Harrison Ford, who made headlines in 1977 for his portrayal of the likable smuggler Han Solo in George Lucas’ blockbuster space opera Star Wars, is recognized for having brought to life a number of iconic genre figures. His appearances in movies such as Blade Runner, Witness, and the Indiana Jones film series have helped him become popular among both seasoned and novice viewers.
Ford selects roles that resonate with his genuine interests, ensuring that any potential sequel bearing his mark not only promises a continuation of a story but also the promise of a character. For example, his return to the neo-noir universe as Rick Deckard in Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 (2017) was no accident; it was the result of a script that spoke to him, a narrative that provided a familiar setting for the fan-favorite character.
Did we mention that during a 2017 Fandango Studio interview with his Blade Runner 2049 cast—Ryan Gosling, Sylvia Hoeks, Ana de Armas, and director Denis Villeneuve—Ford, 81, did not fail to impress audiences with his sense of humor?
Harrison Ford’s Epic Humor Left Ryan Gosling in Tears of Laughter
While it may seem like a daunting task to convince Harrison Ford to jump on board a legacy sequel, it’s not impossible. The key is to find a script that truly speaks to the actor, and something gives his character room to grow and evolve. In the case of a Blade Runner sequel, focusing on Rick Deckard’s relationship with his daughter provided a compelling narrative arc that enticed Ford to return to the role.
Indeed, the Blade Runner 2049 script, which also stars Ryan Gosling, Sylvia Hoeks, and Ana de Armas, is genuinely the “best thing” the Star Wars actor has ever read (via MTV News).
Furthermore, despite his advanced age, Ford has routinely displayed his deadpan comic timing and sense of humor during interviews. For example, during a visit to Fandango in 2017, director Denis Villeneuve, Gosling, Sylvia Hoeks, Ana de Armas, and Ford hilariously discussed Blade Runner 2049.
When the interviewer asked Ford about his “master plan” for life, the actor’s playful nature and sense of humor gripped the audience while also showing his capacity to bring levity to even the most serious of topics. He said:
I am happy to go on and repeating myself over and over again. Yeah, I have got nothing better to do….[The master plan] is to become rich and famous.
His effortless charm and comedic timing added a touch of magic to the interview, making it a memorable moment for everyone—especially Gosling, who left in stitches.
Ford’s sense of humor and self-awareness about his career suggest that he’s not opposed to revisiting his iconic roles, as long as the project is worthy of his time and talent. Per ABC News, Ford claimed that the way the sequel story was woven into Deckard’s previous history gave him the background knowledge he needed to play the character.
Unstoppable Harrison Ford: Is Retirement Not in His Vocabulary?
It seems Harrison Ford is not going to give up on acting anytime soon. Last year, The Conversation actor spoke out about his future and confirmed he had no plans to retire. When CNN host Chris Wallace questioned the 81-year-old actor about his impending retirement, the latter stated:
I don’t do well when I don’t have work. I love to work… I love to feel useful. It’s my Jones, I want to be helpful.
When Wallace inquired further about Ford’s favorite aspect of acting, the actor replied:
It is the people you get to work with. The intensity and the intimacy of collaboration…
Ford may not be leaving the acting profession, but he is leaving the role of Indiana Jones. As per the actor’s statement to Total Film magazine (via GamesRadar), Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny was his “final” role.
This is the final film in the series, and this is the last time I’ll play the character. I anticipate that it will be the last time that he appears in a film.
While praising Ford’s performance and pointing out that it helped bring some last-minute “cinematic treasure” to the movie, critics criticized the film for lacking the suspense of previous entries (see Rotten Tomatoes).
Anyway, we will next see Ford as Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross in Julius Onah’s superhero movie Captain America: Brave New World, which is based on the Marvel Comics character Sam Wilson/Captain America.
Stream Blade Runner 2049 on Apple TV+.
