Bryce Dallas Howard says she would not star in The Help if it was made today
Bryce Dallas Howard has revealed she would not star in The Help if she was offered a role today.
The Jurassic World actress appeared in the 2011 film that focuses on a white woman documenting the experiences of Black maids in her town, and recently advised people not to watch the movie if they wanted to educate themselves on racial injustice.
Following up those comments, in which she admitted the movie was a "fictional story told through the perspective of a white character and was created by predominantly white storytellers", Howard was asked whether she would make it today.
Related: Jurassic World 3's Bryce Dallas Howard explains what's changed for filming restart
"No," she definitively replied to The Los Angeles Times. "But what I will say is: What I've seen is that folks have the courage to say that. 'With all due respect, I love this project, I do not think you could be the filmmaker.'
"That's a really powerful thing to say. That's an important stance to take in order to make room for the true authentic storytellers. ... In this transformation that's happening, there's a new freedom of expression.
"I'm seeing from others – and feeling from myself – that it is less about worrying about offending people and looking within and saying, 'Why? What really am I scared of, and what is that reinforcing?' And so I posted it and didn't look back."
The Help recently became one of the most-watched movies on Netflix in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests, which sparked Howard to make her initial comments.
Related: Digital Spy Black Lives Matter statement
Speaking in her latest interview, she added: "Being around movie sets, I know what goes into a production. So when I'm watching a movie, I know when I see the director's name that they were really, really involved and it's largely their opinions and the writer's opinion.
"The actors, I don't want to say we're props – we can be more than props. But the final decision is not ours. I know who has the power. And so right now, in this time, stories are going to play a crucial role in our ability to empathise and to be inspired into action.
"And the storytellers who we must listen to right now and look to and learn from — there's an extraordinary body of work that centers on Black characters from Black creators."
Howard previously shared a number of films and shows to help educate on racial injustice, including Ava DuVernay's 13th and When They See Us, and Watchmen.
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the UK anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and the Unite Families & Friends Campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.
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