"Spider-Man 3" actress Bryce Dallas Howard doesn't usually get nervous before starting a new film. But she isn't usually playing a Tennessee Williams heroine either. Howard recently told MTV News that her role in the independent film "The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond," which opens Wednesday (December 30) in New York and Los Angeles, left her a little on edge.
"I don't know what it is, but in the past, I haven't been a part of things that I can get really nervous or intimidated [about]," Howard said. "I just have blinders on and go for it. This was the first time I was a little concerned before doing it, because I was like, 'Oh my goodness. It's originating a Tennessee Williams heroine. If I mess it up, it's like literary blasphemy. It would be tragic.' "
The film, based on a previously unproduced screenplay by Williams, follows Howard's 1920s Southern debutante Fisher Willow as she falls in love with poor country boy Jimmy Dobyne (Chris Evans). Fisher convinces Jimmy to be her escort to society functions, and as the title suggests, she loses a teardrop diamond earring at one of the fetes, triggering a series of accusations and lies. Ann-Margret and Ellen Burstyn also star.
A surprising aid to Howard's portrayal of the flighty socialite was a bit of post-baby weight from giving birth to son Theodore in 2007. "I had actually just had a baby and was quite voluptuous," Howard explained. "It was really great, because [director] Jodie [Markell] was like, 'It's perfect!' Because this character is meant to have quite a presence and quite literally a weight to her. So it was kind of a good time in my life to physically play a character like this."
Howard can next be seen in the third "Twilight" saga film, "Eclipse," taking over the role of vampire Victoria originated by Rachelle Lefevre. The film opens June 2010.
Check out everything we've got on "The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond."
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