Anyone know? Previously, he just did Star Wars, and afterwards he did Blade Runner. This was Sci-Fi. Anyone know why he declined? My guess is that he gained 'leading man' status and was not going to take getting killed by a monster half-way thru.
Oh god, he was offered the part? Well Im glad he turned it down, just dont see him in the role.
He was a bit busy on the planet Hoth.
He was either too busy doing Indiana Jones or the Star Wars series.
Though if he DID take it, it would've upped the "Psycho" feel wherein the big name got taken out halfway...
Quote from: ShadowSonic on Feb 01, 2009, 12:15:58 AM
He was either too busy doing Indiana Jones or the Star Wars series.
Star Wars. Although he wasn't on set until 1979 at the earliest, he was committed to
Empire.
Quote from: ShadowSonic on Feb 01, 2009, 12:15:58 AM
Though if he DID take it, it would've upped the "Psycho" feel wherein the big name got taken out halfway...
Not really. Even though
Star Wars is now part of our consciousness in a big way and had done pretty well at the box office in 1977, it wasn't really a gigantic sensation until 1980. If he had taken the Captain Dallas role, people's reaction would have been, "It's that guy from
Star Wars. No, not the 'Luke Skywalker' guy." For those who will see
Alien for the first time after 1980, he would have been known by name.
where did you read that he was offered the role?
Quote from: wmmvrrvrrmm on Feb 01, 2009, 05:56:41 AM
where did you read that he was offered the role?
My thoughts exactly
I thought he'd only been considered for the role, not actually offered.
Quote from: EEV2650 on Feb 01, 2009, 06:43:32 AM
Quote from: wmmvrrvrrmm on Feb 01, 2009, 05:56:41 AM
where did you read that he was offered the role?
My thoughts exactly
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000148/bio
Scroll down a bit.
What i learned from that is that Ford has turned down alot of good roles in alot good films.
I guess a more pertinent question, is would there have been an Alien series if he HAD taken the role? Would there have been a sequel? As, at that time if he had come onboard, it would have completely taken the light off Weaver don't you think?
Hardly. He still would've been dead three quarters the way through the film, after which it's Ripley's show.
I dont know SiL. If Ford would have been in Alien i dont think we would have the alien franchise as we have it now. I think Ford might not have over shadowed Weaver back in '79 but I think by 1984 people would recognize alien as a Harrison Ford movie more than a Sigourny Weaver movie.
The feminists wouldn't let that happen, though.
And like I said. Dallas would still be dead, Fox would still do a sequel, and association with Ford or not, we still would've wound up with Aliens.
Dallas would have died in Alien even if Ford was cast in the role. By the time Alien was in production, Skerritt was still a bigger name than Ford and Dallas still died.
well, even though we have it in IMDB, I suppose I'd want to find out where the information originated from because it hasn't not always been accurate, but maybe it's a start .
He was probley too much of a big/upcoming name when Alien was planned. I mean think about it? you get offerd the 2nd Star Wars movie because the first one was such a mayjor hit, and you probaly be getting a shit load of other scripts shoved in your face, and then someone else says we have this low budget B-movie type of horror sci-fi flick called Alien with some unknown director and a b-movie plot... What would you go for? I know the likes of Tom Skerritt, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm were well known at the time, but the had nothing to prove because the already had street cred. I would put the likes of Harrison Ford back then on the same lines as Christian Bale is today, a new super star were everyone wants to use him in there latest mega block busters flick.
But i do belive if he got offerd Alien afew years after the Star wars buzz died down he may of went for it, to try he hand at something differnt.
Indy was still years off at that point - he was only cast at the very last minute anyway - and Harry would've been busy with Force 10 From Navarone and Hanover St around the time Alien was being made.
Quote from: Kimo on Feb 04, 2009, 12:43:40 AM
He was probley too much of a big/upcoming name when Alien was planned.
He wasn't. Skerritt was more of a familiar face.
Quote from: Kimo on Feb 04, 2009, 12:43:40 AM
I mean think about it? you get offerd the 2nd Star Wars movie because the first one was such a mayjor hit, and you probaly be getting a shit load of other scripts shoved in your face, and then someone else says we have this low budget B-movie type of horror sci-fi flick called Alien with some unknown director and a b-movie plot... What would you go for?
