The Andy Griffith show/Star Wars Ron Howard connection

The young kid, Opie, in the Andy Griffith show was played by Ron Howard.



Ron Howard grew up and played Ritchie on Happy Days.

The Happy Days show was approved greatly because of the success of American Graffiti.
American Graffiti was directed by George Lucas, and it starred Ron Howard also.
In the same movie, Lucas gave a carpenter, part-time actor, Harrison Ford a role as a hot-rod driver.
Lucas spoke with Howard about the space opera he was working on.

Lucas then  tried to direct a Flash Gordon movie--but King's Features wanted too much. Lucas created his own Sci-Fi epic. That first movie, is heavily based on the great Kurosawa classic, the Hidden Fortress (don't believe me--check it out--the two bumbling thieves are the droids in the first Star Wars movie).

Star Wars was released in 1977.

Ron went on to direct the Si-Fi story Cocoon. At Skywalker Ranch, Lucas offered him a movie to direct.

The directors of the stand alone Han Solo movie have been fired, even though the movie is basically completed--Lucas Film claims 3/4 done. Now, Howard is the new director on the Han Solo movie.





Apparently, Howard was also offered to direct the Phantom menace long ago as well.

It should be noted that Ron Howard directed Willow, a movie produced and conceived by Lucas. Willow showcased Warwick Davis, a Star Wars alum.

Another connection: Ron Howard directed Grand Theft Auto, released in 1977 (same as Star Wars), starring Ron Howard, it features cars--a favorite subject of George Lucas.



Further, Robert Englund, of Freddy Krueger fame, auditioned for Luke Skywalker and did not get the part, but encouraged Hamill to audition.


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