by When Harrison Ford was cast as Han Solo in the original Star Wars film in 1977, little did he know it would catapult him to superstardom and change the trajectory of his career.
At the time, Ford was a journeyman actor who had appeared in small roles in various television shows and films. Star Wars was really his big break and a role that would define him for generations of fans. As the lovable rogue and smuggler Han Solo, Ford brought humor, charm and swagger to the character. Audiences fell in love with Solo and by extension, Ford himself.
The massive success of Star Wars globally turned Ford into an overnight sensation and A-list movie star. The film was a cultural phenomenon, making over $775 million at the box office and revolutionizing the sci-fi and blockbuster genres. Ford suddenly found himself one of the most famous actors in the world. Doors opened for him to take on bigger budgeted films and lead major Hollywood productions. His starring role in Star Wars indelibly marked him as a leading man and major box office draw.
The popularity and demand for more Star Wars films also meant Ford would return to the lucrative franchise multiple times. He reprised the role of Han Solo in The Empire Strikes Back in 1980 and Return of the Jedi in 1983, further cementing Solo as one of the most iconic characters in cinema history. Playing Solo across three mega-hit Star Wars films in the span of six years guaranteed Ford’s status as an action hero and major franchise star for years to come.
In the wake of Star Wars, Ford became a highly sought after actor for other major franchises as well. In 1981, he was cast in the role that may have had an even bigger impact on his career – Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Under the direction of Steven Spielberg, Ford brought the same swashbuckling charm and wit to the fedora-wearing archaeologist that he had as Han Solo. Indiana Jones was an even bigger box office success than Star Wars and its sequels made Ford one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood.
Between Star Wars and Indiana Jones in the late 70s and early 80s, Ford established himself as the preeminent action-adventure franchise star of his era. His leading man roles in these two hugely popular and lucrative film series set him up for life both financially and career-wise. Ford became the reliable face audiences wanted to see save the day and be the hero in big budget spectacles. Playing Han Solo was the role that first gave Ford that franchise appeal and set in motion a decades long career of starring in some of the biggest movies ever made.
Shifting Roles
While Star Wars and Indiana Jones cemented Ford’s image as an action hero for the ages, he was careful not to get pigeonholed in that type of role and genre alone. Even as those franchises dominated his filmography in the late 70s and 80s, Ford balanced them out with performances in more dramatic and complex films as well.
One such film was Blade Runner in 1982, where Ford took on the role of Rick Deckard. A neo-noir science fiction film, Blade Runner was a darker, deeper character study than the swashbuckling adventures of Han Solo or Indiana Jones. As Deckard, Ford brought nuance and layers to a role that explored what it means to be human. It showed audiences and the industry that beyond being an action hero, Ford had genuine acting chops and could handle challenging roles outside the blockbuster realm.
Blade Runner was proof that Ford’s newfound fame from Star Wars allowed him more control over his career path and the types of projects he took on. No longer needing to take just any role offered to him, Ford began selecting films very deliberately based on the strength of the script and characters. He wanted parts that stimulated him creatively as an actor, even if they weren’t guaranteed box office hits.
A perfect example was 1985’s Witness, where Ford played a detective protecting a young Amish boy (Lukas Haas) who witnesses a murder. As a drama set in the Amish community, it was a complete departure from his usual fare but allowed Ford to flex his acting muscles in a more subdued performance. Witness was a critical and commercial success that demonstrated Ford’s versatility and commitment to his craft over just chasing franchises.
In the late 80s and 90s, Ford continued stretching himself with films like Frantic, The Fugitive, Air Force One and What Lies Beneath. While he still took on the occasional franchise film like another Indiana Jones or Star Wars, Ford proved he was much more than just an action hero and could tackle any genre with conviction. Playing Han Solo had given him the opportunity to define his career on his own terms.
Overall Impact
Now in his late 70s, Harrison Ford remains one of the most famous and beloved actors in Hollywood. Five decades into his career, he is still best known for two roles – Han Solo and Indiana Jones. But those characters were springboards that allowed Ford to build an illustrious filmography full of memorable, impactful performances.
While Han Solo was the role that launched Ford to superstardom, it did not define nor limit his subsequent choices as an actor. Ford was savvy about using his new fame and box office power to take on roles in acclaimed films outside the blockbuster realm. He proved there was much more to his talents than just swashbuckling action heroics. From sci-fi epics to documentaries, Ford has shown fearless dedication to his craft.
Ford’s ability to balance big franchise films with serious dramatic work has inspired many modern actors, including Daniel Radcliffe. After achieving massive fame as Harry Potter, Radcliffe sought a similar career path of mixing popcorn entertainments with riskier independent films. Like Ford, he didn’t want to get pigeonholed in one type of role.
At 78, Ford remains a rare living Hollywood legend who can fill any size screen with just his presence alone. While playing Han Solo was the role that introduced the world to Ford’s talents, his career has lasted over five decades due to taking ownership of his choices. Ford didn’t let any one character define him, but rather used that platform to showcase his versatility in a wide range of beloved films. He proved there is life for an actor after starring in a mega-popular franchise.
In the end, Harrison Ford’s success lies not in any one role, but in his full body of work across genres, tones and decades. He left an indelible mark on cinema history thanks to his memorable performances, not just as Han Solo. That iconic character was the spark that lit Ford’s career, but it was his own talent and instincts that formed him into one of the true legends of Hollywood.
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