Ron Howard’s Lingering Regret: Hoping to Reunite With Michael Keaton
Ron Howard opens up about his wish to work with Michael Keaton again, reflecting on their past collaborations and the rare regret that still follows him after decades in Hollywood.
Directors often talk about actors they’d love to work with again, but for some, making it happen isn’t as simple as it sounds. Despite his long-standing influence in Hollywood, Ron Howard still feels the sting of missing out on a reunion with one particular star. While some actors are off the table—Bill Murray, for instance, is famously not a fan of Howard, and their mutual dislike has kept them apart for years—there’s one former collaborator Howard genuinely misses.
Howard’s career has spanned decades, and he’s built an impressive roster of co-stars. Few can claim to have shared sets with the likes of John Wayne, Sydney Sweeney, Bette Davis, Kevin James, Henry Fonda, Warwick Davis, George Lucas, and Donnie Wahlberg. He’s also worked repeatedly with family members and Hollywood heavyweights like Tom Hanks, Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, and Chris Hemsworth. Yet, among all these names, there’s one actor whose absence from Howard’s recent projects stands out.
Michael Keaton: The One That Got Away
Back in the day, it seemed like Ron Howard and Michael Keaton were on track to become a regular team. Keaton first appeared alongside Henry Winkler in "Night Shift," then took the lead in "Gung Ho" and "The Paper." These films marked three collaborations in Howard’s first nine features, suggesting a partnership that could have lasted. But after "The Paper," their paths never crossed again on set.
At a ceremony honoring his second star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Howard reflected on his career and the rare regrets he carries.
“I’ve been so lucky in this business, I’ve worked with so many great people,”
he said.
“I have so few regrets, practically none of them.”
Then he admitted,
“One of them is just only that it’s been far too long since Michael and I made a movie together. So I’m hoping to rectify that sooner rather than later.”
Missed Chances and Hopes for the Future
It’s not as if Howard hasn’t had the chance to bring Keaton back into the fold. Since "The Paper," he’s directed 18 more films, and Keaton has remained a prominent figure in the industry. There have been plenty of opportunities for a reunion, whether in a leading or supporting role. Still, for reasons neither has fully explained, it just hasn’t happened.
Both men continue to stay active in their fields, showing no signs of slowing down. With Howard’s ongoing projects and Keaton’s enduring presence, the door remains open for them to work together again. Sometimes, all it takes is a single phone call to make movie magic happen once more.