Welcome to #FlashbackFriday, where we look at past moments with filmmakers, actors, etc. and highlight something in cinema history that’s fascinating, amusing, perhaps something you never knew or have seen, you name it.
After what seems like an eternity of reporting about behind-the-scenes drama, “Solo: A Star Wars Story” is finally being released worldwide this weekend. And what better way to celebrate than to hear from one of the biggest naysayers of a Han Solo spin-off film – Harrison Ford?
That’s right, in this week’s Flashback Friday, we share a few clips of the legendary actor, best known for his roles as Indiana Jones and, of course, Han Solo, talking about how he doesn’t really care for Han. In fact, as is widely known, Ford wishes Han died sooner.
For the first trip down memory lane, we have a clip of Ford appearing on “Oprah” in 1997. The host asks Ford point blank if he’d ever like to play Han Solo again in a future film. “No, the character doesn’t really interest me that much. I don’t think he has as much depth as we can bring to the character of Indiana Jones,” Ford said.
Ouch.
Of course, we know that Ford would later bring back not just Han Solo, but also Indy and Deckard, proving that the actor is perfectly willing to forgo his own concerns for the right film. Or a terrible film, as seen in ‘Indy 4.’
The second clip is another flashback to a simpler time before George Lucas sold his baby to Disney. In an interview with Peter Travers, Ford was again asked if he’d be interested in playing Han. And yet again, he denies any interest in the character and claims that Han is not a character that fits in “Star Wars” anymore. When asked why Han wasn’t killed, Ford was cynical (and most definitely right) when he said, “George didn’t think there was any future in Dead Han toys.”
And the final clip is a wonderful quick picture into Harrison Ford’s mind. When he’s caught off guard, that’s when you get the truth, so when he’s at Star Wars Celebration, standing right across from George Lucas, Ford is asked if he’d be interested in seeing a Han Solo spin-off film.
“Not really,” said the actor.
There you have it! Forget all this press stuff about Harrison Ford being happy with the film and proud of Alden Ehrenreich. As is evident in these clips, Ford is probably just happy to be down with the whole damn franchise and is willing to pass along the vest and blaster to the next sad sack who’s dumb enough to sign on.
Oh, and enjoy “Solo: A Star Wars Story” in theaters now!