Editor’s Note: Spoilers ahead for The Studio
Who knew throwing a baseball hat at a panic-strickenSeth Rogencould be so cinematic? Episode 3 ofThe Studio, “The Missing Reel,” is once againan excruciatingly hilarious watch. It highlights just how hard it is to deal with artists in an industry that cares more about bucks than art. Legendary directorRon Howardmakes a cameo appearance in the latest episode, and it’s comedic gold.The Studio,created by Rogen and longtime creative partnerEvan Goldberg, alongsidePeter Huyck,Alex Gregory, andFrida Perez, showcases the team’s commitment to authentically portraying Hollywood. Their dedication is reflected in all the jaw-dropping cameos they’ve been able to secure, from Howard toMartin Scorsese. With Howard’s performance, it’s a nostalgic reminder of when he was a force of nature as an actor in the film and television industry.
Howard began his career as a child actor, then transitioned to starring in teen films, all before he was a director. Hailing from Hollywood royalty, his father was directorRance Howard, and his daughter is actressBryce Dallas Howard. Beginning to direct in the ’80s, he’s gone on to win two Academy Awards, seven Emmys, two Golden Globes, and a Grammy Award. Winning his Academy Award forA Beautiful Mind,The Studiofinds Howard back in Hollywood with a brand-new film that is way too long. It creates conflict with the studio and makes for a slow-burning episode of anxiety.Howard gives a crackling performance by delivering an explosive breakdown, and it’s the perfect argument for why he should return to acting.
What is ‘The Studio’ About?
Seth Rogen stars as newly appointed studio head Matt Remick, who misses the days when films were made for art, not money. Unfortunately, these days, that’s not the case, thanks to the money-oriented CEO, Griffin Mill (Bryan Cranston). What follows are extremely stressful days of visiting sets, denying Martin Scorsesethe opportunity to make his dream film, and telling director Ron Howard, his film is too long.Ike Barinholtzplays Matt’s right-hand man and executive, Sal Salperstein, and very theatricalKathyrn Hahnplays marketing head, Maya Mason. A fieryCatherine O’Haraplays former studio head Patty Leigh, who remains Matt’s mentor despite getting fired. Each day gets more brutal for Matt as he compromises his dreams of making great films for box office hits instead, as he deals with catastrophes in wild, Hollywood fashion.
Ron Howard Returns to His Acting Roots and Stars as Himself in ‘The Studio’
Howard began his career in acting long before he became an acclaimed director. He became a household name asa child actor inThe Andy Griffith Show, playing Opie. He followed up with one of his greatest performances in the coming-of-age classic,American Graffiti. Directed byGeorge Lucas, it’s known as one of the best high school movies ever made. Howard stars as a sensitive teenager in love, Steven, and brings an earnest essence to the role that makes the film memorable. But, one of his best acting roles doesn’t even have him featured on camera. Instead, it’s just his recognizable, one-of-a-kind voice. Howard’s cheerful cadence and happy timbremade him the perfect fit to be the narrator for the 2000s Fox comedy series,Arrested Development.With impeccable comedic timing, he provides the fast-paced show its rhythm with his quick jabs and one-liners. Similarly toThe Studio, he fits right into the high-speed environment where punch lines are delivered at a mile a minute.
The 10 Best Performances in Ron Howard Movies, Ranked
10 Best Performances in Ron Howard Movies, Ranked
Howard has always brought a sensitivity and vulnerability to his acting roles. That vulnerability is what makes it so hard for studio head Matt to tell him he had to cut the last part of his new film.Dave FrancoandAnthony Mackiemake cameos as themselves in Howard’s film, and Mackie, along with everyone at the studio, coddles a sweet-spirited Howard. They’re all too afraid to break the heart of the man who is known as one of “the nicest guys in Hollywood,” and Howard plays into that with an over-the-top smile and warm persona. Howard is a natural and fits right in with comedians Rogen, Hahn,and Barinholtz.
The entire episode is built upon Howard’s inevitable tantrumonce Matt finally gets the courage to tell him to cut the last part of the movie. The kicker to why it’s so sensitive to cut the last act is that it’s based on the death of a fictional cousin of Howard’s when they were kids. Howard performs an excellent satire of a forlorn director, making fun of self-indulgent, fragile artists.
Ron Howard Improvised His Wild Attack on Seth Rogen in ‘The Studio’
When the moment comes for Howard to go off the rails, he more than delivers. Howard gleefully makes fun of Matt at the studio meeting for giving what he called the worst note he’s ever received for his film,A Beautiful Mind. Matt then erupts into a furious rage and screams at Howard to cut the film down, and belittles him in the process.Howard immediately discards his sweet persona and becomes a vicious, angry artist, spewing spit and rage. He launches his hat at Matt, which once again causes another hilarious fall by Rogen onto a glass cart, which will hopefully continue as a gimmick this season. It’s here that Howard’s roots as an intuitive actor jump out. Letting his physical instincts take over, he looks like a wild animal as he tries to fight Matt while Sal holds him back.The chef’s kiss, though, remains Howard chucking his hat at Rogen. As it turns out, in true director fashion, the throwing of the hat was Howard’s improvisational idea.
Speaking to PEOPLE magazineabout the chaotic fight scene in the episode, Rogen revealed: “It was his idea to throw his patented Imagine hat at me, which I thought was a true stroke of genius… For him to weaponize his trademark look was a really miraculously funny idea. He worked really hard on the performance and the role, and yeah, he was very impressive.”
Howard’s building snap is what carries the episode through to its end, andis an argument for why people should remember what a fantastic actor he is.He fills the screen with excruciating tension, and masterfully delivers a caricature of a Hollywood director. It’s admirable how unafraid he is of making fun of himself, and it’s his greatest acting role in some time. With this cameo, along with his delightful appearance as himself in Season 4 ofOnly Murders in the Building,The Studiomakes the ultimate case for why he should return to acting.
All episodes ofThe Studioare available to watch on Apple TV+
The Studio
