'Indiana Jones 5' Cast Speculations: Harrison Ford Not First Choice for 'Indiana Jones' Movie, Search for Fresh Face
Harrison Ford has been the face of Indian Jones franchise since its inception. However, not many know that Ford was not the first choice for the Steven Spielberg's 1981 Indiana Jones flick. Apparently, the actor who was chosen for the role was Tom Selleck.
"Star Wars" creator George Lucas who had co-written 1981 "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark" reportedly did not want Ford to be in another film he wrote.
Ford had already worked with Lucas on "Star Wars" movies and the latter wanted a fresh face for "Indiana Jones" franchise.
"I said, 'oh Steven [Spielberg], he's been in two of my movies. I don't want him to be my Bobby De Niro,'" Lucas said about Ford being casted in "Making Of" featurette.
The screen test was set for Selleck and both Lucas and Spielberg thought that he completely suited the part. However, Selleck could not play the part as he was already in contract with CBS for a detective show "Magnum P.I."
"They [Spielberg and Lucas] held the offer out for about a month," Selleck told in the Late Show with David Letterman. "The more they held out the offer and talked to the network the more the network said no... so I had to kind of move on."
Though "Magnum P.I" earned Selleck an Emmy, the success of Indian Jones franchise was incomparable. Though, regarding Ford being the lead, Lucas did say something about the actor in the Bonus feature of the film.
"He was perfect for the part. I can't imagine anybody else in that part," reported Business Insider.
However, the fact that Lucas did not want Ford to be the face of "Indiana Jones" in first place has made fans wonder about the latter playing the lead in "Indiana Jones 5." Could it happen that Tom Selleck plays the lead in "Indiana Jones 5" or could there be a fresh face for the part?
For more updates on "Indiana Jones 5" stay tuned.