Ask Ron Howard

Submit your question to Ask Ron Howard (189 other responses).

1. Posted by Kate Richardson in NewYork:

   How do you choose the projects you work on?

2. Posted by Michael Weaver in Honolulu:

   Did your experience growing up as a child star help you when your own kids wanted to go into the same field?

3. Posted by Tony Pattel in KualaLumpur:

   You were a child star, a teen star and now, a director. What's the best for you?

4. Posted by alekshy in :

   If (and hopefully) there is an Arrested Development film, are we going to hear the same clever narration that we heard in the show?

5. Posted by Lee Copeland in Chicago,IL:

   Hi Ron,

   I've always been a big fan of yours, and think you're a fine director. Did you fear any backlast from movie goers for support Barack Obama for president?

   Yours truly,
   Lee Copeland

6. Posted by Lee Copeland in Chicago,IL:

   Hi Ron,

   I've always been a big fan of yours, and think you're a fine director. Did you fear any backlash from movie goers for supporting Barack Obama for president?

   Yours truly,
   Lee Copeland

7. Posted by Michael Rowley in MountainView:

   Why don't you shave your head?

8. Posted by Bob Brown in Bend,OR:

   First, thank you in advance for bringing this compelling topic back to the forefront. I can't wait to see the movie. My questions are, how do you see the current state of media relations with high officials and the White House?

9. Posted by Jeff Hoyak in Pequannock,NJ:

   Cinderella Man was one of your best films and one of the great sports movies. Why do you think it was overlooked by audiences and awards?

10. Posted by Juan Nguyen in Stuttgart,Germany:

    Have you ever thought of shooting a film about an idea that you have since your childhood?

11. Posted by Collin Kaiser in Denver:

    What do you miss more: The Andy Griffith Show or Happy Days?

12. Posted by keith hudson in tucson,arizona:

    You have had such a diverse and challenging career- acting, directing, producing- what has been your most challenging task and what have you found to be your passion?

13. Posted by Sarah in Austin:

    Do you think there is an artistic level you have yet to reach?

14. Posted by chris gledhill in kankakee:

    Would you ever get into acting again if a special role came your way?

15. Posted by Frank Pennisi in Bayside,NY:

    You have tackled a lot of different subjects in your various films. Is there any one genre or subject that have wanted to make a movie about, but it hasn't worked for some reason or another?

16. Posted by Sarah in Austin:

    What is a true story you would like to make into a movie?

17. Posted by Bert Zimmer in Muskegon:

    Ron,.... is it true that you lived in Duncan OK for a while? I was an engineer at the Westran Steel plan on the north side of Duncan for a few years. I also heard that you were into riding bikes long distance in Texas is that true? I rode across the state of Michigan in less than eight hours. When are you going to produce a new American Graffiti Movie I loved that move it was one of the best you made? Back in the day I had a 450 plus horsepower 1964 Nova that was fast on the street like the 55 Chevy in American Graffiti I could play the part of an Older drag racer from that time I would love it!!! So how about it let's make the movie! I hope to hear from you soon one of your loyal fans!.........Bert

18. Posted by Alex Robinson in stilwell,kansas:

    as a child, what did you want to be when you grew up, and how did you end up as an actor?

19. Posted by Nikolai Curtis in Atlanta,GA:

    When casting for the films "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels & Demons" why did you ultimately choose Tom Ranks? You seem to have a good history with him but he seems like a poor choice for the role because he seemed uncomfortable in the first film. If you were to choose another actor for the role, one who would emulate the actual character in terms of poise and athleticism, who would you choose?

20. Posted by Michael Kaplan in EagleRiver:

    How is your relationship with your brother Clint? Why has he not had a more prominent role in any of your movies? Will he in the future?

21. Posted by Dick Houghton in Massapequa,NY:

    Hello Ron,

    When you work on a film do you storyboard the film completely as Hitchcock had done in his films or do you also like to have an extemporaneous element and allow actors to react to the moment?

    Also, who among the great American directors such as Ford and Capra have you most modeled your selection of projects after?

22. Posted by J.B. Clanton in Langley,OK:

    Have you considered doing a Mayberry prequil, showing Andy as a young boy, growing up in Mayberry, learning about life from his parents, the people in the community, and his Aunt Bea? Judging from the popularity of the re-runs, there should be great interest in such a story.

23. Posted by Joe Matz in Tucson:

    Is there going to be an Arrested Development movie? If so when will it come out?

24. Posted by Katie Shagman in Austin:

    What has been the most challenging circumstance of your career and how did you overcome/learn from it?

25. Posted by Jason R. Clarke in brunswickgeorgia:

    Can you tell us what the next project you are considering working on and what advice would you give for those starting out as a child actor?

26. Posted by Justin Sedgwick in Denver,CO:

    Do you think that with the continously advancing technology in film and the growth of independent filmmakers on youtube that creativity and talent will decline from pictures we see in the future?

27. Posted by Jeff Juhnke in Riverside,Ca:

    Mr. Howard,
    When doing the research, and the film itself, was it hard to be objective towards the subject matter, or do you feel you were trying to get across a certain view about former President Nixon?

