“I had not done as much work as I wanted to”: Harrison Ford Agreed to Taylor Sheridan’s 1923 as He Was Tired of “Two years of sitting on my a**”

The sky must have been the limit for a young Harrison Ford sailing through Hollywood during the peak of his fame and popularity. But unlike the immortality of his legendary on-screen characters, the actor was very much bound to become a victim of his advancing age, and slowly recede into the backgrounds in favor of newer, fresher, and younger talents.

However, despite the volume of his achievements and the weight of his filmography, an actor of Ford’s caliber can hardly be done with trying to reach for higher limits as long as he breathes. Creativity runs through the blood of artists like the Star Wars veteran and just like Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, he refuses to give up on working until he can no longer do so.

Harrison Ford’s Reason for Being in 1923 Might Be a Bit Sad

It is with the utmost respect for the craft of acting that Harrison Ford continues to nurture his profession, even at the impressive age of 81. However, it also goes without saying that at such a daunting age, the opportunity for bagging roles is considerably diminished compared to his heyday in the ’80s and ’90s. So when the circumstances called for a leading man of his exact description, Ford unwaveringly jumped at the chance to play a ranch owner in Taylor Sheridan‘s 1923.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Harrison Ford explained why he walked back on the astute declaration he made in 2002: “I only work once a year, and that’s enough” – considering how he was now not only involved with two major television projects but also filmed an Indiana Jones sequel in the span of a single year.

The simplest answer is probably the most truthful: After two years of sitting on my ass during COVID-19, and waiting quite a few years for ‘Indiana Jones [and the Dial of Destiny]’ to start, I had not done as much work as I wanted to and I wanted to do different things. So [‘Shrinking’] came along, and then, very quickly after that, ‘1923’ came along.

I took the job without a script on both of them on faith that the people who created the projects were going to deliver me a good script. I really didn’t realize how much work ‘1923’ was going to be, and I absolutely feel it’s worth it. I’m excited to do another season of both.

Although not the purest of intentions, one cannot blame Harrison Ford for letting go of his inhibitions once in a while and simply making a decision based on instinct rather than merit. On a positive note, both 1923 and Shrinking turned out to be exceptional, with audiences demanding his return in a second season of both shows.

Harrison Ford Prequel Series Has a Weird Origin Story

Taylor Sheridan’s 1923 essentially serves as a spin-off tale within the Yellowstone universe that connects the intergenerational story of the Dutton clan, binding them through time and making the lore richer in its narrative history. However, 1923 as a series came into existence due to disgruntled studio executives being unable to accept the abrupt ending of Sheridan’s 1883 storyline.

After pitching 1883 to the Paramount Network execs, the disbelief that rang through the halls of the studio reached Sheridan’s ears, who revealed:

When they read the last episode of 1883, I don’t think they digested what had just happened, even though I made it quite clear from the very beginning. The story I heard is Bob Bakish watched it and said, ‘Wait a minute, she dies! They all die? What do we do in season two?’ I said, there is no season two. They’re like, there better be a f–king season two because we already picked it up. I’m sitting here going, guys, everyone is dead.

In the end, unable to pacify the ruffled studio executives, Taylor Sheridan spawned another branch on the Yellowstone timeline and conceived the Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren starring series that captured the hearts and the imagination of millions worldwide.

1923 is available for streaming on Paramount+