Steven Spielberg is undoubtedly one of the master filmmakers currently working today. The director has been working since the 70s and is one of the most versatile filmmakers in the industry. He has dabbled in every genre of film with great conviction. His work in the sci-fi space especially has stayed in the hearts and minds of fans to this day.
The director pushed boundaries with what could be achieved in filmmaking with films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, and Jurassic Park. The latter is one of the most groundbreaking and influential films ever made. One might be surprised to know that Harrison Ford was the first choice for the role of Dr. Alan Grant, but the actor turned it down.
Not Sam Neill, Harrison Ford Was Steven Spielberg’s First Choice For Alan Grant in Jurassic Park
Steven Spielberg was already a huge name by the 90s and had made brilliant films after another. The filmmaker juggled various genres and was very bold in the films he directed. Making something like Close Encounters of the Third Kind in the 70s, very early in his career, signaled that Spielberg was not in the business of making safe films.
1993’s Jurassic Park blew the minds of audiences and pushed the limits of sci-fi storytelling to a whole new level. The incredible effects of the film still hold up to this day, and stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum made the film glorious and narratively engaging. However, Spielberg had another actor in mind for the lead role of paleontologist Alan Grant, who was played by Neill in the film.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Spielberg stated that he originally envisioned his Indiana Jones lead Harrison Ford in the role of Alan. He had even gone to the art department to do a photorealistic painting of a T-Rex chasing Ford and two kids as concept art. When the director sent the script of the film and the art to Ford, the actor instantly turned it down, claiming that the role was not for him. Spielberg said,
Sam does a phenomenal job, but my first choice was Harrison. I went to the art department, and I had them do a photorealistic painting of the T. rex chasing Harrison with two kids and put Harrison’s face on the character of the archaeologist, and sent the script, the book, and the picture to Harrison. The next day I got a call, and he said, ‘This is not for me, pal.’ That was the end of the conversation.
Neill has become so iconic in the role of Alan Grant that it is a bit difficult to see other actors playing the role as well as him. However, it would have been interesting to have seen how Ford would have played the part. Ford and Spielberg never collaborated beyond the Indiana Jones franchise, and thus, it would have been a refreshing collaboration if they had done Jurassic Park together.
Steven Spielberg Had the Best Experience Working With a Young Christian Bale
Steven Spielberg gave Christian Bale his big break at the age of 13 with 1987’s Empire of the Sun. Bale played a kid who became a prisoner of war and is held in a camp ruled by the Japanese during WWII. Spielberg recalled his experiences working with the young actor at the time.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Spielberg stated that Bale was very attentive as an actor and invested spiritually and consciously in his character. The process of working with him became Spielberg’s best one with a young actor. The director said,
No, Christian was easy. He listened more than he spoke, and he invested himself both spiritually and consciously into that character of Jim. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had directing a young person.
Currently, Spielberg is committed to two projects that he will direct. The first one is a reimagining of Bullitt, which will star Bradley Cooper. The other is a UFO film that he conceived of, with Jurassic Park writer David Keopp tapped to write the screenplay.
Fans can watch Jurassic Park on Peacock.
