Bryce Dallas Howard (born March 2, 1981) is an American actress, director, producer, model, and writer. She is the eldest daughter of actor and director Ron Howard . She attended New York University 's Tisch School of the Arts , but left before graduating to take on roles on Broadway . While starring as Rosalind in the play As You Like It , Howard caught the attention of director M. Night Shyamalan , and he cast her in what would be her breakout film, the psychological thriller The Village (2004). She then starred in Shyamalan's fantasy thriller Lady in the Water (2006). Her performance in Kenneth Branagh 's 2006 film adaptation of As You Like It earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination. In 2006, she co-wrote and directed the short film Orchids . Howard also appeared as Gwen Stacy in Sam Raimi 's superhero film Spider-Man 3 (2007).