Ron Howard Reveals Tom Hanks' Early 'Splash' Struggles

Director Ron Howard recently shared insights into Tom Hanks' performance during the filming of the 1984 movie 'Splash.' Howard explained that Hanks, then primarily known for comedy, was initially trying too hard to be funny during read-throughs. Howard directed Hanks to focus on portraying the character's love, stating that the humor would come naturally and that the emotional core was paramount for the film's success.

Hanks recalled feeling pressure and Howard's advice was blunt: 'We won't have a movie if you do that.' The director emphasized that Hanks' role was to fall in love, not to compete with comedic co-stars like Eugene Levy and John Candy. Despite this guidance, Howard later incorporated several of Hanks' improvisations in the editing room, including a memorable 'Mr. Mango' bit.

This experience marked a significant early lesson for Hanks in film acting. Both Howard and Hanks have since spoken about their mutual respect, leading to subsequent collaborations on films like 'Apollo 13' and 'The Da Vinci Code.' Howard believes his strength as a director lies in drawing out desired performances while allowing actors room for their instincts.