In the unpredictable world of filmmaking, creating a successful movie can be an arduous task, often taking creators by surprise. One such remarkable tale is the unexpected triumph of the remake of The Fugitive, the classic thriller based on the renowned television series of the same name. Released in 1993, the movie starred the legendary actors Tommy Lee Jones and Harrison Ford, but even they had doubts about its potential success.
During an interview with Rolling Stone, Tommy Lee Jones candidly revealed that he had his reservations about the project’s box office performance. The same project that went on to earn $368 million eventually.
Tommy Lee Jones doubted that he will ever work again
While filming a scene in a vast hotel basement filled with hanging bags of laundry, Tommy Lee Jones confessed,
“I was standing there speaking out to Harrison’s character. And there was nothing there except big bags of laundry. And I remember thinking in the back of my mind, ‘I’ll never work again.”
The Captain America: The First Avenger actor continued, expressing his concerns about the film’s outcome, stating,
“This is never going to work. And the best thing I can do is be as clear, concise, and coherent as possible, deliver these lines as cleanly and dutifully as possible, and maybe I’ll get another job one day, somewhere down the line.'”
Notably, Harrison Ford shared a similar sentiment during production. According to actor Daniel Roebuck, Ford found himself in a location surrounded by water, making a reference to the critical failure of Hudson Hawk, a film starring Bruce Willis.
Harrison Ford was afraid if The Fugitive would be his Hudson Hawk
Doubtful about the success of his film, Harrison Ford expressed his fears, mentioning, “This is going to be my Hudson Hawk.” Referring to Bruce Willis’ 1991 action comedy movie that failed critically and bombed at the box office, grossing only $17 million, Ford anticipated that The Fugitive might have a similar effect on his career as Hudson Hawk had on Willis.
After the release of Hudson Hawk, Willis witnessed a streak of bad luck with films like Billy Bathgate and The Last Boy Scout which tanked at the box office. However, fate had different plans for The Fugitive. Contrary to Jones and Ford’s apprehensions, the film garnered tremendous success and widespread acclaim.
The thrilling tale of Dr. Richard Kimble’s quest to clear his name after being wrongfully accused of his wife’s murder struck a chord with audiences worldwide. And the film received seven Academy Award nominations, with Tommy Lee Jones securing the prestigious Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his gripping portrayal of U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard.
Source: CBR.com
