of “Hilly,” set for release late this year.

In 2010, she starred in the film version of the Tennessee Williams play, “The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond,” opposite Chris Evans and had a supporting role opposite Christian Bale in McG’s actioner “Terminator Salvation.” Howard’s additional on-screen credits include Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 3,” in which she played Gwen Stacy; M. Night Shyamalan’s “Lady in the Water,” alongside Paul Giamatti, and “The Village,” in which she made her feature film debut opposite Adrien Brody, Joaquin Phoenix and Sigourney Weaver; and Lars von Trier’s “Manderlay,” the follow-up to “Dogville.” Howard also received a 2008 Golden Globe nomination for her performance as Rosalind in HBO’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” written and directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Expanding her creative reach beyond acting, Howard produced Gus Van Sant’s “Restless,” which will premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and is set for release early this year, made her 2006 directorial debut with the short film “Orchids” and currently has a feature in development as screenwriter.