Harrison Ford Expresses Gratitude Towards ‘Star Wars,’ George Lucas, and ‘Indiana Jones’ Ahead of the Release of ‘Dial of Destiny’
In a recent interview with Inquirer.net, Harrison Ford credited George Lucas, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones for helping to change his life. The comments come ahead of the release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny which is Ford’s fifth and final Indiana Jones movie.
The revered, soon-to-be 81-year-old actor has starred in many iconic roles, including Han Solo, Indiana Jones, Deckard in Blade Runner, and Jack Ryan in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. However, over the years, fans and onlookers have felt that Ford seemed to express disinterest and little enthusiasm for both Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Yet, Ford’s recent comments ahead of the release of The Dial of Destiny seem to suggest otherwise.
Ford was asked whether or not he thought Star Wars and Indiana Jones were going to be as big as they are now. In response, he pointed out the seemingly ridiculous nature of Star Wars when it was first being developed, but still felt that there was a “fairytale-like” nature that gave it merit. Yet, he still wasn’t prepared for Star Wars’ overwhelming cultural impact.
“In a word, no. Did I think they might be successful films? Yes—or I would have run away (laughs). It might have seemed odd to the British crew when we were making the first Star Wars.
They might have said, ‘What’s going on here?’ Like, there’s a seven-foot-tall man in a dog suit. There’s also a beautiful princess, a wise old warrior and a callow youth. Then, there’s a smartass—I know the part I play (laughs). And it’s fun!
I thought, ‘This is a fairytale.’ This kind of story has always been successful, whether it’s a written or filmed fairytale. At that point in my career, it didn’t matter to me that the film would become hugely successful and end up changing movie history.”
Ford then commented on the impact that Star Wars, George Lucas, and Indiana Jones have had on his life. He credits all three of them for helping him have the career he has today and even was delighted with the end product of those movies:
“I was grateful because [Star Wars] changed my life. I had opportunities that extended beyond director George Lucas’ and my success in making that film. It gave me freedom and opportunities that I never had imagined I might have.
It’s the same thing with Indiana Jones, except that it’s not a fairy tale. It’s a different kind of construction, but it is recognizable as the kind of film that is broadly enjoyed by moviegoers from all walks of life.
It’s so much fun to watch these films because they’re beautifully written. They’re so artfully contrived and populated with such fantastic actors … Just look at the actors I’ve had the opportunity to work with! So, it’s been nothing but joy for me.
The past few months have been a moving experience for the actor as he hangs up the hat on one of cinema’s most iconic characters. At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Harrison Ford was visibly emotional as he received a 5-minute standing ovation and the Honorary Palme d’Or ahead of The Dial of Destiny’s premiere. Ford still continues to act to this day, as he also expressed to CNN’s Chris Wallace that he has no plans to retire. In fact, he is in the run for two Emmy nominations, for a dramatic role in 1923 and a comedic role in Apple’s Shrinking (which is, according to pundits, almost locked). He will reprise his role in new seasons of both of those shows and also recently joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a recurring role.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny releases in theaters on June 30.
Born and raised in Hawaii, Jay Goodearl runs the YouTube Gaming channel “Good Games, Dude” His channel aims to open up video games to beginners and immediate players and help them understand what makes games the art form that it is.