Being around in 1979, I assure you it didn't happen that way.
Star Wars fever didn't really become an epidemic overnight. Ford was still a bit actor, even if he had a few lead roles in some minor films.
Quote from: maledoro on Feb 04, 2009, 01:28:34 AM
Quote from: Kimo on Feb 04, 2009, 12:43:40 AM
He was probley too much of a big/upcoming name when Alien was planned.
He wasn't. Skerritt was more of a familiar face.
Quote from: Kimo on Feb 04, 2009, 12:43:40 AM
I mean think about it? you get offerd the 2nd Star Wars movie because the first one was such a mayjor hit, and you probaly be getting a shit load of other scripts shoved in your face, and then someone else says we have this low budget B-movie type of horror sci-fi flick called Alien with some unknown director and a b-movie plot... What would you go for?
Being around in 1979, I assure you it didn't happen that way. Star Wars fever didn't really become an epidemic overnight. Ford was still a bit actor, even if he had a few lead roles in some minor films.
Hey dont get me wrong im just guessing from the top of my head why Ford may of turned down Alien if he was infact offerd the role. So dont take my word for it. ;)
Skerritt already made his mark in hollywood so he would probably take on unique roles for a gamble since he had nothing to lose. Were Ford may of been advised on what to take since he may of been hollywoods money cow at that time. But like i said im just guessing from the top of my head so i maybe wrong.
Quote from: Kimo on Feb 05, 2009, 12:14:03 AM
Were Ford may of been advised on what to take since he may of been hollywoods money cow at that time.
But Ford wasn't a box office draw back then. He didn't become a household name until after
Empire was released.
Quote from: maledoro on Feb 05, 2009, 12:21:49 AM
Quote from: Kimo on Feb 05, 2009, 12:14:03 AM
Were Ford may of been advised on what to take since he may of been hollywoods money cow at that time.
But Ford wasn't a box office draw back then. He didn't become a household name until after Empire was released.
Well maybe Alien was just not his cup of tea. or maybe he could not take the role at the time for what ever reason.
I think my question was answered. He was busy with Star Wars. I think it's a bit pointless for more speculation. :)
Quote from: Pvt. Hicks on Feb 05, 2009, 12:44:00 AM
I think my question was answered. He was busy with Star Wars. I think it's a bit pointless for more speculation. :)
Well, he was retained for
Empire.
;)
Well, turns out he declined the role because he didn't want to play another space pilot. It's in a book about Ridley Scott.
More fun facts: Tommy Lee Jones was offered the movie, and Steven Spielberg was offered the director's chair, too.
Oh my! Next thing it'll be 'John Williams was going to write the score'! Imagine that...
Quote from: BishopShouldGo on Nov 27, 2016, 09:10:38 PM
Well, turns out he declined the role because he didn't want to play another space pilot. It's in a book about Ridley Scott.
More fun facts: Tommy Lee Jones was offered the movie, and Steven Spielberg was offered the director's chair, too.
Which book is this, BSG?
Quote from: Pvt. Hicks on Feb 05, 2009, 12:44:00 AM
I think my question was answered. He was busy with Star Wars. I think it's a bit pointless for more speculation. :)
Are you our illustrious admin's little brother? Or his child?
Quote from: Local Trouble on Nov 29, 2016, 03:46:48 PM
Quote from: Pvt. Hicks on Feb 05, 2009, 12:44:00 AM
I think my question was answered. He was busy with Star Wars. I think it's a bit pointless for more speculation. :)
Are you our illustrious admin's little brother? Or his child?
That's our illustrious admin from 2009 before he got his promotion.
Quote from: wmmvrrvrrmm on Feb 03, 2009, 10:59:25 PM
well, even though we have it in IMDB, I suppose I'd want to find out where the information originated from because it hasn't not always been accurate, but maybe it's a start .
Garry Jenkins' Harrison Ford: Imperfect Hero might be a source. It states that "at Elstree, Scott had offered him the role of Dallas, the ill- fated captain of the space tanker Nostromo in his second major feature, Alien".
