SUBMITTED BY Timbo

November 10, 2003 — Even though "The Missing" is Ron Howard's first foray into the world of Westerns, he has been a fan of the genre for quite a while.

Before stepping behind the camera, Howard was an actor and one of his early big screen appearances was opposite John Wayne in 1976's "The Shootist." He is best known for his television roles, Opie Taylor on "The Andy Griffith Show" in the 1960s and Richie Cunningham on "Happy Days" in the 1970s.

Howard also was set to direct the upcoming film "The Alamo" but backed out after budget and creative disputes.

"Every time we are about to renew our contracts, Ron brings up a Western," said Brian Grazer, Howard's longtime producing partner at Imagine Entertainment. "I always say, 'OK, OK.' But I never thought he'd actually do one."

Read the article at the link below.