Ron Howard Reveals the Film He Wishes He Never Directed
Ron Howard opens up about his biggest directorial regret, reflecting on the fallout from Hillbilly Elegy and how its unexpected political ties made him wish he’d never taken on the project.
Few filmmakers in Hollywood can claim a career as enduring and respected as Ron Howard’s. From his early days as a child actor to his celebrated work behind the camera, Howard has built a reputation for professionalism and kindness that’s rare in the industry. While many in his position might look back with a laundry list of regrets, Howard has always seemed to keep a positive outlook—though even he admits there are a few projects he’d rather forget.
Looking Back on Missteps
Howard isn’t one to sugarcoat his past choices. He’s been candid about films that didn’t quite hit the mark, like The Dilemma, which he later described as “tone-deaf” in its execution. He also dodged a major misstep by stepping away from directing The Dark Tower, though he still calls his involvement a mistake after the film ’s disappointing box office run. There are a couple of unmade movies that still linger in his mind, and he’s spoken about missing the chance to work with Jack Nicholson. But for the most part, Howard’s regrets are few and far between.
The Hillbilly Elegy Dilemma
One project, however, stands out as a sore spot: Hillbilly Elegy. Widely panned by critics and audiences alike, the film has become synonymous with the low point of Howard’s directing career. Since its release in November 2020, Howard has found himself fielding questions about the film’s subject, JD Vance, who later went on to win a seat in the U.S. Senate. The biopic, which starred Gabriel Basso and featured a much-discussed performance by Glenn Close, quickly became a lightning rod for controversy.
Reflecting on the experience, Howard told The Financial Times,
“The journalists saw something coming I didn’t; JD running for Senate. If I’d realised that too, I wouldn’t have pursued the project. Because it was unavoidably going to be politicised. I did ask JD about running for office, and he didn’t seem interested.”
Howard now believes he was misled, as Vance had already hinted at political ambitions before the film’s production even began.
Unintended Consequences
Even if the story hadn’t centered on such a polarizing figure, many viewers felt the film simply didn’t work. Howard can’t change the past, and unless he directs something even less well-received, Hillbilly Elegy will likely remain the blemish on his otherwise impressive filmography. The experience has left him more cautious about the projects he chooses, especially when it comes to stories that could become political flashpoints.