Director Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner is considered a cult classic, and the sci-fi film recently completed 42 years since its release. The film stars Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard, and the performance remains one of the more underrated roles of the acclaimed actor. However, Ford wasn’t the first choice for the role.
According to reports, one legendary Hollywood actor was initially the first choice for playing the lead role. However, the Academy Award-winning actor eventually dropped out of the film, paving the way for Ford to take it up. Nonetheless, Ford did not have a great experience working on the film. Here is how the casting of Blade Runner changed over time.
Ridley Scott Wanted to Cast Dustin Hoffman Over Harrison Ford in Blade Runner
Director Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner was adapted from Philip K. Dick’s 1968 dystopian sci-fi novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Screenwriter Hampton Fancher originally envisioned actor Robert Mitchum in the lead role of Rick Deckard. However, Scott’s first choice for the role was Dustin Hoffman.
While Scott was working on the movie, Hoffman had already won his first Best Actor Oscar for his performance in Kramer vs Kramer. At the time, Hoffman was known for his anti-macho image, which was reportedly the reason Scott and producer Michael Deeley approached him for the role.
I’ve no idea why they asked me to play such a macho character.
Hoffman reportedly made the above statement as he would eventually drop out of the sci-fi film after some initial discussions with Scott.
However, according to Deeley’s memoir, Hoffman had a very enthusiastic approach to the role, which he and Scott felt would slow down production. Therefore, it is evident that Hoffman likely would have drastically changed the script to suit his anti-macho image, forever changing the fate of the now cult classic film.
Harrison Ford Recalled Nightmarish Experience on Blade Runner
After moving on from Scott and mulling over several other options, Scott eventually offered the role to Harrison Ford. At the time, Ford had become one of the top macho stars in Hollywood, thanks to his roles in the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises.
The actor was interested in taking a role with more dramatic depth, leading to him accepting Scott’s offer. Blade Runner premiered in June 1982 and did not exactly light up the box office, grossing only $41.8 million and polarized critics. Ford was unhappy with the end result, mainly due to creative differences with Scott.
It was a f**king nightmare. I thought that the film had worked without the narration. But now I was stuck re-creating that narration.
Ford made the above statement (via Far Out Magazine) explaining that he and Scott had agreed to make the movie without the complex narrations.
However, Ford noted that he was contractually obligated to record the voiceovers, especially for people who did not have the director’s best interest at heart. Hence, it is evident that the behind-the-scenes drama during production affected Ford’s experience in the movie and wasn’t pleasant. Nonetheless, Ford reprised his role in the 2017 sequel Blade Runner 2049 directed by Denis Villeneuve.
Blade Runner is streaming on Max.
