Harrison Ford Says ‘No One’ Can Play Indiana Jones, Not Even Chris Pratt
Harrison Ford is a Hollywood legend. From Star Wars to The Fugitive, the actor has been in some of the most popular films ever made. But his role as the adventurous, whip-yielding hero in the Indiana Jones movie series is undoubtedly his most iconic. Chris Pratt was rumored to take over the role for the upcoming fifth installment of the series, but when Harrison Ford was asked if someone else could play Indiana Jones, he flat out vetoed the idea.
The ‘Indiana Jones’ legacy
Harrison Ford was already known for his role as Hans Solo in Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back when he took the lead role in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981. Created by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, the adventure film became one of the highest-grossing films ever made (after adjusting for inflation). It earned nine Academy Award nominations and five wins, including Best Sound and Best Art Direction.
After the success of Raiders of the Lost Ark, filmmakers went on to produce three more films with Ford in the titular role. A prequel, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was released in 1984, and the sequel Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade premiered in 1989.
Nearly 20 years later, in 2008, Ford reprised the role in the fourth installment of the series, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. In the movie, Shia LaBeouf played Indiana Jone’s estranged son, Mutt Williams.
Combined, all four Indiana Jones films grossed nearly $2 billion worldwide, making it one of Ford’s most successful career projects to date.
Chris Pratt was rumored to take Ford’s place in the franchise
Indiana Jones 5 has been in the works for a few years now. Back in 2016, Walt Disney Studios gave it movie the official green light and announced that both Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford were on board for the project. But soon after, rumors swirled that Chris Pratt was being eyed for the lead role.
In an interview with RTE, Pratt dismissed the idea. “There was speculation around whether or not I would do Indiana Jones,” he said. “But there’s no more information about that now than there was before.”
Harrison Ford says the role of Indy will die with him
With all the other projects Harrison Ford has been juggling the last few years, people weren’t sure if he was interested in doing another Indiana Jones film. But in a 2019 interview with the Today show, when Ford was asked about who he’d like to see take his place, the actor shot down the idea.
“Nobody is gonna be Indiana Jones!” Ford said on the Today show. “Don’t you get it? I’m Indiana Jones. When I’m gone, he’s gone. It’s easy.”
Today Show
“This is a hell of a way to tell Chris Pine this,” the actor added with a laugh, mistaking Chris Pratt for Chris Pine. “I’m sorry, man.” In a follow-up interview with Access Hollywood, when Ford was asked if he was serious about his comments, he confirmed that he meant what he said.
Harrison Ford starts filming ‘Indiana Jones 5’ this summer
On a recent episode of Ellen, Harrison Ford confirmed that Indiana Jones 5 is happening and that he’s going to start filming later this summer. He didn’t discuss any details about the film, but when talking to IGN recently, Ford did note that he really likes the script and where his character’s story is headed.
“Well, I’m not going to share the story with you because that doesn’t seem like a good idea,” Ford told IGN. “But we’ll see new developments in his life, his relationship. We’ll see part of his history resolved.”
As filming begins later this year, more details about the movie should be revealed. But for now, fans can take comfort in knowing that no one other than Ford will play the iconic hero.
