Ron Howard has found himself a new golden boy. A position also held by Tom Hanks, it would appear Russell Crowe has won a special place in "Opie's" heart. The actor/director pair are looking to team up again for what would become their third film together in less than five years. The first, which earned Crowe an Oscar nod and Howard an Academy Award, was the smashingly successful A Beautiful Mind. and their second, this year's Cinderella Man, holds real promise as a knock-out contender, all puns intended. Up next? The Power of Duff.

While it's hard to resist the temptation to suggest the film will be a live action "Simpson's" movie about Homer buying into his favorite beer franchise, the plot to The Power of Duff has more of a Flanders feel to it. The story will circulate around a news anchorman who, so stricken over his father's recent passing, takes to praying at the end of each newscast. When his prayers begin receiving hefty affirmative responses from on high, the man becomes a huge religious icon.

Filmstew.com reports that the script has already been secured and Howard is set to team up with long time collaborator Brian Grazer as producer. Crowe will no doubt be playing Duff. No release date for the film is available, or even a film start date for that matter. Howard is still busy with Tom Hanks and the Mona Lisa for his next big movie The Da Vinci Code, which is set to debut next year.