'Who The Hell Is Harrison Ford?': Ridley Scott Reveals Financiers' Reaction During Blade Runner Casting

'Who The Hell Is Harrison Ford?': Ridley Scott Reveals Financiers' Reaction During Blade Runner Casting

Director Ridley Scott recently disclosed that financiers initially questioned casting Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner, despite his success as Han Solo.

By Amanda Lee Swanson

Published Jan 22, 2025

'Who The Hell Is Harrison Ford?': Ridley Scott Reveals Financiers' Reaction During Blade Runner Casting

Table of Contents

  • Casting Challenges and Decisions
  • On-Set Tensions and Creative Differences
  • Evolving Reception and Legacy

In a recent interview with GQ magazine, director Ridley Scott stated that during the casting of the 1982 science fiction classic Blade Runner, financiers were initially concerned of casting Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard, the lead character. Despite Ford's growing fame from his performance as Han Solo in Star Wars, the financiers reportedly questioned Scott's decision, asking, “Who the fuck is Harrison Ford?” 

Are you kidding me? Harrison Ford was a well-known figure in the industry at the time, having appeared in two Star Wars films, A New Hope and the Star Wars Holiday Special. Despite these two major accomplishments, he was well-known in this industry.


Casting Challenges and Decisions

Before Ford was cast as Deckard, several actors were considered, including Dustin Hoffman, Tommy Lee Jones, and Al Pacino. Scott's casting decision was influenced by the actor's previous success and his ability to bring depth to the complex character of Deckard.  


Evolving Reception and Legacy

Blade Runner received mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office upon its release, but it eventually gained recognition as a seminal work in science fiction cinema, with Ford's portrayal of Deckard being particularly praised. The film's legacy was further cemented with the release of Blade Runner 2049 in 2017, in which Ford reprised his role, reflecting a renewed appreciation for the original film and its impact on the genre.


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