17 things you didn’t know about Harrison Ford and Star Wars
The release of Star Wars captivated audiences around the world in 1977. Today things are no different. The Star Wars trilogies are fan favourites for a reason. They are filled with imaginative storylines, action, drama and intriguing characters.
Han Solo is many fans’ favourite character. Harrison Ford portrays Han’s cool cockiness effortlessly. For many fans he is Star Wars. These 17 facts honour Harrison Ford and his iconic role of Han Solo. They include behind the scenes photos from the films.
1. Uncertain returns
Han Solo was frozen in carbonite in The Empire Strikes Back partly because the producers were unsure whether Harrison Ford would return in the next film. He was not yet signed on for Return of the Jedi.
2. The paycheck
Harrison Ford was paid $10,000 for Star Wars in 1977. That would be about $39,247.19 today.
3. Partying with the Stones
Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher were still drunk from partying with the Rolling Stones when they filmed the Cloud City landing in The Empire Strikes Back.
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4. The famous ad-lib
In The Empire Strikes Back Han Solo was scripted to say “I love you, too” to Princess Leia. Harrison Ford thought it was not in character for Han Solo. Instead he ad-libbed the famous “I know.”
5. Roadie for The Doors
Harrison Ford was a stagehand for The Doors. About quitting he said he could not keep up with those guys and it was too much.
6. Into the Great Unknown
There is a non-canon Star Wars comic called Into the Great Unknown. Han Solo and Chewbacca crash into Earth after using Hyperspace blindly. Native Americans kill Han. His body is discovered by Indiana Jones 126 years later while searching for Sasquatch. The creature turns out to be Chewbacca.
7. The other Harrison Ford
There was a silent film actor named Harrison Ford whose last movie was in 1932. To avoid confusion modern-day Harrison Ford was billed as Harrison J. Ford until 1970. He does not actually have a middle name.
8. Killing off Han
Harrison Ford found Han Solo boring and advocated killing him off while filming Return of the Jedi. George Lucas denied his request. Lucas said dead Han toys would not sell.
9. Search and rescue
Harrison Ford is a private pilot of both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. He owns a helicopter and uses it for search and rescue missions.
10. Episode III cameo
Han Solo was originally supposed to appear in Star Wars: Episode III living among the wookies on Kashyyk.
11. Scientific names
Harrison Ford is an environmental activist. He has inspired the scientific names of both an ant (Pheidole harrisonfordi) and spider (Calponia harrisonfordi) species. Ford was also asked to name a new species of butterfly. He named it after his daughter Georgia.
12. Who shot first
When asked who shot first Harrison Ford once replied that he did not know and did not care.
13. Trailer narration
Harrison Ford narrated the original trailer for The Empire Strikes Back out of character.
14. Casting alternatives
George Lucas considered both Christopher Walken and Nick Nolte for the role of Han Solo.
15. E.T. cameo
Harrison Ford’s ex-wife Melissa Mathison wrote the screenplay for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. He played the school principal in the film but the scene was cut.
16. Presidential friendship
Harrison Ford is good friends with Bill Clinton.
The thought of Harrison rocking with the Doors somehow makes me feel very happy and very jealous I couldn’t have seen it.
Ford didn’t play the principal, he played the science teacher that was trying to teach the kids how to euthanize the frogs. You don’t see his face, but his voice is unmistakable.
Harrison Ford is very able bodied, strong, and handsome. Why would I be surprised of what he can do. Many men of that time did work for extra cash back then. It’s being in the right place at the right time.
I am not surprised. Harrison Ford is a smart and a strong young man. Doing work for cash when you were young was expected. Good things come to those who work hard.