Ron Howard's unrealized projects
The following is a list of unproduced Ron Howard projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American film director Ron Howard has worked on several projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell in development hell, were officially cancelled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.
1980s
[edit]Rainbow Warrior
[edit]In the early 1980s, Howard planned to make a film surrounding the events of Greenpeace and their ship the Rainbow Warrior.[1] "That ship had been impounded and captured by Spain, and I wanted to do a movie about that, and their escape," Howard later said. "I couldn't get it off the ground." He later fulfilled his ambitions to make a movie set in the ocean with 2015's In the Heart of the Sea.[2]
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
[edit]Howard was offered the opportunity to direct Superman IV: The Quest for Peace by Christopher Reeve, but The Cannon Group, Inc. hired Sidney J. Furie to direct instead.[3][4]
1990s
[edit]The Chamber
[edit]Into Thin Air
[edit]In 1995, after Apollo 13, Howard was said to be interested in directing two thrillers as his next films; Ransom, and an unrealized project called Into Thin Air, scripted by Henry Bean.[5]
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
[edit]In the 1990s, Howard was one of three directors, including Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg, in talks with George Lucas to direct Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, which Howard revealed on a 2015 episode of the Happy, Sad Confused podcast, stating that he found the offer too daunting. Lucas eventually ended up directing the film.[6]
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
[edit]In 1997, it was reported that New Line Cinema was in talks with Howard to direct a new adaptation of James Thurber's short story "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", with Jim Carrey attached to star in the lead role.[7]
The Sea Wolf
[edit]In 1998, Howard was attached to direct a film version of Jack London's The Sea Wolf for Columbia Pictures, with Nicolas Cage in the starring role.[8] The project was abandoned as Howard felt it was "too expensive and the cast didn't come together in a way that I felt was right for the movie."[9] The following year, John Boorman signed on to direct the adaptation.[8]
Intolerable Cruelty
[edit]Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
[edit]Howard was one of several directors approached to do Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in the late 1990s, but he rejected the offer as he had just completed production on How the Grinch Stole Christmas and did not want to do another fantasy film.[10]
2000s
[edit]Some Like It Hot remake
[edit]In the early 2000s, Howard had been set to direct a remake of Billy Wilder's classic comedy Some Like It Hot with Scarlett Johansson, Ashton Kutcher, and Shia LaBeouf in Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon's roles, respectively.[11]
The Alamo
[edit]The Serpent and the Eagle
[edit]In 2002, Howard was set to produce and possibly direct Hans Beimler and Robert Wolfe's historical drama The Serpent and the Eagle about the relationship between Hernán Cortés and El Malinchi, for Universal Pictures.[12]
Inside Man
[edit]Last Man Home
[edit]In March 2006, Howard was set to direct Jamie Moss' first Gulf War spec script Last Man Home, about a soldier on a covert mission to find his AWOL brother, with Brian Grazer set to produce and Universal Pictures set to distribute the film.[13]
The Look of Real
[edit]In April 2006, Howard became attached to direct The Look of Real, an ensemble film written by Winnie Holzman about a group of young women in the garment industry. He reportedly wanted to cast his daughter Bryce in an unspecified role. Brian Grazer was set to produce the film through Imagine Entertainment, with Universal Pictures distributing.[14]
Changeling
[edit]Caché remake
[edit]In February 2007, Howard was set to direct and produce the American remake of Michael Haneke's psychological thriller Caché with Plum Pictures attached to produce and Universal Pictures to distribute.[15]
Colossus: The Forbin Project remake
[edit]The Emperor's Children
[edit]In July 2007, Howard was set to direct and produce the film adaptation of Claire Messud's novel The Emperor's Children with Noah Baumbach writing the script and Universal Pictures set to distribute the film.[16] But in 2010, with Howard opting instead to direct The Dilemma, Baumbach replaced him as director, with Eric Bana, Keira Knightley and Richard Gere attached to star. This production failed to materialize, and in 2014, Lake Bell became attached to direct, replacing Baumbach.[17][18]
The Strange Adventures of H.P. Lovecraft
[edit]In March 2009, Howard was set to produce and possibly direct the film adaptation of Mac Carter and Jeff Blitz's graphic novel The Strange Adventures of H.P. Lovecraft with Carter writing the script and Universal Pictures set to distribute.[19]
The Lost Symbol
[edit]The Parsifal Mosaic
[edit]2010s
[edit]The Dark Tower
[edit]My Stroke of Insight
