Bryce Dallas Howard Recalls Childhood Crush Joaquin Phoenix on The Village Set

Bryce Dallas Howard revealed that she had a huge childhood crush on Joaquin Phoenix, who played her love interest in the 2004 film The Village, directed by M. Night Shyamalan. She described the experience of playing Ivy, a character in love with Phoenix's Lucius, as "very magical" and praised the cast and director for their support, calling her casting a "career-defining moment." Howard also shared that improv comedy has helped her develop skills useful in parenting her two teenagers, emphasizing its role in fostering listening, responsiveness, and playfulness. The Village, a thriller about an isolated 19th-century community living in fear of monsters, marked Howard's first major film role, with Shyamalan casting her after seeing her perform in a New York theater production. Across multiple interviews and podcast appearances, Howard expressed her admiration for Phoenix and the film’s ensemble, including Adrien Brody and Sigourney Weaver. Her recent work includes the film Deep Cover, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival and involves her playing an improv teacher.