Harrison Ford’s Disdain for “Star Wars”
The narrative that Harrison Ford despises “Star Wars,” and the character Han Solo that rocketed him to stardom, has often been circulated. Ford himself has reinforced this, such as when he annihilated a Han Solo figurine during an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
First Impressions of George Lucas’ Script
While filming the original “Star Wars” in 1977, Ford was not particularly impressed with George Lucas’ script. He famously voiced his displeasure with the line, “George! You can write this s***, but you certainly can’t say it!” To clarify, it doesn’t appear that Ford loathes “Star Wars,” but rather, he’s unromantic about it. For him, portraying Han Solo was simply a successful job, nothing more, and he is irritated by the obsessive fans who continue to rehash the past.
Ford’s Unsentimental Attitude Towards “Star Wars”
Ford’s unsentimental attitude was evident in his remarks about participating in “Star Wars” in an interview with Vanity Fair. He stated, “‘Star Wars’ was a huge success, so I was pleased to return and play Han Solo again and again — but that was sufficient. I believed that he had reached his full potential and could further the plot by dying.”
Ford’s View on Fame and Acting
Ford never aimed to be a movie star. Acting is a profession for him, and he doesn’t idolize many of his famous roles, from Han Solo to Rick Deckard in “Blade Runner,” as his fans do. If he thought playing Han Solo was monotonous by “Return of the Jedi” (which is evident onscreen), he likely would’ve been annoyed by his typecasting as an action star.
Ford’s Attempt to Break Typecasting
Ford attempted (and failed) to break his typecasting with Martin Scorsese’s 1991 film “Cape Fear.” The film, a remake of the 1962 thriller featuring Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum, tells the story of lawyer Sam Bowden (portrayed by Nick Nolte). Bowden and his family are tormented by Max Cady (Robert De Niro), a cruel criminal whom Bowden helped imprison years earlier for rape. (Bowden was actually Cady’s defense attorney, but due to his certainty of his client’s guilt, he sabotaged the defense.)
Ford’s Interest in Playing Cady
In a 1997 interview with The Irish Times, Ford revealed that De Niro invited him to play the role of Bowden. However, Ford was only interested if he could play Cady. De Niro was not willing to relinquish the part, so Ford declined to participate in the film.
Conclusion
Despite his iconic roles, Harrison Ford maintains an unsentimental approach to his work. He views acting as a job rather than a pedestal for fame. His frustration with typecasting and obsessive fans is evident, yet his performances remain admired by many.
FAQs
Why does Harrison Ford dislike Star Wars?
It’s not that he dislikes Star Wars, but rather he views his role as Han Solo as just a successful job. He has expressed frustration with obsessive fans who insist on continually discussing the past.
What was Harrison Ford’s opinion on the Star Wars script?
While filming the original Star Wars in 1977, Ford was not particularly impressed with George Lucas’ script and voiced his displeasure.
Did Harrison Ford try to break his typecasting?
Yes, Ford attempted to break his typecasting with Martin Scorsese’s 1991 movie “Cape Fear,” but he was unsuccessful.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
