Harrison Ford Took On the Role of Indiana Jones After Tom Selleck Declined

BLUE BLOODS Star Tom Selleck Missed Indiana Jones Role Due to MAGNUM, P.I. Commitment

Tom Selleck narrowly missed out on the iconic role of Indiana Jones because of his commitment to the hit show MAGNUM, P.I. Karen Allen, who portrayed Marion Ravenwood in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, explained to Fox News Digital, “Tom had already filmed a pilot for MAGNUM, P.I. before he was offered Indiana Jones. When a pilot gets picked up, you’re under contract. They chose his option, which meant he couldn’t take the Indiana Jones role. I was already cast as Marion, but the search for Indiana Jones was still on.”

“Tom wasn’t just a contender; he was actually cast,” Allen revealed. “I’ve run into him several times since, and I think one of his biggest regrets is missing the chance to play Indiana Jones.”

IGN reported that while Selleck turned down the role due to his commitment to the TV show, an actors’ strike ultimately delayed MAGNUM, P.I., meaning he could have filmed RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK after all.

However, following Selleck’s decision, Steven Spielberg advocated for Harrison Ford to step into the role. “They knew him well from the STAR WARS films,” Allen noted. “George Lucas was also involved with RAIDERS. Initially, they didn’t see Harrison as the obvious choice since he was already Han Solo. But it worked out brilliantly.”

Despite not being the first choice, Ford’s portrayal of Indiana Jones became legendary. Allen reflected on their different approaches to acting: “I came from a theater background, so I was used to rehearsing and collaborating closely with other actors. Harrison preferred to work more independently. I quickly adapted to his style, even though I was used to diving into rehearsals.”

“We spent about four months shooting together,” she added. “It was a lot of fun, and our differences didn’t hinder our work. I had to adjust to a more solitary preparation style, which was a skill I hadn’t developed before. Theater actors typically thrive on rehearsal and improvisation, but he preferred to study his lines alone.”

The INDIANA JONES franchise soared after RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK received an Oscar nomination, leading to four more films, including the recent INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY, which grossed $174.4 million domestically, ranking as the sixteenth highest-grossing film of the year.

Reflecting on his casting, Ford told Deadline, “Tom Selleck had the role, but his commitment to a television series prevented him from taking it. I was the second choice, and I’m very grateful to Tom. If you’re listening, thank you again.”

Ford shared how he secured the role after receiving a script from George Lucas. “He told me, ‘I want you to read it right away, and I want your thoughts in an hour.’ I read it and then went to meet Steven Spielberg, whom I had never met before. About an hour later, I had the job.”

“Dressed in a leather jacket and heavy felt hat, I thought, ‘This guy is an archeologist and a professor—what more do you need to know?’” Ford added. “And he carries a whip. You know what that means.”