Bryce Dallas Howard isn't exactly an A-list movie actress these days, but she had a deceptively meaty part in last summer's The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, and should be a standout of the excellent cast of The Help, the drama coming this summer. All the same the actress is expanding her talents; according to Showbiz 411's Roger Friedman, she's set to make her directorial debut with The Originals, a script she wrote along with writing partner Dane Charbonneau.

Howard gave Friedman the news personally, and described the project as "a Breakfast Club for my generation." She's also written roles specifically for a number of actors she knows, including Zoe Saldana, "but there are so many good choices out there." It's unclear when she's planning to go into production, or what scale movie this will be, though it pretty much screams star-powered indie that seeks distribution at Sundance. The Breakfast Club comparison is an automatic red flag for me-- so many people have tried to imitate that movie and done it terribly-- but I have faith in Howard's smarts, not to mention a lifetime's worth of experience with the film industry. If she pulls together a good cast it might be another strong sign.