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Nov 29, 2016, 08:53:38 AM
Quote from: BishopShouldGo on Nov 27, 2016, 09:10:38 PM
Well, turns out he declined the role because he didn't want to play another space pilot. It's in a book about Ridley Scott.
More fun facts: Tommy Lee Jones was offered the movie, and Steven Spielberg was offered the director's chair, too.
Which book is this, BSG?
I misremembered, it was the book Valaquen listed, Harrison Ford: Imperfect Hero.
Quote from: Valaquen on Nov 29, 2016, 06:36:36 PM
Quote from: wmmvrrvrrmm on Feb 03, 2009, 10:59:25 PM
well, even though we have it in IMDB, I suppose I'd want to find out where the information originated from because it hasn't not always been accurate, but maybe it's a start .
Garry Jenkins' Harrison Ford: Imperfect Hero might be a source. It states that "at Elstree, Scott had offered him the role of Dallas, the ill- fated captain of the space tanker Nostromo in his second major feature, Alien".
Quote from: BishopShouldGo on Nov 29, 2016, 09:04:04 PM
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Nov 29, 2016, 08:53:38 AM
Quote from: BishopShouldGo on Nov 27, 2016, 09:10:38 PM
Well, turns out he declined the role because he didn't want to play another space pilot. It's in a book about Ridley Scott.
More fun facts: Tommy Lee Jones was offered the movie, and Steven Spielberg was offered the director's chair, too.
Which book is this, BSG?
I misremembered, it was the book Valaquen listed, Harrison Ford: Imperfect Hero.
Quote from: Valaquen on Nov 29, 2016, 06:36:36 PM
Quote from: wmmvrrvrrmm on Feb 03, 2009, 10:59:25 PM
well, even though we have it in IMDB, I suppose I'd want to find out where the information originated from because it hasn't not always been accurate, but maybe it's a start .
Garry Jenkins' Harrison Ford: Imperfect Hero might be a source. It states that "at Elstree, Scott had offered him the role of Dallas, the ill- fated captain of the space tanker Nostromo in his second major feature, Alien".
That can't be right. Ridley Scott first met Harrison Ford off the Raiders set at Elstree studios in October 1980.
Quote from: Ridley ScottI first met him straight off the set one night. He drove into London, and I think he still had the damn hat on he wore as Indiana Jones. I thought, oh shit! Because up to that point, we'd seen Deckard wearing the same kind of hat.
First met him. Not first spoke with him over the phone.
Or he could have met him previously, and here he means "first met him" in the context of their Blade Runner relationship.
Remember, it was Star Wars that galvanized Ridley to make Alien in the first place.
It states that "at Elstree, Scott had offered him the role of Dallas, the ill- fated captain of the space tanker Nostromo in his second major feature, Alien".
Can't find any mention of Scott having previously met Ford in Paul M. Sammons, Future Noir. And he should know, he also wrote a book about Ridley Scott.
I suspect Jenkins might have gotten his facts mixed up.
Mmm. Who knows then.
It's also possible Scott had nothing to do with personally offering him the role and it was the casting director.
Quote from: The Eighth Passenger on Nov 29, 2016, 05:14:10 PM
Quote from: Local Trouble on Nov 29, 2016, 03:46:48 PM
Quote from: Pvt. Hicks on Feb 05, 2009, 12:44:00 AM
I think my question was answered. He was busy with Star Wars. I think it's a bit pointless for more speculation. :)
Are you our illustrious admin's little brother? Or his child?
That's our illustrious admin from 2009 before he got his promotion.
Nah, before my promotion to Corporal, I was Corpral. Joys of joining the fanbase at a young age.
Pvt. Hicks is someone else entirely. Someone you will all recognize though. He has an alter ego!
Quote from: SiL on Nov 29, 2016, 09:54:59 PM
It's also possible Scott had nothing to do with personally offering him the role and it was the casting director.
This could be the case.
For
The Duellists, Scott wanted Jon Finch, and had the script sent to Finch's agent. However, Finch's agent left his employ at that time, and didn't pass on the script. So Ridley thought he'd been snubbed by Finch until they spoke about
Alien. Could be a similar case of delegation in this instance.
