Before Harrison Ford Was Cast inBlade Runner, Director Ridley Scott Was Asked 'Who the F---' He Was

Mar. 15, 2025

Harrison Ford on the set of “Blade Runner” in 1982.Photo:Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty

While he may be a household name now,Harrison Fordwas once such an unknown that financiers questioned who he even was when he was cast as Rick Deckard in the 1982 filmBlade Runner.

In a new retrospective interview forGQmagazine, filmmaker Ridley Scott said he had to convince those funding his film that Ford was a good choice as the leading man.

Ford had already appeared in big films at the time ofBladerunner’scasting — including as Han Solo in 1977’sStar Warsand as Indiana Jones inRaiders of the Lost Arkin 1981 — but according to Scott, he was not yet “a star.”

“He had just finished flying the Millennium Falcon inStar Wars,” the director toldGQ. “I remember my financiers saying, ‘Who the f— is Harrison Ford?’ And I said, ‘You’re going to find out.’ So Harry became my leading man.”

A scene from 1982’s ‘Blade Runner’.Warner Bros./Archive Photos/Getty

Warner Bros./Archive Photos/Getty

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During a 2023 interview withEmpire, Scott said that he “should have” signed on to directBlade Runner 2049— the 2017 sequel to his 1982 sci-fi cult classic — instead of making a different creative choice.

“I shouldn’t have had to make that decision,” said Scott at the time. “But I had to. I should have doneBlade Runner 2.”

Instead, Scott madeAlien: Covenant, a sequel to his 2012 filmPrometheus.

Scott is set to executive produce the upcoming Prime Video seriesBlade Runner 2099.

Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh is set to star in the series.

source: people.com