Many of us have grown up with Ron Howard, from his Opie days on "The Andy Griffith Show" through "Happy Days," "Arrested Development," his directing career and more. Yes, he's an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, but he's also Opie, and Richie, and Steve from "American Graffiti," and that guy from that one "Love, American Style" episode. Many directors are just names to most of us, but Howard is a face, a voice and a life.
So when it was announced Thursday that he'd be directing the Han Solo solo film, after Phil Lord and Christopher Miller's departure, it kinda felt like Lucasfilm had handed the directing reins over to everyone's little brother.
Naturally, Happy Days came to social media snarksters, right up until the joke jumped the shark.
I have some concerns about Ron Howard's suggested changes pic.twitter.com/2QVVFTpP5T
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) June 22, 2017
— Chris Schiffmann (@Cshifty) June 22, 2017
There were "Arrested Development" jokes...
Me: "It's true. All of it."
— Bad Father Han Solo (@BadFatherHan) June 22, 2017
Ron Howard Narrator: "It wasn't." pic.twitter.com/54VxTzgIlp
Darth Vader: "Han, I am your father."
— Mr. Jackpots (@changingmyplea) June 22, 2017
Ron Howard voice: "He wasn't."
Phil Lord and Chris Miller: It's so nice how we're in charge of our own Star Wars movie.
— Jackson McHenry (@McHenryJD) June 22, 2017
[Ron Howard voice]: They weren't https://t.co/22059PoFaO
Han Solo: "I made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs."
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) June 22, 2017
Ron Howard voiceover: "He didn't."
If Ron Howard directs 'Han Solo,' I need him to also narrate it Arrested Development-style. pic.twitter.com/CvaYC4eXRI
— Carlin! (@nerdlunch) June 21, 2017
LUKE SKYWALKER: "I got him! I got him!"
— Josh Billinson (@jbillinson) June 22, 2017
HAN SOLO: "Great, kid. Don't get cocky."
NARRATOR: "He did get cocky." https://t.co/xH4DkjH8kn
I think we reached peak "Ron Howard Narrates" jokes.
— Anthony (@anthonytaylor_) June 22, 2017
Ron Howard Narrating: They hadn't.
Disney, to Ron Howard: "Here's some money. Go direct a Star War." pic.twitter.com/gDHYFdm5GR
— Josh Kurp (@JoshKurp) June 22, 2017
*ukulele music*
— Da7e Gonzales (@Da7e) June 22, 2017
Ron Howard: Now the story of a wayward smuggler lost amongst the stars... pic.twitter.com/Ch23EN0WAh
Here is a quick preview of Ron Howard's previous work with #starwars.
— Red T Raccoon (@RedTRaccoon) June 22, 2017
Will Michael Cera get a role in the Hans Solo movie?@RealRonHoward pic.twitter.com/NzUcaamuJC
"Happy Days" jokes...
#Breaking Ron Howard will digitally de-age Henry Winkler to play Han Solo's brother, Fonz Solo. pic.twitter.com/9jdX21llOf
— The Studio Exec (@studioexec1) June 22, 2017
Ron Howard is talking over directing #HanSolo
— collie ennis (@collieennis) June 22, 2017
Happy Days!!! pic.twitter.com/SmNEYFqEtY
Ron Howard? Happy days! #HanSolo pic.twitter.com/mNDl8Yvbpv
— Chris J. Allan (@chrisjallan) June 22, 2017
I can think of no one better than Richie Cunningham to take over a story that's basically the Fonz in space. #RonHoward #HanSolo
— Baz McAlister (@bazmcalister) June 22, 2017
At some point in the film, someone has to turn to young Han and exclaim, "You're such a Potsie!" Otherwise, what's the point... https://t.co/S3FgmKcA9y
— Anthony Sacramone (@amsacramone) June 22, 2017
And "Andy Griffith Show" jokes.
Opie Taylor, Sith Lord. #RonHoward
— Jared Canfield (@JaredCanfield) June 22, 2017
Did Disney come to Ron Howard and plead, "Help us, Opie Wan Kenobi!" Ha ha ha... (gets pushed off footbridge by Kylo Ren, dies, deservedly).
— Frank Conniff (@FrankConniff) June 22, 2017
tfw you gotta swing in and finish a 75% done Star Wars movie and you still hate Aunt Bee's pickles pic.twitter.com/N6O02ma8j0
— Joe Fourhman (@fourhman) June 22, 2017
Ron Howard: "Hold my beer, Aunt Bee. I got this." #HanSolo
— Sandy Sternshein (@mindfuljogger) June 22, 2017
Richie, er, Opie, er, Howard is reportedly getting right down to work. The Hollywood Reporter says he "is considered to be a safe choice to complete the task, someone who will ably finish the movie while being a calming presence on set."
The Han Solo movie stars Alden Ehrenreich, Donald Glover, Woody Harrelson, Thandie Newton and Emilia Clarke, and is scheduled for release in May 2018.
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