Quote from: Valaquen on Nov 30, 2016, 02:23:04 PM
Quote from: SiL on Nov 29, 2016, 09:54:59 PM
It's also possible Scott had nothing to do with personally offering him the role and it was the casting director.
This could be the case.
For The Duellists, Scott wanted Jon Finch, and had the script sent to Finch's agent. However, Finch's agent left his employ at that time, and didn't pass on the script. So Ridley thought he'd been snubbed by Finch until they spoke about Alien. Could be a similar case of delegation in this instance.
Still can't find any mention of Scott being interested in casting Ford prior to Blade Runner. It appears to be Barbara Hersey who persuaded Scott and Deeley to cast Ford in BR because she had recently spoken to Spielberg and he was raving about Ford. Scott and Deeley flew out all the way from LA to London just to proposition Ford. I'll check if there's any mention of Scott and Ford before 1980 in Dangerous Days but I'm certain I would have picked-up on that before if there was any mention.
Quote from: The Eighth Passenger on Nov 30, 2016, 04:15:20 PM
Quote from: Valaquen on Nov 30, 2016, 02:23:04 PM
Quote from: SiL on Nov 29, 2016, 09:54:59 PM
It's also possible Scott had nothing to do with personally offering him the role and it was the casting director.
This could be the case.
For The Duellists, Scott wanted Jon Finch, and had the script sent to Finch's agent. However, Finch's agent left his employ at that time, and didn't pass on the script. So Ridley thought he'd been snubbed by Finch until they spoke about Alien. Could be a similar case of delegation in this instance.
Still can't find any mention of Scott being interested in casting Ford prior to Blade Runner. It appears to be Barbara Hersey who persuaded Scott and Deeley to cast Ford in BR because she had recently spoken to Spielberg and he was raving about Ford. Scott and Deeley flew out all the way from LA to London just to proposition Ford. I'll check if there's any mention of Scott and Ford before 1980 in Dangerous Days but I'm certain I would have picked-up on that before if there was any mention.
It's possible something is in there too. I vaguely remember reading specifically the reason he turned it down was because it was another space pilot.
Checked Dangerous Days and there's video interviews with both Scott and Ford about their first meeting but no mention at all of Alien or any prior contact either personally or via casting director or agents. Ford wasn't even originally considered for the lead in Blade Runner and again it says that it was Hersey who first brought Ford to Scott's attention via Spielberg.
It's probably safe to assume that Jenkins was mistaken.
We do know that Yaphet Kotto was offered the part of Lando. According to Kotto anyway. The Ford thing isn't something I can find any information on beyond that one source.
Who cares? The Dallas we got was perfect, perfect captain material!
Anyway maybe he didn't want to be typecast for space films...
Eh, Skerritt was aight.
Skerrit was amazing. Ford would've been doing his Ford smirk the whole time and eating at the tension.
Ugh. That would've been awesome! I'm imagining it now. :) :) :)
I'll always have you, Winona, Charlize and Fassbender. That is, until Ridley decides to cast like RIDLEY and populate his next prequels with people that are A-listers at the time of their casting.
Exodus, The Martian, The Counselor, the non-Alien Alien movie, yeah! I'll cast you with A-listers no problem. Uhp, I have an actual Alien movie coming up! Better get Amy Seimetz and Jussie Smollett! Oh, the Blade Runner movie I'm producing? Bring back Ford, and enlist Leto and Gosling.
Aye yai yai. RUSSELL CROWE OR CATE BLANCHETT THE NEXT GO AROUND PLEASE.
The film was perfectly cast.I wouldn't want it any other way.
Yup. I'm in the extreeeeeeme minority. I'm the only Alien fan who feels this way. I've yet to see one agree with me in all my internet fandom. Ah well lol.
Quote from: BishopShouldGo on Dec 07, 2016, 05:05:02 AM
Ugh. That would've been awesome! I'm imagining it now. :) :) :)
So you're a fan of grossly inappropriate acting in a horror film?