[edit]In October 2010, Howard was set to direct and produce the film adaptation of neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor's memoir My Stroke of Insight for Sony Pictures, with Semi Chellas writing the script. Howard was reported as wanting Jodie Foster to star in the film.[20]
Amnesty
[edit]In April 2011, it was reported that Howard was set to produce and direct Max Landis' fantasy spy pitch Amnesty for Universal Pictures.[21]
Spy vs. Spy
[edit]In June 2011, Howard was set to direct the film adaptation of the comic strip Spy vs. Spy with David Koepp writing the script.[22] By 2020, Rawson Marshall Thurber took over as both director and writer, with Howard attached as a producer only.[23]
Under the Banner of Heaven
[edit]In July 2011, it was reported that Howard was set to direct a film adaptation of Jon Krakauer's 2003 novel Under the Banner of Heaven for Warner Bros., which eventually became the Hulu miniseries of the same name, for which Howard served as an executive producer.[24][25]
364
[edit]In September 2011, it was reported that Howard was set to produce and direct David Guggenheim's superhero drama script 364 about a guy with superpowers one day every year for Universal Pictures.[26]
The Imitation Game
[edit]In October 2011, it was reported that Howard was interested in directing Graham Moore's script The Imitation Game, with Leonardo DiCaprio in talks to star as Alan Turing. Morten Tyldum would end up directing the film with Benedict Cumberbatch portraying Turing instead.[27]
Doc Holiday TV pilot
[edit]In November 2011, it was reported that Howard was set to direct the pilot episode of Akiva Goldsman's biographical Western series based on Mary Doria Russell's novel Doc, written by Adam Cooper and Bill Collage for HBO.[28]
Conquest TV series
[edit]In July 2012, it was reported that Howard was set to direct and produce through Imagine Entertainment José Rivera's historical Aztec series Conquest for Showtime.[29]
All I've Got
[edit]On January 17, 2013, Howard was set to direct the film All I've Got, after J. J. Abrams left to write and direct Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.[30] In 2016, the film was retitled Kolma, with Marielle Heller taking over directing duties from Howard and Daisy Ridley attached to star.[31]
The Graveyard Book
[edit]On January 22, 2013, Howard was set to direct the film adaptation of Neil Gaiman's novel The Graveyard Book for Walt Disney Pictures.[32] In 2022, Marc Forster signed on to direct the adaptation.[33]
Mena
[edit]On February 8, 2014, it was reported that Howard was set to direct Gary Spinelli's script Mena about drug trafficker Barry Seal for Universal Pictures, which eventually became the Doug Liman film American Made, starring Tom Cruise.[34][35]
The Jungle Book
[edit]On February 14, 2014, it was reported that Howard was set to direct an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's 1894 classic The Jungle Book for Warner Bros., which eventually became the Andy Serkis film Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle.[36]
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair
[edit]In April 2014, it was reported that Howard was set to direct a film adaptation of Joël Dicker's 2014 novel The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair for Warner Bros. The novel was instead adapted into a miniseries through Epix.[37]
The Girl Before
[edit]In 2015, it was reported that Howard was attached to direct the film adaptation of J. P. Delaney's novel The Girl Before and produce through Imagine Entertainment. The novel was instead adapted for television, without the involvement of Howard.[38]
Pinocchio
[edit]In February 2016, it was reported that Howard was possibly going to direct an adaptation of Pinocchio with Robert Downey Jr. set to produce and portray Geppetto.[39]
Seveneves
[edit]Zelda
[edit]In October 2016, it was reported that Howard was possibly going to direct Emma Frost's script Zelda about the socialite Zelda Fitzgerald with Jennifer Lawrence set to produce and portray Zelda.[40]
The Warehouse
[edit]In April 2018, it was reported that Imagine Entertainment had won the film rights to the Rob Hart novel The Warehouse, with plans to develop the project for Howard to direct.[41]
Canary
[edit]In June 2018, it was announced that Imagine Entertainment had acquired the rights to produce screenwriter Zach Dean's pitch Canary, a female-led science fiction story, with the intention of developing the project as a directing vehicle for Howard.[42]
The Shrinking of Treehorn
[edit]In 2019, Howard was announced as director of his first animated film The Shrinking of Treehorn, based on the children's book by Florence Parry Heide. Paramount Pictures was to release the film, planned to be the first in a series of live action/animated productions through Imagine Entertainment.[43]
2020s
[edit]The Fixer
[edit]In January 2020, Howard was set to direct and produce The Fixer, a political thriller about a failed assassination attempt on Fidel Castro for Paramount Pictures.[44]
Untitled Lang Lang biopic
[edit]In September 2020, Howard was announced to direct a film biopic of Chinese pianist Lang Lang, written by Michele Mulroney and Kieran Mulroney based on his memoir Journey of a Thousand Miles. Howard planned for it to be his next film after Thirteen Lives.[45]
Producer only
[edit]Oh, the Places You'll Go!
