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.
1990s
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
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.
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
On September 17, 1998, Howard and Brian Grazer were attached to a film adaptation of Dr. Seuss children's book Oh, the Places You'll Go!, but were busy adapting the live-action adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. On November 11, 2021, it was announced that Jon M. Chu would direct an animated adaptation of the book for Warner Animated Group and J. J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions.
2000s
Some Like It Hot remake
According to the Unspooled podcast, Amy Nicholson found out that Howard was set to direct a remake of Billy Wilder's classic comedy Some Like It Hot in a Marilyn Monroe biography, and Scarlett Johansson, Ashton Kutcher, and Shia LaBeouf in Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon’s roles, respectively, which Paul Sheer objected to the casting and the idea of cross-dressing movies.
The Serpent and the Eagle
On September 16, 2002, it was reported that Howard was set to produce and possibly direct Hans Beimler and Robert Wolfe’s historical drama The Serpent and the Eagle about the relationship of Hernán Cortés and El Malinchi for Universal Pictures.Howard ultimately chose to direct Cinderella Man instead.
Last Man Home
On March 20, 2006, Howard was set to direct Jamie Moss' first Gulf War spec script Last Man Home, about a soldier who is on a covert mission to find his AWOL brother, with Brian Grazer set to produce and Universal Pictures set to distribute the film.
Changeling
Caché remake
On February 19, 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 set to distribute the remake.
The Emperor's Children film
On July 17, 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.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 in the project; this production failed to materialize, and in July 2014, Lake Bell became attached to direct the project instead of Baumbach.
The Church of Reggie TV pilot
On October 10, 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.
The Strange Adventures of H.P. Lovecraft film
On March 25, 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 the film.
The Lost Symbol
The Parsifal Mosaic
2010s
The Dark Tower
My Stroke of Insight
On October 1, 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.
Amnesty
On April 28, 2011, it was reported that Howard was set to produce and direct Max Landis’ fantasy spy pitch Amnesty for Universal Pictures.
Spy vs. Spy
On June 22, 2011, Howard was set to direct the film adaptation of the comic strip Spy vs. Spy with David Koepp writing the script. But on April 29, 2020, Rawson Marshall Thurber took over writing and directing the movie with Howard attached as a producer only.
Under the Banner of Heaven
On July 19, 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 and Grazer served as executive producers.
364
On September 8, 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.
The Imitation Game
On October 11, 2011, it was reported that Howard was interested in directing Graham Moore’s script The Imitation Game about Alan Turing with Leonardo DiCaprio in talks to star, but Morten Tyldum ended up directing the film with Benedict Cumberbatch portraying Turing.
Doc Holiday TV pilot
On November 21, 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.
Conquest TV series
On July 30, 2012, it was reported that Howard was set to direct and produce through Imagine Entertainment José Rivera’s historical Aztec series Conquest for Showtime.
All I've Got
On January 17, 2013, Howard was set to direct the English-language film All I’ve Got after J. J. Abrams left to write and direct Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.But on April 19, 2016, Marielle Heller took over directing the movie from Howard, with Daisy Ridley attached to star and was entitled Kolma.
The Graveyard Book
On January 22, 2013, Howard was set to direct the film adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s novel The Graveyard Book for Walt Disney Pictures.But on July 19, 2022, Marc Forster took over directing the movie from Howard.
Mena
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, which eventually became the Doug Liman film American Made, starring Tom Cruise.
The Jungle Book
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.
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair
On April 23, 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., which eventually became the Epix miniseries of the same name.
Tiger & Bunny
On October 9, 2015, Howard and Grazer would co-produce the live-action film adaptation of the anime Tiger & Bunny as a co-production with All Nippon Entertainment Works and Bandai Namco Pictures.But on June 3, 2022, Bandai Namco Holdings confirmed that a live-action English-language TV series will be made without Imagine Entertainment.
The Girl Before
On November 27, 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, which eventually became the TV series of the same name.
Pinocchio
On February 17, 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.
Seveneves
Zelda
On October 21, 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.
The Warehouse
On April 30, 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.
Canary
On June 21, 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.
2020s
The Fixer
On January 10, 2020, Howard was set to direct and produce The Fixer, a political thriller about a failed assassination attempt on Fidel Castro for Paramount Pictures.
Offers
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
According to the AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 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.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty remake
On July 11, 1997, Howard was in talks to direct and produce a new adaptation of James Thurber’s short story "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" through Imagine Entertainment for New Line Cinema, with Jim Carrey attached to star, but made EDtv instead, the project ultimately became the 2013 film directed by Ben Stiller and released by 20th Century Fox.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
In November 2021, while appearing on The Graham Norton Show, Howard revealed he had been approached to direct Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, but rejected the offer, telling Norton that, as he had just completed production on How the Grinch Stole Christmas, he did not want to do another fantasy film.
Be More Chill
On October 20, 2018, it was reported that Howard's Imagine Entertainment was in the running to acquire the film adaptation of Joe Iconis' musical adaptation of the novel Be More Chill, but Shawn Levy and Greg Berlanti acquired the project instead.
See also
References
External links
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