Ron Howard admitted he felt a wave of nerves while working on his latest film Eden. 

The Oscar winning director, known for movies such as Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind, revealed that this project took him into unfamiliar territory and described it as a “big creative risk.”

Speaking at a Cinema Society screening in New York City, 71 year old said that most of his work had a celebratory tone but Eden was different. 

He explained that it was a cautionary story, a true crime thriller that he felt proud to bring to life.

The film told the story of European settlers who tried to build a new life on Floreana in the Galápagos Islands. 

Instead of nature being their greatest challenge, the danger came from within the group itself. The movie featured Jude Law, Sydney Sweeney and Ana de Armas in leading roles.

Howard said he first came across the story during a family holiday about fifteen years ago when he visited a Galápagos museum. 

One room was dedicated to the events and it fascinated him so much that he began writing a movie outline on his BlackBerry that very night.

Alongside Eden, Howard reflected on an eventful personal year, as he celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary, the 40th year of Imagine Entertainment with Brian Grazer and received an Emmy nomination. 

Looking back, he credited his parents for teaching him respect for storytelling and said he never took his career for granted.

The New York premiere drew a crowd that included Gayle King, Keegan Michael Key and Gina Gershon.