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Ron Howard says when he initially tried to sell Splash — his 1984 film about a man who falls in love with a mermaid who saved him from drowning — many film studios had one key issue: the mermaid.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the 71-year-old director said, “When we were trying to sell Splash, [producer] Brian Grazer and I, we were going to every studio, they were all turning us down, and one said, ‘Does it really have to be a mermaid?’ ”
Howard continued: “We didn’t go with that company. We decided, yeah, it really should be a mermaid.”
The film — starring Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah — was a commercial success and nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Buena Vista Pictures/ Courtesy Everett Collection
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Howard has directed Hanks in five films, including three from The Da Vinci Code series, along with Splash and Apollo 13.
In a 2024 interview with PEOPLE, the director said he doesn’t often reflect on his own portfolio — and hasn’t seen Splash in some time.
“Frankly, I don’t go back and watch my movies, so it’s been a long time since I’ve seen [Splash],” Howard said when asked about scenes from the 40-year-old film he feels are underrated.
More recently, the acclaimed director spoke about his recent acting nomination for the 2025 Emmy Awards, which came for the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series category for his role in Apple TV+’s satirical comedy series The Studio.
Speaking to PEOPLE about his 14th Primetime Emmys nod, Howard said, ”I’m getting a kick out of it.”
“I play an a—— version of myself,” Howard added. “Apparently, it went over. I have many noms and even some wins on the producing and directing side, but first nom as an actor, which is kind of funny.