[edit]In 1998, Howard and Brian Grazer were reportedly attached to produce a film adaptation of the Dr. Seuss children's book Oh, the Places You'll Go!, but were focused on adapting How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at the time.[46]
The Church of Reggie TV pilot
[edit]In 2007, Howard was set to produce Chuck Tatham's religious comedy The Church of Reggie with Brian Grazer and David Nevins through Imagine Entertainment for Fox.[47]
Tiger & Bunny
[edit]In 2015, Howard and Brian Grazer signed on to co-produce a live action film adaptation of the anime Tiger & Bunny through Imagine Entertainment, as a co-production with All Nippon Entertainment Works and Bandai Namco Pictures.[48] In 2022, Bandai Namco announced that a TV series would be made without the participation of Imagine Entertainment.[49]
Be More Chill
[edit]In 2018, it was reported that Howard's Imagine Entertainment was in the running to acquire the film rights to Joe Iconis' musical adaptation of the novel Be More Chill, but Shawn Levy and Greg Berlanti acquired the project instead.[50]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Collis, Clark (December 10, 2015). "In the Heart of the Sea: How Ron Howard overcame his fear of the ocean to make the film". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ Scott, Nate (December 11, 2015). "An interview with Ron Howard, the nicest heavy hitter in Hollywood". For the Win. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE (1987)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Supervoid Cinema (December 3, 2022). "Spider-Man Documentary • The Best 80's Movie Never Made • Cannon Films Spider-Man: The Movie". YouTube. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Archerd, Army (March 6, 1995). "Howard ponders projects post-'Apollo'". Variety. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ Chitwood, Adam (November 25, 2015). "'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace' Was Offered to Ron Howard, Robert Zemeckis". Collider. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Variety Staff (July 11, 1997). "Howard mulls 'Mitty'". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ a b Fleming, Michael (May 6, 1999). "Boorman steams onto 'Sea Wolf'". Variety. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ Kirkland, Bruce (December 6, 2015). "Ron Howard talks period drama 'In the Heart of the Sea'". Toronto Sun. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ Green, Alex (November 5, 2021). "Ron Howard: I turned down offer to direct the first Harry Potter film". Irish Independent. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
I'd read the books and they were fantastic but, in all honesty, I had just finished the Grinch. That was fun and fascinating, but an unbelievably challenging and difficult production so I didn't want to be in the fantasy world for another few years.
