Al Pacino Claims He 'Gave Harrison Ford a Career' By Turning Down a Role in Cult $10B Franchise
The script seemed to be too difficult for the cult actor to understand.
In George Lucas' legendary Star Wars epic, Han Solo could have been played by Al Pacino, not Harrison Ford. In 1972, Pacino gained worldwide popularity after The Godfather was released on the big screen.
Since then, he was showered with offers and new projects. As the actor himself joked, he could even play the British Queen Elizabeth II if he wanted to.
Among other scripts, the story of Han Solo fell into the hands of Al Pacino. The plot seemed confusing and incomprehensible to the actor, and after reading it he announced that he would not participate in the filming.
Instead of him, Harrison Ford was cast for the role.
At that time, he worked as a carpenter and took only the first steps in the cinema. Ford starred in Lucas' American Graffiti and then made doors on the Star Wars set.
The director took a closer look and included the carpenter in the casting.
"They gave me a script called 'Star Wars.' … They offered me so much money. I don't understand it. I read it. … So I said I couldn't do it. I gave Harrison Ford a career," the actor revealed during his interview with Variety.
In 1977, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope was released. With a budget of $11 million, it grossed mora than $500 million at the worldwide box office, earning back its production costs on its opening weekend.
The franchise has become one of the most popular in movie history, with fans eagerly awaiting each new installment.
Currently, the total box office for all Star Wars movies is over $10 billion.
Harrison Ford has starred in many other adventure and drama movies, but until now, when he stepped on stage, it was to the music of Star Wars. Well, it turns out fans kind of have Al Pacino to thank for that.
In the same year, 1977, Al Pacino starred in a movie called Bobby Deerfield. It grossed only $9 million and was not well received by critics or viewers.
However, Al Pacino, who played the title role, received a Golden Globe nomination.
The actor apparently does not regret missing out on a role in the legendary franchise, and anyone can understand why by looking at his spectacular filmography.
Source: Variety