Howard leaves footprints on ‘Jurassic World’ role
For Bryce Dallas Howard, the big-budget sequel “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” is a first.
Howard, 37, has starred in such franchises as “Twilight,” “Terminator” and “Spider-Man,” but for only one installment in each.
“Fallen Kingdom” (opening Friday) lets her not just reprise her character Claire Dearing, but have yet another go when “Jurassic World” concludes as a trilogy.
“It’s so great!” she said. “When I did (the other) movies, I remember thinking to myself, because I was seeing the actors who had gone through two movies together ... of camaraderie, and I always wanted to be part of that, to be there in the beginning.
“This is a dream, and I’m so happy it’s happened at this stage of my life, and I get to do another one as I head towards 40.”
The 2015 “Jurassic World” had Claire as the high-heeled operations manager of the island amusement park — until the dinosaurs’ rampage saw Jurassic World go kaput.
In “Fallen Kingdom,” Dearing has changed.
“She created this dinosaur protection group,” Howard said.
As volcanic eruptions doom Isla Nublar and its genetically created population, she returns as part of a team to rescue dinosaurs — a plan that doesn’t turn out as expected.
For a gargantuan $300 million movie, Howard had substantial input into Claire’s evolution.
“The collaborations — tons and tons absolutely! — began when I got the script and there was rewriting during the rehearsal period. It’s cool because you’re part of it, but not responsible.”
Back in 2015, social media had a field day speculating about Claire’s high heels. “Fallen Kingdom” acknowledges that buzz by introducing Claire from the ground up.
Did that internet onslaught have Howard feeling as if velociraptors in human form were after her?
“Not at all. Obviously, I was surprised and fascinated around the conversation that was going on about the heels. I wasn’t offended by it. This time, the first script I saw, it was written Claire was in sneakers, and I said, ‘No, no, no. She’s going to wear heels.’
“Now it’s become part of her character arc and a visual metaphor for Claire. I like that.”