Roles Almost Played by Kevin Costner and Harrison Ford
Many filmmakers have learned the hard way that shooting on open water can be a logistical nightmare. From James Cameron to Steven Spielberg, even the most seasoned directors have faced immense challenges when choosing to set their stories at sea. Equipment failures, schedule delays, and unpredictable weather have all made ocean-bound shoots infamously difficult — and yet, filmmakers continue to dive in, drawn to the water’s cinematic potential.
Over the years, countless actors have found themselves swept up in these aquatic adventures, while others have narrowly dodged the bullet. One such actor is Harrison Ford, who, at one point, was nearly attached to one of the most ambitious (and infamous) water-based projects of all time — Waterworld.
Known for his legendary roles as Han Solo and Indiana Jones, Ford has long been the poster child for high-octane adventure. But those roles came at a cost, with the actor racking up injuries and enduring physically demanding shoots in caves, jungles, and ancient ruins. So when another treacherous project surfaced — this time set entirely on water — Ford made the wise decision to steer clear.
That project, of course, was Waterworld. While it would eventually go on to star Kevin Costner, Ford was once considered for the lead. As it turns out, Costner — never one to shy away from a risk — initially had a very different vision for the character. In early drafts, the protagonist wasn’t the mutated, gill-sporting drifter audiences saw on screen.
“I have to confess I was thinking of Harrison Ford,” Costner revealed. “That was one of the brilliant additions of the writers who came after me. I was writer number one of five, and the most significant contributions came from David Twohy. He had this idea of creating this mutation who would have webbed feet and gills. I thought that was brilliant and added a whole new level to the character I hadn’t conceived of initially.”
It’s intriguing to imagine Ford in the role, but according to reports, Spielberg himself — who had worked closely with Ford on several iconic films — advised against taking it. Spielberg was well aware of the headaches that came with water-based productions and allegedly urged Costner to abandon the film altogether.
Despite the warnings, Costner pressed on, and Waterworld became one of the most expensive films ever made at the time. Though it flopped upon release, it has since gained a cult following — and remains a bold, if flawed, testament to Costner’s uncompromising vision.
In the end, fate kept Ford and Costner on separate paths, with Waterworld marking a defining moment in Costner’s career and a narrowly avoided detour for Ford.
