JD Vance's political rhetoric left 'Hillbilly Elegy' director Ron Howard 'surprised and disappointed'.

During the film's development, Howard, a two-time Academy Award winner, remembered that he and Vance did not discuss politics.

JD Vance's political rhetoric left 'Hillbilly Elegy' director Ron Howard 'surprised and disappointed'.
JD Vance's political rhetoric left 'Hillbilly Elegy' director Ron Howard 'surprised and disappointed'.

Ron Howard, director of "Hillbilly Elegy," expressed his disappointment and surprise with JD Vance's political rhetoric after learning about his beliefs.

During the film's development, Howard, a two-time Academy Award winner, remembered that he and Vance did not discuss politics.

At the Toronto International Film Festival, Howard revealed that while filming the movie, we didn't discuss politics much because I was fascinated by his background and the survival story.

He continued, "That’s what we mostly focused on."

"Nevertheless, considering the discussions we had at that time, I must say I'm taken aback and dismayed by the language I'm encountering. It's common for individuals to evolve, but it's been documented."

Bryce Dallas Howard in a bun and low plunging black dress next to father Ron Howard who holds his hand out towards the camera
"Hillbilly Elegy" director Ron Howard told Deadline that he was "very surprised and disappointed" by GOP vice presidential nominee JD Vance’s political rhetoric after not knowing about the candidate’s political beliefs. He’s seen here with daughter Bryce Dallas Howard. (Christie Goodwin/Redferns/Getty Images)

"Hillbilly Elegy" was released in November 2020 on Netflix.

The film depicts the journey of a boy from a modest Appalachian town to Yale Law School, as portrayed in the memoir "Hillibilly Elegy" by J.D. Vance, which was published in 2016 and reached the top of the New York Times Bestseller list.

The movie starred Amy Adams, Glenn Close and Gabriel Basso.

In the 2022 Midterm elections, Vance, a venture capitalist, author, and politician, emerged victorious over his Democratic opponent, Tim Ryan, in Ohio's Senate race.

Ron Howard
"We didn’t talk a lot of politics when we were making the movie because I was interested in his upbringing and that survival tale," Howard said. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Vance never mentioned his political views, as Howard doubled down. However, it appears that the Ohio senator and former President Donald Trump's running mate has changed his stance.

At the time I knew him, he wasn't involved in politics and didn't seem particularly interested, Howard stated.

Vance has faced criticism for a 2021 remark he made about the country being run by "childless cat ladies" and Democrats and corporate oligarchs.

The senator claims that the statement was misconstrued.

Since Vance was chosen as Trump's 2024 running mate, Democrats have been critical of his comment.

Oprah Winfrey and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg both deemed the statement "offensive" in their respective speeches.

by Joshua Nelson

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