Ron Howard Award for Best Director), "Cinderella Man", "The Da Vinci Code", "Angels & Demons", "Rush", "In the Heart of the Sea" and "Inferno". Howard showcased the world premiere of his film "Frost/Nixon" at the 2008 London Film Festival in October 2008. Howard was the recipient of the Austin Film Festival's 2009 Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking Award. Michael Keaton presented him with the Award. Howard took over directing duties on "", a film featuring "Star Wars" character Han Solo in his younger years. The film was released on May 23, 2018. Howard officially replaced directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller on June
Michael Sheen performance while "The Wall Street Journal" felt he was "a brilliant actor" who "grows his character from a bright-eyed social butterfly to a gimlet-eyed interrogator". However, "The New York Times" felt "the likable, watchable Mr. Sheen has been pitted against a scene-stealer" in Frank Langella's Nixon. Frost himself later said it was "a wonderful performance". Sheen was the recipient of the Variety Award at the British Independent Film Awards 2008., while Langella was nominated for an Academy Award. 2009 saw Sheen portray another public figure; he starred in "The Damned United" as the outspoken football manager Brian Clough. The Tom