- ^ Amy Nicholson; Paul Sheer (October 2, 2019). "Some Like It Hot". Earwolf. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Michael (September 16, 2002). "Howard eyes Mexican tale 'Eagle' for U". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Pamela McClintock; Nicole LaPorte (March 20, 2006). "'Home' fire burning for U, Imagine". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Michael (April 20, 2006). "Imagine's got the 'Look'". Variety. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ Diane Garrett; Steven Zeitchik (February 19, 2007). "Howard decodes 'Cache'". Variety. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (July 17, 2007). "Howard ready to father 'Children'". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Sneider, Jeff (March 23, 2010). "Exclusive: Knightley, Bana, Gere Join 'Emperor's Children'". The Wrap. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Kit, Borys (July 19, 2014). "Lake Bell to Direct Adaptation of 'Emperor's Children' for Imagine Entertainment". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Graser, Marc (March 25, 2009). "Universal, Imagine team on 'Strange'". Variety. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 1, 2010). "Ron Howard Wants To Direct Jodie Foster". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 28, 2011). "Max Landis, Ron Howard Team Up On 'Amnesty' Pitch". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 22, 2011). "Ron Howard, David Koepp Team Up For 'Spy Vs. Spy'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Snieder, Jeff (April 29, 2020). "Exclusive: Rawson Marshall Thurber in Talks to Direct 'Spy vs. Spy' Movie for WB and Imagine". Collider. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 19, 2011). "Warner Bros Acquiring Jon Krakauer's 'Under The Banner Of Heaven' For Ron Howard And Dustin Lance Black". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ White, Peter (June 24, 2021). "Andrew Garfield & Daisy Edgar-Jones To Star In Limited Series 'Under The Banner Of Heaven' For FX From Dustin Lance Black". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 8, 2011). "Universal Acquires David Guggenheim Pitch '364' For Ron Howard To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Finke, Nikki (October 11, 2011). "Warner Bros Buys Spec Script About Math Genius Alan Turing For Leonardo DiCaprio". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 21, 2011). "Akiva Goldsman Inks Overall Deal With HBO, Sets Up Western Drama About Doc Holliday With Ron Howard Attached To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 30, 2012). "Showtime & Imagine Team For Aztec Drama Directed By Ron Howard & Penned By Jose Rivera". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Brodesser-Akner, Claude (January 17, 2013). "Exclusive: Ron Howard Getting All I've Got From J.J. Abrams's Bad Robot at Paramount". Vulture. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Busch, Anita (April 19, 2016). "Daisy Ridley Reteaming With J.J. Abrams For 'Kolma'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Borys Kit; Tatiana Siegel (January 22, 2013). "Ron Howard in Talks to Direct Disney's 'Graveyard Book' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (July 19, 2022). "Marc Forster And Producing Partner Renée Wolfe Developing Adaptation Of Neil Gaiman's 'The Graveyard Book' At Disney". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 8, 2014). "Universal Closes $1 Million Spec Deal For 'Mena,' 80s Drug Tale Ron Howard Will Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 14, 2015). "'Edge' Guys Tom Cruise, Doug Liman Eye Drug Pilot Tale 'Mena'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
- ^ Tatiana Siegel; Borys Kit (February 14, 2014). "Ron Howard in Talks to Direct Warner Bros.' 'The Jungle Book' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 23, 2014). "Warner Bros Acquires Global Book Sensation 'The Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair,' Ron Howard To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (November 27, 2015). "'The Perfect Wife' Book Deal Another Perfect Fit For Imagine". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (February 17, 2016). "{Exclusive} Ron Howard Set To Direct Robert Downey Jr.'s "Pinocchio", Replacing Paul Thomas Anderson". The Tracking Board. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (October 21, 2016). "Jennifer Lawrence to Play Zelda Fitzgerald in Biopic From Ron Howard". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (April 30, 2018). "Imagine's Brian Grazer Lands 'The Warehouse' Book Auction As Directing Vehicle For 'Han Solo's Ron Howard". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 21, 2018). "Imagine Buys Zach Dean Pitch 'Canary' As Ron Howard Directing Vehicle". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
- ^ Donnelly, Matt (June 20, 2019). "Ron Howard to Direct First Animated Film as Imagine Sets Ambitious Feature Slate With Animal Logic (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 10, 2020). "Ron Howard Set By Paramount To Direct 'The Fixer,' Plot To Kill Fidel Castro". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (September 22, 2020). "Ron Howard, Imagine, AGC & CAA Tune Up Biopic Of Virtuoso Chinese Pianist Lang Lang". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ Variety Staff (September 17, 1998). "Hoffmann nabs 'Flawless,' more Seuss on loose". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Snieder, Michael (October 10, 2007). "Fox believes in 'Church of Reggie'". Variety. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (October 9, 2015). "Imagine Ent., Japan's ANEW Partner For 'Tiger & Bunny' Adaptation". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (June 3, 2022). "'Tiger & Bunny' Adaptation Takes Shape as SK Global Options Anime Property". Variety. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 20, 2018). "Shawn Levy & Greg Berlanti Chosen To Team On Movie Version Of Broadway-Bound 'Be More Chill'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
