The making of The Da Vinci Code may have been filled with suspense on screen, but behind the scenes, it had its fair share of comedic moments. Director Ron Howard recently shared a particularly funny memory involving Tom Hanks and one of the world’s most famous paintings — Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
A Costume Change in the Louvre
Speaking at a Happy Days reunion event at MegaCon Orlando, Howard revealed that while filming on location at the Louvre in Paris, the production was running behind schedule. The crew had all their equipment set up in the Mona Lisa room when Hanks suddenly needed to change for the next scene. With no time to return to his dressing room, the actor simply swapped his pants right there — under the watchful gaze of da Vinci’s masterpiece.
"I was giving him some notes about what the next scene was going to be, and he was changing his pants in front of the Mona Lisa," Howard recalled. "I said, 'Wait a minute. This is a moment we have to remember.'"
Hanks’ Unusual Filming Locations
Howard, who has directed Hanks in five films, including Apollo 13 and Splash, reflected on the unusual places the actor has found himself while filming. "We've been under the water with the mermaid, we've been weightless with Apollo 13, and now you're pants-less with the Mona Lisa," he joked.
In addition to reminiscing about his long history with Hanks, Howard also discussed his early start in Hollywood. Though he began as a child actor, he quickly realized that his passion lay behind the camera. "I always liked acting, but very early on, I was drawn to directing," he said.
Howard, who has helmed three films from The Da Vinci Code franchise, also shared that he rarely re-watches his own movies. "Frankly, I don't go back and watch my movies, so it's been a long time since I've seen Splash," he admitted.
With decades of Hollywood experience and countless collaborations with Hanks, Howard’s behind-the-scenes stories continue to entertain, proving that even high-stakes thrillers can have moments of unexpected comedy.
