Over 40 years ago, Tom Selleck was cast as the lead role in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, but because he had committed to do the series Magnum P.I. (1980-88), Tom had to drop out, forcing Steven Spielberg to find a replacement.
Harrison Ford explained what happened during a panel discussion at the Taormina Film Festival in Italy for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, when he was asked how his connection with Indiana Jones began.
"How I got the job? Tom Selleck had the job, but he also incurred an obligation to do a television series and he was unable to get out of that contract," Harrison said. "I became the second choice, and I’m very grateful for Tom. Thank you, Tom, man. If you’re listening, thank you again."
He also told the panel that George Lucas, who co-wrote Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark and whom he'd worked with on the first two Stars Wars movies at the time, sent him the script.
"He said, 'I want you to read it right away, I want you to read it in an hour.' I sat down, I read it in an hour, and he said, 'I want you to go over to Steven Spielberg's house and talk to him.' I went to Steven Spielberg's house -- I had never met Steven Spielberg before. I guess about an hour later I had the job," Harrison recalled.
Harrison has played Indy in five feature films, including the first one, which debuted in 1981.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny opens in theaters nationwide this Friday, June 30, 2023. ~Alexandra Heilbron
Tickets for Friday
We saw this movie and it was good!!! Harrison Ford you still got it!!!