28. Posted by Rod Gonzalez in Ridgewood,NJ:

    I read in an article written a few years ago, that you (Ron) hosted a weekly basketball game. Do you still play? and would you extend an invitation to a big fan and a fair rebounder (for a middle-aged guy that needs two days to recover from his weekly game).

    Rod from New Jersey

29. Posted by Jonathan Blumhofer in Boston,MA:

    What's the realistic possibility/timeline of an "Arrested Development" feature film? How would you pick up the story after tying up so many plot points in the finale?

30. Posted by mike in chicago:

    will you please do us a favor and do whatever it takes to get Arrested Developement back on TV? Nothing prior to or after it approaches it in comedic genius. TV is just pointless without it.

31. Posted by MAUREEN DI BARI in CANTONMA.:

    MY QUESTION IS I'M A LITTLE OLDER THEN YOU AND I FINALLY FEEL I CAN WRITE, SOMETHING I ALWAYS WANTED TO DO I HAVE ALMOST FINISHED MY FIRST STORY HOW CAN I FIND SOMEONE TO BE HONEST IF IT IS WORTH PUBLISHING BEFORE I SEND IT OF TO PUBLISHING CO.S

    MAUREEN DIBARI

32. Posted by Benjamin Gordon in Teguciglapa,Honduras:

    What do you think helped you most grow as a person that has always been in the eye of the media?

33. Posted by Maggie Crawford in FortSmith,Arkansas:

    Do you still visit with Andy Griffith? and, was he in some sense, like a 2nd father to you?

34. Posted by Stacey Shigaya in Denver,CO:

    What made you decide to make your video with Andy Griffith and Henry Winkler in support of Barack Obama for President?

35. Posted by Dorothy Quinn in Kansascity:

    This has bugged me for so long. The movie may have cost a billion to make, but everytime a drink is served there is no ice. Make fake ice, plastic cubes, anything. Right a way I'm dragged back to reality when I see this. Could you please change this?

36. Posted by Mike DeLuca in SoCal:

    Hi Ron,

    Arrested Development was a great comedy series. Will there be an Arrested Development film? If so can I have a job on set. I am a good AD.

37. Posted by Melba Sibrel in Murfreesboro,TN:

    What do you think folks will say about you one day when you're gone? What do you think your legacy will be?

38. Posted by Debbie Simmons in Buckley:

    Hi Ron,
    Is there something you would love to do that you have not done yet? I mean personally and professionly? Love your work!

39. Posted by Karl Suchman in McKinneyTexas:

    Did you follow the news as a child? And if so, did the events of the day, Kennedy assination, Lunar landing, Apollo 13 and Watergate force you to grow more intraspective?

40. Posted by Jamie Robinson in BlueRidge,Georgia:

    I've always enjoyed your films and grew up on re-runs of the Andy Griffith Show. Is there a film, director or a particular person that inspired you to be a film maker?

41. Posted by Colonel Randall Larsen< USAF (Ret) in AlexandriaVA:

    Ron,

    No one today makes better movies about true stories than you. Why donm't you make one about the eradication of smallpox--the only disease eradicated by human effort. It is arguably the greatest humanitarian and scientific achievement of all-time--but a story unknown to most people.

42. Posted by David Malyn in SaltLakeCity:

    Will you ever act again?

43. Posted by Butch Heetland in Fairmont:

    I grew up watch 'The Andy Griffith Show'....I always wondered what happened to Ma Taylor ???

44. Posted by Baughan Roemer in Charlottesville,VA:

    Did you ever ponder the concept of using the great yet seemingly under-valued talents of Andy Griffith and/or the late Don Knotts in a big screen film project ?

    Thank you sharing your own vast talents & creative efforts over the past 6 decades!!!

45. Posted by Brenna Proczko in St.Paul,MN:

    Have you helped create/produce any television other than the phenomenal and much-missed Arrested Development? Do you feel as much ownership/love for projects like AD as you do for films you've directed? Thanks for creating such a wide breadth of quality work.

46. Posted by Valerie Smith in SanJose,CA:

    Do you foresee a change in the type of movies the general public will want to watch with the economic and political changes facing the country?

47. Posted by Marc Longstreet in WestOlive,MI:

    What do you think the continuing popularity of old sitcoms like "The Andy Griffith Show" says about who we are as a society today?

48. Posted by Francisco Navarro in Caracas,Venezuela:

    Do you intend to participate in the next Arrested Development movie? If so, what will you be doing in it?

49. Posted by Lisa Enright in Walden,NY:

    Given the economy and the cost of making a film, where do you see the movie industry in 25 years?

50. Posted by SEAI LIN in NEWARKVALLEYNEWYORK:

    Hello Mr. Howard,

    I am a single mother of 2. I work everyday to make it through to the next week. I was so proud of my salary when I first got my job. Since I have been in my position I have received 3 raises. Those raises had my head held high and my chest stout with pride. lately;... without luxury spending I have less and less money for my bills. Or just sustain. Just one question, How does it feel to be wealthy? answer in detail for it will brighten my day. A mother may not make it there but a girl can dream. In closing I have always been a fan. Thank you for listening.