WHAT would the good people of Mayberry say? In the new Lars von Trier film “Manderlay,” Bryce Dallas Howard, daughter of Ron Howard – Opie Taylor on the Mayberry-set, 1960s sit-com “The Andy Griffith Show” – bares all in an explicit sex scene with a black slave.
How explicit?
Let’s just say there’s no doubt that the 24-year-old actress is a real redhead.
Howard launched her film career with a few uncredited cameos in her father’s movies, starting with “Parenthood” when she was 7. But her first big role came in 2004, with M. Night Shyamalan’s 19th century chiller “The Village,” in which she played a blind woman.
She’s just completed shooting Shyamalan’s next flick, “Lady in the Water,” which she describes as a “juiced up” version of a story the director wrote for his children. She’ll also be appearing as Rosalind in Kenneth Branagh’s upcoming film version of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.”
In “Manderlay,” the second part of a trilogy by controversial Danish director von Trier, Howard plays Grace, the character portrayed by Nicole Kidman in the first installment, 2003’s “Dogville.”
Kidman was supposed to reprise the role in the two sequels but dropped out. Rumors abounded that she and the notoriously difficult von Trier didn’t get along.
The Post asked Howard about the director’s irritability and the challenge of screening your first nude scene for your father.
Q:How did you wind up replacing Nicole Kidman in “Manderlay”?
A:In a very roundabout away. I was doing “As You Like It” at the Public, and they had just lost Nicole. The producer told one of her friends they were willing to go with an unknown, so keep your eyes peeled. She saw a dress rehearsal of “As You Like It” and they put me on tape. Then Lars had me come to Denmark to audition.
Q:Do you know why Kidman pulled out?
A:It wasn’t any problem she had with the project. She’s very good friends with Lars till this day. One of her films went on longer than expected, so it was a scheduling conflict.
Q:So it wasn’t because she didn’t get along with Lars?
A:No, no, no.
Q:So you didn’t find Lars difficult?
A:Not at all. He’s a director with a vision, but he’s a lot of fun and he’s very gentle.
Q:Is the film’s nude scene your first?
A:Yes, on the screen. But I did nudity in a play called “Hamlet Machine” when I was at NYU.
Q:There are already nude shots from “Manderlay” on the Web. Do they bother you?
A:I knew that was going to happen. My manager warned me. I just hope they’ll disappear by the time I have kids.
Q:What do your parents think of the nudity?
A:They’re really proud, honestly. In particular, my dad was really impressed with what Lars did cinematically. Of course, it’s a little challenging to see their daughter go through what I went through. But they get it. They know I’m an actor.
Q:I see you’re wearing an engage-ment ring. Who’s the lucky man?
A:I can’t say, but I’ve been with him for five years.
Q:Is he in the movie business?
A:Yes.
Q:Any other members of the Howard brood going into show business?
A:My sister Paige. She’s studying acting at NYU.
Q:Would you like to make a movie with her?
A:I’d totally love that.
Q:Do you ever watch your dad’s old TV shows?
A:I’ve seen a bunch of episodes of “The Andy Griffith Show.”
Q:What’s it like seeing your father as a boy? He had hair back then!
A:It’s really cool. It gives me a different insight into him.
Q:Some people say Lars is a misogynistic filmmaker, especially after “Breaking the Waves” [his 1996 film with Emily Watson].
A:A lot of people feel that way. But I think what’s far more misogynistic are movies where the entire performance of a female is a shot of her ass. I’ve seen movies where a woman is giving a great performance, but they’ve chosen to primarily film her physique. It’s very sexually voyeuristic, as opposed to what Lars does. Sure, women become victims in his films, but so do men. But it’s a valid interpretation. Lars makes provocative films, so a lot of people will be provoked, and that’s what he intends.
Q:He certainly seems to have a dim view of America.
A:I think America is the lens through which Lars is exploring a much bigger issue: the consequence of oppression. As an American, I had to think long and hard about working with someone who had been so criticized. But after seeing “Dogville” and having long talks with him, I realized that what he stands for is noble and courageous, and that’s something I want to be part of.
THE SCORE
Name: Bryce Dallas Howard
Age: 24
Born: Dallas
Home: Los Angeles
Nickname: “Bry”
Parents: Actor-director Ron Howard and writer Cheryl Howard
Godfather: Henry Winkler, who starred with Ron Howard on “Happy Days”
Schooling: NYU and the Stella Adler Conservatory
