“He also has the nice gene”: Ron Howard once named his heir apparent, and the feeling is mutual
Does the world really need another Ron Howard? More to the point, is the world ready for another Ron Howard? Two completely different questions, two completely different and equally complex answers.
One Ron Howard is probably enough, since the industry isn’t crying out for more safe pairs of hands in a time where the mid-to-high budget, geared towards the mainstream, and often entertaining enough, but never remotely thought-provoking or boundary-pushing blockbuster fare that he specialises in, is more homogenised than ever.
Hollywood may not be prepared for another Ron Howard, either, since his pathway is fascinatingly unique. He started off as a child actor, carried that success into his teens and early 20s, before deciding that he didn’t want to be in front of the cameras anymore, reinventing himself as a two-time Academy Award winner and one of the highest-grossing directors in cinema history.
He may not be the most dynamic, daring, or visually arresting filmmaker in the business, but he’s a success story and proof that abandoning one career in favour of another can pay huge dividends, regardless of the risk. There aren’t many who’ve walked a similar path, but it is fitting that his anointed heir apparent has travelled at least a few miles in Howard’s shoes.
Reflecting on his aversion to playing characters, although he remains happy to pop up as himself as and when required, the Backdraft and Da Vinci Code architect admitted he “felt rusty” when he swapped the recording booth for the set and appeared in eight episodes of Arrested Development, admitting he was glad that Jason Bateman was there to ease him back into performing.
“He also has the ‘nice’ gene,” Howard added, which is like getting a knighthood from the nicest guy in Tinseltown. Fortunately, Bateman wouldn’t dream of declining the honour, since he’s acknowledged that if there was one person’s career he’s based his own professional life on and he’s always dreamed of emulating, it just so happens to be Ron Howard.
Before their paths had crossed on Arrested Development, Bateman admired the Happy Days alum’s “famous, kind, affable, engaging, almost eager persona,” realising that “there’s no way anybody would ever misinterpret that kindness for weakness.” He’d found his blueprint, and he was ready to step into the breach.
Of course, there are many similarities between the two. Bateman also kicked off his career as a child star, but unlike Howard, he struggled making the transition into adult roles and battled alcohol and drug issues. He also segued into directing, but he’s only helmed two features at the age of 57, whereas his inspiration had notched 21 by that age. Still, that’s a bit like splitting hairs when the Ozark favourite has been as prolific in front of the camera as Howard has been sparse.
Bateman is a much better actor than Howard ever was, although that obviously comes with practice, and he’s yet to truly prove himself as a filmmaker, but there have been flashes of potential greatness. If there is such a thing as the second coming of Ron Howard, though, you could definitely do a lot worse.
