Bryce Dallas Howard Had the ‘Biggest Crush’ on Joaquin Phoenix

Actress Bryce Dallas Howard has come out to share her experience while filming her first major movie, The Village, noting that she had a childhood crush on her co-star, Joaquin Phoenix. In a recent discussion, the Jurassic World star recounted her time on the sets of the M. Night Shyamalan flick while doubling down on her excitement while working with Phoenix.

So, here’s everything Howard shared about working with the acclaimed actor in the 2004 film.

Bryce Dallas Howard details experience working with ‘crush’ Joaquin Phoenix

During her recent appearance on a podcast, The Help actress revealed that she had a huge crush on Joaquin Phoenix while growing up.

Explaining how it was to feature beside the Academy Award winner, Bryce Dallas Howard stated on Podcrushed, “I had the biggest crush on Joaquin Phoenix when I was seven years old, and he was Leaf Phoenix, and he was in Parenthood. And it was insane being like, ‘Oh, you want me to play a character who’s been in love with this guy, like, her whole life? Sure.”

The Village was Howard’s first prominent outing as an actress, where she portrayed the role of Ivy Walker. Helmed by M. Night Shyamalan, who is famous for concluding his films with an unconventional twist, the thriller revolves around the escapades of an isolated community that leads a secluded life in fear of a mysterious monster that supposedly lurks in the woods surrounding its town. However, a chain of unsuspecting events starts to take place when a blind girl dares to venture into the forest to seek help after a member of her community gets injured.

Talking about her breakout role, which incidentally happened opposite Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Dallas Howard noted that the part was “very magical.” She also levied heavy praise on her fellow cast members, which included the likes of Adrien Brody, William Hurt, and Sigourney Weaver, among others, labeling them as an “unbelievable group of people.”

Howard even lauded Shyamalan for providing her with the “career-defining moment” of her life, stating, “That was very, I mean, incredibly courageous of Night to cast me, and he was really supportive.”