I don't picture it ruining the tone. And if Ridley were to think it would he would've asked Harrison to stop smirking.
Quote from: Valaquen on Nov 29, 2016, 06:36:36 PM
Quote from: wmmvrrvrrmm on Feb 03, 2009, 10:59:25 PM
well, even though we have it in IMDB, I suppose I'd want to find out where the information originated from because it hasn't not always been accurate, but maybe it's a start .
Garry Jenkins' Harrison Ford: Imperfect Hero might be a source. It states that "at Elstree, Scott had offered him the role of Dallas, the ill- fated captain of the space tanker Nostromo in his second major feature, Alien".
I found some Alien production notes with Scott's handwriting in which Harrison Ford is considered for the role of Dallas. "Only problem - Star Wars".
Still no evidence of Ford ever being formally approached for the role of Dallas.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErI5_63UYAA1oD7?format=jpg&name=large)
I didn't realise John Hurt was up for Ash and Harry Dean Stanton was up for Parker.
Denis Waterman could've sung the theme tune.
Quote from: SiL on Dec 07, 2016, 03:05:15 AM
Skerrit was amazing. Ford would've been doing his Ford smirk the whole time and eating at the tension.
I know what you mean, but I think Ford has somewhat more range than that. Just off the top of my head: Presumed Innocent, The Fugitive and Witness all showcased that he can do more than just smirk like Han Solo and Indiana Jones.
Or if you want something a little closer to when Alien was produced, just look at his brief performance in Apocalypse Now. Of course, none of that means he would have been better as Dallas than Tom Skerritt was. I think the role was better suited for an older man anyway.
It's only one scene in Apocalypse Now, but quite different to Han and Indy.
Yeah I don't hold those views five years later.
On the other hand, I've never seen Skerritt point his finger quite like Ford can.
Harrison Ford is always Harrison Ford to me if that makes any sense. He's more of a star than an actor. Sure he can act, and he's incredibly charismatic, but he has such a John Wayne-type on-screen presence that he's always Harrison Ford on screen to me, rather than the character he's playing.
^ It makes sense.
I wonder how a 1979 Christopher Lloyd would've been as Ashe.
Quote from: Master Chief on Jan 08, 2021, 04:52:33 PM
^ It makes sense.
I wonder how a 1979 Christopher Lloyd would've been as Ashe.
A bit twitchy.
Quote from: Local Trouble on Jan 08, 2021, 11:36:24 AM
Quote from: SiL on Dec 07, 2016, 03:05:15 AM
Skerrit was amazing. Ford would've been doing his Ford smirk the whole time and eating at the tension.
I know what you mean, but I think Ford has somewhat more range than that. Just off the top of my head: Presumed Innocent, The Fugitive and Witness all showcased that he can do more than just smirk like Han Solo and Indiana Jones.
Or if you want something a little closer to when Alien was produced, just look at his brief performance in Apocalypse Now. Of course, none of that means he would have been better as Dallas than Tom Skerritt was. I think the role was better suited for an older man anyway.
Quote from: Local Trouble on Jan 08, 2021, 12:32:25 PM
On the other hand, I've never seen Skerritt point his finger quite like Ford can.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4Rqx9TvtlM
Local, aren't you Harrison Ford ? Why you talk anout yourself in third person ? It's weird :-\
Of course he is. Local refers to himself in the third-person all the time. Go play Half-Life already.
I'll play it when I'll get around to it and you'll be the first to know ! >:(
Quote from: Voodoo Magic on Jan 08, 2021, 03:11:34 PM
Harrison Ford is always Harrison Ford to me if that makes any sense. He's more of a star than an actor. Sure he can act, and he's incredibly charismatic, but he has such a John Wayne-type on-screen presence that he's always Harrison Ford on screen to me, rather than the character he's playing.
Yeah, but imo he's more Deckard than Ford in
Blade Runner.
Indeed :laugh:
But is he a replicant?
(https://64.media.tumblr.com/1e9822307700e743e0d7fe4f87517917/tumblr_n1vg2sxgP11r4zr8xo1_500.gifv)
More Deckard than Ford is our motto here at Tyrell.
It must be the haircut... ;)