Bryce Dallas Howard is joining up with Emma Stone and Viola Davis in the film adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s novel The Help. The actress, best known for her roles in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village and Lady in the Water, is currently in negotiations to play Hilly Holbrook, the ringleader of a group of 1960s upper-class women in Mississippi who treat their black maids poorly and wind up becoming the subjects of a scathing book depicting their deplorable behavior.
Howard’s character will face off against Stone, who plays the protagonist Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, an aspiring writer who decides to interview the maids to learn what it’s really like being in the employ of these women. Viola Davis will play Aibileen, the domestic worker that gives her story to Skeeter, while encouraging the other maids to do so, too.
The film, written and directed by Stockett’s childhood friend Tate Taylor, will begin filming this July in Mississippi. Howard can next be seen in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, in which she’ll play the villainous and bloodthirsty vampire Victoria.
Chris Columbus and his 1942 Pictures are producing The Help with Dreamworks Studios.
Bad actress, nice to have a famous daddy. Now that Legend of the Seeker is over, I think Bridget Regan will be a big movie star – she is beautiful and can actually act.
This sounds like it could be good. The cast is great. Bryce Dallas Howard is a great actress. Whatever your opinion is of The Village, Howard was fantastic in it.
Agreed, Bryce Howard is a really terrible actress, but it’s all in who you know, you know?
nepotism at work!! this middling starlet must go!!
This “actress” elicits absolutely no emotional reaction from me & to top it off,I see Opie! Sorry, Bryce, you need “HELP”!!
Yep, she’s Daddy’s little girl!
This is weird, I would have cast her (Bryce Dallas Howard) as Skeeter. Hilly’s described as being a little overweight, and the last time I saw her BDH weighed about a buck 10.
I agree. They got Skeeter wrong too with Emma Stone. Bryce would have been better for Skeeter but still not great.
Great book, too bad the movie will most likely be a disappointment.
I agree, did any of the csating agents actually read this book? I understand it is never the same, but Hilly being a little bit pudgy is actaully a significant plot point. I also cannot see how anyone could make Emma Stone look ackward and wallflowery.
I really hope that they cast Jennifer Hudson as Minny
that would be great casting!
so who cares agegaplove..“c“om?
BDH will make a perfect Hilly actually. She has the chops to pull off being the meanest character in the book. It’s a brave move really! I can imagine lots of actresses not being willing to take on this role.
Thought the same thing about Ms Howard as Skeeter..Hilly was always being referred to as a bit overweight and that was one of the character’s reason for being so mean…she was so unhappy with herself and how she looked. ALso..great idea someone had of Jennifer Hudson as Minnie.
I think Jennifer Hudson would be awesome as Minnie but, unfortunately she will be filming a movie about Winnie Mandela in South Africa this summer.
I think they made a great choice with Bryce and Jennifer hudson as minnie would be a terrible idea. I’d prefer to see whoopi play abby and viola play minnie.
you are all right about BDH….she is too skinny! Allison Janey would be a great Skeeter and Queen Latifa should play Minny!!!!
Bryce is perfect for Hilly. Now we just need Scarlett Johansson for Celia and we’re good to go!
I was wondering where in Miss. will you be filming The Help. I live 90 miles North of Jackson. Would love to be an extra. I grew up in the 60′s so I know the impact of the subject matter for the book. Great job Kathryn. Just bought the audio too.
it was announced that primary filming will be in Greenwood
Um, you do realize that Skeeter is supposed to be about 23 , right? I don’t think Allison Janey could get away with that! I am very disappointed with the casting so far. I like Emma Stone, but do not see her as Skeeter. I see someone line Lee lee Sobieski or someone like that. Blonde, skinny, and homely. I see Queen Latifah as Aibileen. I did through the whole book. I see Jennifer Hudson or Mo-Nique as Minny. The girl who played Veronica Mars would be great as Celia.