“32 Years Ago: 5 Stars from Kevin Costner to Michael Douglas Who Nearly Replaced Ford in The Fugitive”
Before Harrison Ford: 5 Hollywood A-Listers Who Nearly Starred in The Fugitive
Celebrating its 32nd anniversary this August, The Fugitive (1993) remains a high watermark in the action-thriller genre. Led by Harrison Ford as the wrongly accused Dr. Richard Kimble, and directed by Andrew Davis, the film brought intensity, emotion, and suspense to the big screen—earning both critical acclaim and massive box office success.
But Ford wasn’t always the studio’s first pick.
Before the Indiana Jones icon took on the role, several major stars were in talks to lead the film adaptation of the 1960s TV series. Among them? A-list names like Michael Douglas, Kevin Costner, Alec Baldwin, Andy Garcia, and Nick Nolte.
A List of Almost-Kimbles
The Fugitive tells the story of Dr. Kimble, a respected Chicago surgeon who is falsely convicted of murdering his wife. After a daring escape, he races against time to find the real killer, all while being hunted by relentless U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard, played by Tommy Lee Jones.
While Ford ultimately delivered one of his most grounded and emotionally resonant performances, several other stars were close to landing the part:
- Alec Baldwin was reportedly offered the role but turned it down due to a salary disagreement. At the time, Baldwin was known for portraying CIA analyst Jack Ryan.
- Nick Nolte declined, reportedly feeling he was too old for the physically demanding role.
- Kevin Costner, then riding high from hits like Dances with Wolves and The Bodyguard, was considered—but scheduling conflicts pushed him out.
- Michael Douglas, known for his dramatic range and box office clout, was also on the shortlist.
- Andy Garcia, another leading man of the era, was briefly in talks as well.
Each of these actors brought something different to the table, but it was Ford’s unique blend of vulnerability and intensity that proved to be the perfect match.
Ford and Jones: The Perfect On-Screen Pairing
While Ford anchored the film with emotional depth, it was Tommy Lee Jones who delivered the surprise breakout performance as Marshal Gerard. Jones’ dry wit and relentless determination made his character instantly iconic—and provided a perfect counterbalance to Ford’s haunted fugitive.
Ironically, Jones didn’t expect much from the film. According to co-star Joe Pantoliano, Jones once remarked:
“It’s not like anyone is going to win any awards for this film.”
Fate had other plans.
The Fugitive racked up seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Jones walked away with the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, as well as a Golden Globe—proving his own prediction hilariously wrong.
A Legacy That Endures
With a global gross of $353.8 million on a $44 million budget, The Fugitive wasn’t just a critical darling—it was a box office juggernaut. It later spawned a spinoff film, U.S. Marshals (1998), with Jones reprising his role.
Looking back 32 years later, it’s hard to imagine anyone but Harrison Ford playing Richard Kimble. But Hollywood history is full of near-misses—and this one just happened to work out for the best.
