Harrison Ford’s lengthy career in film gave him a lot of opportunities to explore various types of roles, but his most famous ones are undisputedly Han Solo and Indiana Jones. His tenure in the Star Wars franchise has had its ups and downs, and one of its biggest controversies was his affair with co-star Carrie Fisher.
While Ford immensely regretted this as it affected his marriage, there was something else he wished he could have changed in the franchise, and that was for his character to have a partner-in-crime.
Harrison Ford Wished For A Sidekick In Star Wars Because Of Short Round
Vietnamese actor Ke Huy Quan was only 13 when he starred alongside Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). He portrayed the role of Indy’s sidekick Short Round in the famed Steven Spielberg movie.
Quan’s acting career in Hollywood took the backseat as he worked behind the scenes as an assistant director and fight choreographer on several Asian films. His biggest comeback would be Everything Everywhere All at Once where he starred opposite Michelle Yeoh.
While taking a trip down memory lane, Quan posted a photo of him and Ford on the set of Temple of Doom and revealed that the Ender’s Game star had always wanted a sidekick like him in the Star Wars films (via Twitter):
“Me and Harrison Ford just chilling before he said he wished there was a character like me in Star Wars.”
Temple of Doom was released after Return of the Jedi, the final Star Wars installment in the trilogy. Ford’s character in the film might have wished for a companion, possibly a kid like Short Round, to join him in his intergalactic adventures. While Han Solo got Chewbacca on his side, the actor might have felt there was extra room for another crew member.
Harrison Ford Will Always Be A Hero For Ke Huy Quan
Harrison Ford and Ke Huy Quan’s relationship has grown through the years. Their time together on the set of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was very crucial to The Goonies star, and their reunion during the Dial of Destiny premiere only proved that he was the best sidekick that Ford has ever had.
As per CNN, Ford embraced Quan and commended the actor for the success he has achieved:
“I don’t need to be proud of this guy. He’s done all of this himself. It’s got nothing to do with me. I have great love and admiration for this guy, but his pride is his own.”
Quan showed his respect for Ford by professing his appreciation for the veteran star:
“I love you so much, I love you so much. Of course, you know the reason why I love acting so much is because of him because I had such a wonderful experience on Temple of Doom.”
On his Instagram account, Quan shared a post where he displayed his enthusiasm for being the famed sidekick to Ford’s character:
“Indy will always be a hero to Short Round, and Harrison Ford will always be a hero to me. I wish he could continue in this role forever, but I was happy to be there last night to see him crack that whip one more time.”
Harrison Ford might not have gotten his wish to have a young sidekick in Star Wars, but he was lucky enough to have one in Indiana Jones, and that is what makes Ke Huy Quan’s Short Round very special!
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is available on Disney+.
Sources: Twitter, CNN, Instagram
